“Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence and relate to one another.” (Myers&Twenge,2017, p.2) How do we perceive and look at other people in our family, those we work with. I work with a variety of people, some of these people come from a background that I cannot understand because I never grew up around that. It doesn’t mean I cannot see them as a person and value their thoughts and ideas. We are all unique individuals and that is what makes the world go around. One thing that stands out to me as I begin this class is that “social psychology’s principles are applicable to everyday life.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.4) “Social psychology is all about life, your life; your beliefs, your attitudes, your relationships.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.7) One example of this principle is how you deal with a situation in your life. Now there are several factors that come into play to determine how you act. One factor is the players involved. Another factor is your attitude. What the outcome of that situation is determined by those factors in your life.
All areas of psychology require some type of research methods. Anytime something is researched there are a variety of ways that can be done. It can be done by a controlled situation such as in a laboratory or it can be done out it in the field as in our everyday life. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.15) I really needed to delve a little deeper into this because it took me a minute to try to understand the differences and similarities between correlational or experimental. I finally understood what the difference of these two are.
In correlational research nothing is added/deleted or changed to get a result. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.15) An example would be whether cats with yellow eyes can see better at night versus cats with green eyes. Nothing was changed to get the result I wanted. In experimental research, something is added or deleted to get the desired result. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.15) This type of research can give a variety of results determined by how much or how little the data is manipulated. Adding too much sugar to Kool-Aid can make it so sweet that it is undrinkable. Adding just the right amount makes it the best Kool-Aid ever. Life is a series of research. Changing just one small thing can change the outcome of our lives. Social psychology is a part of every aspect of our lives. That is mind blowing!
127 our experts are availableright now
Our self is where it all begins. Most of us want to believe that others are more important, but the reality is that if it was between you and someone else, you would pick yourself. Most people would unless it was a loved one, of course. Self-concept is “what we know and believe about ourselves.” (Myers&Twenge,2017, p.31) As I was reading about social comparisons it took me back to my time in high school. I was a bit of a nerd, I will admit it. But there I was trying to fit in and “win over” the friendship of those that I felt were the popular kids. I was a chubby, nerdy girl who came from an average middle-class family. I had friends, but they were nerdy just like I was.
My family didn’t have any extra money because there were four siblings. I can remember feeling like I was less important than those popular kids because I wasn’t a teacher’s kid, or I didn’t have the best clothes. As I got older, I realized that your self-worth is not determined by the materialistic things but what is one the inside. Try telling that to my junior or senior high self. My perception of those “popular kids” was off though. What I was feeling they were feeling on a greater level because they had to keep themselves relevant to their peers and everyone else.
The other talks about independent and interdependent cultures. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p36) With an individualistic society what matters is me whereas a collectivist society focuses on we the group, the whole. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.36) This makes me think of America and our mentality compared to other countries. In America most people think of themselves first and foremost and others second. An example of this is I saw a woman sitting outside Dollar General as I went inside. I did my shopping and came back outside, and I put my bags in my car.
I got in and I felt such an overwhelming feeling to help this woman. I proceeded to give her the money I had in my pocket which was about $10. She was so grateful and began crying and thanking me. My son looked at me as we were driving home and said, “You know she is going to buy drugs with that money, mom.” I felt such a sadness because I felt like I had failed him as his mother. But that was a teaching moment for me. We need to help each other not put each other down. America needs to rally around its people and protect them like other countries do.
Self-esteem is “a person’s overall self-evaluation or sense of self-worth.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.42) A lot of young people today do not have self-esteem. I will admit I did not have self-esteem when I was younger. It took a lot of years for me to get there. Part of knowing our self is knowing about self-esteem. Doing good in school and getting good grades boosts a child’s self-esteem. This is evident in junior and senior high students. “People low in self-esteem are more vulnerable to anxiety, loneliness, and eating disorders.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.45)
Is there any wonder why there has been an increase in teen suicides? As I read this statement about self-esteem, I was shocked. Although I know and understand the correlation between self-esteem and feelings of not being good enough, it made me stop and think of ways we can change that. Since my son has started sixth grade, I am constantly giving him pep talks and letting him know he is special and smart (things all moms do I’m sure!) kids have a hard-enough time with hormones and self-esteem, they need to know that they have someone in their corner.
I would say one of the most important parts of the self would be self-presentation. “Self-presentation is the act of expressing one self and behaving in ways designed to create a favorable impression over an impression that corresponds to one’s ideals.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p.56) In this day and age it is all about how you present yourself. Social media has helped in that regard. You are in control of what is seen on your Facebook or Instagram accounts.
There is the conscious mind that we must think about and then there is the unconscious or automatic mind. (Myers&Twenge,2017,p65) I can wake up each morning, get dressed for work, make my lunch (after I think what I want to eat) and drive to work. Those are things I must think about. Whereas moving my arm or opening my eyes or breathing are all things that are automatic. As long as you are a healthy individual, those are things that do not require you to think about the motions. “We respond not to reality as it is but to reality as we construe it.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p77)
As people we usually take first impressions as how people really are. Sometimes that changes as we get to know them. I have a friend that I have had since I had my first job. I really did not like her because I thought she was a know it all. The reality was she did know the job more than the rest of us. As I got to know her my perception of her changed that is what happens sometimes; as we change sometimes perception changes. Sometimes though we change. How we feel about things change.
Attitudes are “beliefs and feelings related to a person or an event.” (Myers&Twenge,2017,p98) Sometimes as humans we hide what we truly think about a person or a situation. As I read through the chapter on attitudes, I was taken aback of how many times in my own life I have hid what I truly was thinking or feeling. Many times, I walk down the hallway at work and someone asks how are you. The instinctive answer is I’m good. The truth is some days I am not, but it is easier than telling the truth.
