Introduction: What is a learning journal? A learning journal is a narrow-scope of information focusing on the creating of a compilation of my notes from both my lectures and tutorials, detailing certain aspects of topics that have been interesting to me. The learning journal will help me further understand what I’ve learned in the term gone by. A learning journal is a reflection on my studies which is recorded in the form of questions, ideas, notes and passing thoughts I’ve had since first learning the subject.
Why am I completing a learning journal as part of my study of social psychology? I am completing this learning journal in order to better understand the content of this term’s work in studying social psychology by looking at real world applications and reflecting on my own experiences. These will help me realise how my perceptions of the social world have changed as a result of learning my coursework. This learning journal allows for me to have a better understanding of social interactions between individuals, groups and society. 3.
What do I hope to learn from this assignment? From this assignment I hope to learn essential skills that will help me gain a more profound knowledge in the ideas of my course to help interpret my own experiences into observations that will aid my preparation for the exam. As my assignment progresses, I hope I can use what I’ve discovered about the aspects of the topics in other facets of life and in later education. I also hope that by the end of the assignment, I will be able to efficiently reflect on individual observations of my social world at micro and meso levels. Body:
Which aspect of the topic has interested me most? Why? The aspect of the topic Self and Identity that was the most interesting was self-presentation. Self-presentation is the expression of an identity that would approved by a group or set of ideals in order to be accepted, expression includes behaviour such as dress and mannerisms. I was interested by this aspect because I could see how the information I had learned could be directly related to experiences I’ve had and I was curious to learn more about how an individual thinks, behaves and reacts to an environment and its change.
What are the main ideas, concepts and evidence related to this aspect? The main ideas, concepts and evidence related to self-presentation are that selfpresentation is a human need to be part of a group or society and recognises that the image we present to those we wish to be accepted by, must be favourable. This leads self-monitoring, awareness of their self-presentation and adjusting their behaviour where needed in certain social situations.
People with high levels of self-monitoring are often also highly-aware of their self-presentation and so are regularly adjusting their language and behaviour. This occurs to accommodate the internal evolutionary need to belong somewhere, in some group or society. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? “Self-presentation refers to our wanting to present a desired image to an external audience and to an internal audience. ” (Myers, 2013, p. 104) How has learning about this aspect changed or not changed my perspective of my social world?
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have been so conscious of my own self-presentation and I would’ve taken more notice of other’s self-presentation and the identity they’re trying to claim. What I’ve learned about self-presentation has changed how I’ll respond to similar situations in the future as I know how an identity is exhibited through self-presentation. I can now consider the various interpretations of my self-presentation and how that will affect those I interact and with and in turn, me. Barriers to this nclude a decrease in confidence as selfawareness increases and self-esteem becomes insecure as the possible implications of the self-presentation become a constant concern for the individual. This aspect is helpful in explaining why people behave in certain ways as it delves into the inner thought processes that is common across individuals and globalised. Which aspect of the topic has interested me most? Why? The aspect of the topic Prejudice and Discrimination that interested me most was the bystander effect.
I was interested by this aspect as I was disgusted at the results of the studies of the bystander effect (Latane & others 1968, 1969, 1975) and I felt there was no way I’d behave in the same way but I fear the bystander effect would apply to me too. A misinterpretation of information of the person’s situation, regardless of their background (a factor of other’s inclination to help), would stop me from helping a distressed person. 2. What are the main ideas, concepts and evidence related to this aspect?
The main ideas, concepts and evidence related to the bystander effect are the factors of a person stepping up to help a stranger in need. The factors that lead to the bystander effect transpiring are firstly, if the individual bystander notices the person in needs, interprets the event to be an emergency and they themselves assume the responsibility to take action or if they follow another’s cue. The death of Kitty Genovese in 1964 inspired research into the bystander effect, 38 people had witnessed Genovese’s attack but no one had taken it upon themselves to call the police who were only called after the attacker had fled.
John Darley and Bibb Latane extrapolated the characteristics of Kitty Genovese’s case at New York University to study the occurrence themselves. A woman would seizure in a controlled environment and it would be left to the subjects to decide how they react. Subjects who believed others had heard the same woman’s cry for help would help only 31% of the time whereas subject who believed no one was listening would seek help 85% of the time. A form of discrimination is the reluctance to help, this discrimination may stem from prejudices which then results in the bystander effect.
What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? “When norms for appropriate behaviour are well-defined, Whites don’t discriminate; when norms are ambiguous or conflicting, racial similarity may bias responses” (Saucier & others, 2005; cited by Myers, 2013, p. 338) 4. How has learning about this aspect changed or not changed my perspective of my social world? Which aspect of the topic has interested me most? Why? The aspect of the topic Attraction and Intimacy that interested me most was relationship breakdown.
I was interested by this aspect as I was curious of how a couple’s relationship would deteriorate and lead to a breakup or divorce. I was far more engrossed in the end stages of a relationship than the attraction stages and the building of the relationship stages as it was a topic l’d never thought about before but had experienced. 2. What are the main ideas, concepts and evidence related to this aspect? The main ideas, concepts and evidence related to the breakdown of relationships are that nearly half of all marriages in Western countries such as the united States or Canada end in divorce.
Collectivistic cultures on the other hand have a different set of values that dictate how a relationship should operate and be maintained. Individualistic cultures value their own feelings and ask themselves of their own opinions while collectivistic cultures focus of the external implications of a failed marriage such as other persons outside of the relationship and their opinions. Causes of relationship breakdown are partners often creating a toxic environment by commanding, criticising and disagreeing on a regular basis, also an incompatibility in childhood upbringing and experience, income, faith, age and ducation. These may also be characteristics of of enduring relationships but researchers (Fergusson & others 1984; Myers, 2000; Tzeng 1992) found that these factor correlate with failed relationships. the detachment process is another concept of relationship breakdown, the process become increasingly difficult for couples who’ve been together longer, are emotionally intimate and if there is a lack of alternative partners to move on with. There are three coping mechanisms that have come out in the breakdown of a relationship.
Exhibiting loyalty – staying with their partner in hopes the situation improves, neglect – being unattentive to partners and their needs and concede to the deterioration of the relationship and lastly, voicing their concerns – tackling the problems of the relationship head on and addressing issues which may mean seeking professional help such as a therapist. 3. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? “Comparing their unsatisfying relationship with the support and affection they imagine are available elsewhere. ” (Myers, 2013, p. 305)
