Learning Journal Reflections - Assignment Example

Student Name: Tutor: Title: Learning Journal Course: Introduction A learning journal is simply a scholarly reflective journal. The learning journal assists in raising self-awareness about my learning, translating activities and experiences into learning, and developing intellectual, critical and scholarly thinking skills. Evidently a learning journal is an important item to be grounded in the learning curriculum. I have to complete a Learning Journal in the study of social psychology since it would accurately show how I have understood the thinks that have been covered in class by the lecturer and how class discussions have contributed to my understanding of topics covered. I hope this assignment will bring out by analysis skills and make me view deeply on the aspects of the topics that have been chosen. By the end of the exercise I would have become a better student of social psychology. Under the topic self and Identity I have chosen the aspect of self-esteem, under the topic prejudice and discrimination I have chosen the aspect of Prejudice: Subtle or Overt. The last topic is attraction and close relationship and I have chosen the aspect of whether the internet creates intimacy or isolation. Self and Identity: Self-esteem Which aspect of the topic interested me most? Why? I was fascinated with the aspect of self-esteem and the many revelations that dawned on me during the lessons. It was an eye-opening topic. This aspect is interesting because it touches on real life and affects people’s behaviors in the society. What are the main concepts related to this aspect? People want self-esteem that they can be motivated to enhance. However, self-esteem that is inflated is not good. Specific self-perceptions have an impact. If one thinks that he is good at a given subject, he will be more likely to do well in that subject. Nevertheless, general self-esteem does not foretell academic performance accurately. Doing well at science makes one think he is good at sciences which will motivates him or her to do better. In order to motivate someone to do better, it is good to praise his specific and not general. It is should not be unrealistic optimism but rather based on true ability and performance. Feedback is contrastive if it is specific and true and will encourage the person it is directed to. Self-esteem threats happen among friends, whose achievements can be more threatening as compared to that of strangers (Griffin, 2013, p.53). They can also happen among married partner. Whereas shared interests are healthy, career goals that are identical may breed jealousy and tension. When a partner outperforms an individual in a domain that is important to both of their identities, the threat may be reduced through affirming the relationship through positive reference. Self-esteem gauge warns individuals with regard threatened social rejection hence making people to act with more sensitivity towards the expectations of others. Social rejection lower self-esteem and makes people eager for approval. Jilted or spurned, one feels inadequate or unattractive. The pain can motivate action, self-improvement as well as search for inclusion and acceptance elsewhere. Relationships enable thriving and surviving. People having low self esteem more often than not, abuse drugs, make less money, and have chances of being victims of depression. Low self-esteem can also be as a result of experienced sexual abuse, poverty in childhood or parents who abused drugs. A tough childhood can be a cause of low self esteem. Some studies have shown a relationship between low self-esteem and antisocial behavior. However, further studies have revealed that the correlation between low self-esteem and antisocial behavior dwindled when other factors like sexual abuse and other behavioral challenges were considered. I learnt so many things about the self esteem (Snyder, 2006). High self-esteem has benefits. It fosters resilience, pleasant feelings and initiative. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? Teen males who engage in sexual escapades at an ‘inappropriately young age’ tend to possess higher level of self-esteem. High self-esteem tends to be problematic if it translates into narcissism or possessing an inflated sense of self! A sense of self esteem can foster a good relationship when partners feel that they belong. Self control is important even in the face of increased self-esteem (Griffin, 2013, p.54). How is this aspect relevant to my social world? I have come to understand why we have sibling rivalry and why other partners complement each other so well. Studies have shown that people who score highly on narcissist’s personality measure also so score highly when it comes to self-esteem. Understanding this aspect will enhance my effective interaction with people and I will be able to deal with different talents and gifts among my peers. Prejudice & Discrimination: Prejudice: Subtle and Overt Which aspect of the topic interested me most? Why? The aspect of Prejudice: Subtle and overt triggered my curiosity. I was eager to learn why people are quick to judge others before learning about them. Prejudiced attitudes and stereotyped beliefs exist owing to social conditioning and because they make individuals to displace hostilities, but also as a result of normal thinking processes. This aspect is highly misunderstood and I really wanted to know the truth about prejudice. What are the main concepts related to this aspect? Many stereotypes come up from the malice of the heart as opposed to the machinery of the mind. Compared with perceptual illusions which are normally by-products of a knack of the world interpretation, stereotypes is a by-product of how the complex world is simplified by individuals (Pedersen, 2005) Stereotypes portray cognitive efficiency. Stereotypes are schemes that are energy saving for making quick judgments and predictions on how others will act as well as think. People find it easy and efficient to rely on stereotypes when they are tired, preoccupied, pressed for time, too young to appreciate diversity or emotionally aroused. Sex and ethnicity are powerful ways in which people are categorized. Experiments demonstrate spontaneous categorization of people according to race. People cannot resist categorizing others into groups. People with wide varying ancestry are simply referred to as ‘white’ or ‘black’. Such categorization provides a foundation for prejudice (Plous, 2000). Once people are assigned to groups the similarities among them are likely to be exaggerated. Whether a decision is made by a designated group or a majority rule, people tend to presume that it presents the attitudes of the entire group. Researchers studying stereotyping observe that prejudicial reactions are not inevitable. The motivation to keep away from prejudice can make people to modify their actions and thoughts. Whereas there has been a transformation with regard to the impact of racism on the well-being of Indigenous Australians, some studies observe that the perception of the community negativity largely relates to Indigenous people’s suicidal behavior, mental health challenges, police problems, non-prescribed drug use, and prison experiences. One Perth study demonstrated that about half of a sample of Indigenous children between the age of 8 and 12 years perceived that the wider community was not fond of them. Indigenous children are apparently becoming aware of racism at a very young age. Various forms of racism have been discussed. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? Individual racism involves personal prejudices, attitudes and behaviors held by groups and an individual towards members belonging to another group. Individuals hold beliefs and values that members belonging to the other group are inferior and such attributes like physical appearance are important (Pedersen, 2005, p.171). Institutionalized racism comprises of the policies, systems and practices of organizations in society that isolate member of the minority groups. Cultural racism comprises of ideas and value beliefs or worldviews that are entrenched in a culture and are viewed as superior to worldviews held by groups from other cultures. There is no appreciation of the basic importance of indigenous culture and family or community obligations in the Australian mainstream society. How is this aspect relevant to my social world? A huge population of Australians possesses false beliefs concerning Indigenous Australians. I learnt a lot about prejudice and what role it plays in the modern society. Misunderstandings have lead to creation of barriers between people from different cultures. Understanding prejudice will help me to bridge the gap and society and appreciate differences among people. Attraction & Close Relationships: Does the Internet create intimacy or isolation? Which aspect of the topic interested me most? Why? There has been a lot of hype and misconception about internet dating as compared to offline face-to-face interaction. The role of the internet in building successful relationship made me to be very keen on the aspect on the internet and whether it was creating isolation or intimacy. What are the main concepts related to this aspect? As commercial dating sites grow to be increasingly accepted as a way of triggering romantic relationships, more and more couples are meeting online (Miller, 1997). Industry report in 2011 showed that about 25 million users around the globe accessed an online dating site. Online dating sites spend millions of dollars every year trying to promote services offered. Millions of users spend not only their money on subscriptions and membership, but they also invest their considerable time on these sites. It is estimated that users averagely twenty-two minutes each time a dating site online. The study also suggests that they spend close to 12 hours per week engrossed in computer-related online dating actions (Finkel et al, 2012, p.5). This represents a huge allocation of time that would have been spent on other activities such as offline interactions. These costs in money and time are okay if online dating offers enhanced and cost-effective access to romantic relationships that turn out to be successful. Online dating involves learning about a broad range of facts of the potential partner before deciding whether or not to meet the person. Certain types of online dating involve placing an individual’s romantic fate in the hands of matching algorithm that is mathematical. Online dating has some advantages as compared to conventional offline dating. For instance, it provides unprecedented (and superbly convenient) degrees of access to potential partners, which is essential for singles that may not be exposed to such access. It also permits users to garner an initial sense of their compatibility with their potential partners before reaching the point of meeting them face-to-face (Finkel et al, 2012, p.3) Moreover, some dating sites are able to gather data that permit them to bar people who may not turn out to be good relationship partners. However, ways in which online dating sites implement service of communication, matching and access do not always guarantee improvement in romantic outcomes. In some instances they end up undermining such outcomes. With regard to access, meeting potential partners through online dating profiles transforms three dimensional people to mere two dimensional presentations of information. These presentations do not capture those experiential factors of social interaction that are vital to examination of an individual’s compatibility with his/her potential partner. The ready access to a wide range of potential partners can precipitate an evaluative mind-set that is also assessment-oriented leading to online daters objectifying potential partners and it would even undermine their ability and willingness to stick to one potential partner (Vaughan & Hogg, 2011). People can make lazy as well as ill-advised decisions when selecting among a large pool of potential partners. Although online daters can benefit from short-term computer-mediated-communication (CMC) with potential partners prior to meeting them in person, long durations of CMC before meeting face-to-face may in reality hurt people’s romantic expectations. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect? People are likely to over-interpret the social cues that represented in CMC. If CMC continues incessantly, subsequent face-to-face encounters can result into nasty expectancy violations. CMC does not have the richness of face-to-face encounters hence some information with regard to the potential partner may not be gleaned from CMC alone. Most people will love to meet a potential partner in person in order to incorporate their face-to-face and CMC impressions into a coherent whole before proceeding into a romantic relationship (Finkel et al, 2012, p.3). The capability of mathematical algorithms to produce enhanced romantic outcomes has not been supported with compelling evidence. There is no evidence that romantic outcomes are fostered. Online dating has radically transformed the dating landscape since its introduction about 2 decades ago. How is this aspect relevant to my social world? I was able to understand the differences between face-to-face dating and online dating as well as analyze their advantages and disadvantages. I have also understood the evolution that has taken place in the realm of dating over the years. Conclusion This Learning Journal has made me to appreciate many things that I have learnt and understood in social psychology. It has given me an opportunity to review what we have learnt on my own and draw clear conclusions that will help me to be a better person in the society. I have reviewed the aspects of the topics with an open mind without being judgmental. The journal is vital as a supplementary reading material that can be useful during revision. It has also dwelled on important points without retracing many examples and preambles used in the real text. However, the journal is brief and does not present the discussed aspects in details. It can be successfully be used if the topics have already been covered elsewhere. The assignment has attained what I intended since I have precisely reviewed what we covered in class to demonstrate my understanding of various aspects. References Finkel, EJ, Eastwick, PW, Karney, BR, Reis, HT & Sprecher, S 2012, 'Online dating: A critical perspective of psychological science’, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 3-66. Griffin, T. (Ed.), 2013, 101557: The Individual in Society. (2nd ed.). North Ryde, NSW: McGraw-Hill Australia. Miller, RW 1997, 'We always hurt the ones we love: aversive interactions in close relationships', in RM Kowalski, Aversive interpersonal behaviors, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 11-29. Pedersen, A, Clarke, S, Dudgeon, P & Griffiths, B 2005, 'Attitudes toward Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers: the role of false beliefs and other social-psychological variables', Australian Psychologist, vol.40, no. 3, pp. 170-8. Plous, S 2000, 'Responding to overt displays of prejudice: a role-playing exercise', Teaching of Psychology, vol.27, no. 3, pp. 198-200. Snyder, M 2006, 'The many me's of the self-monitor', in WA Lesko (ed.), Readings in social psychology: general, classic, and contemporary selections, 6th edn, Pearson, Boston, MA, pp. 137-43. Vaughan GM & Hogg, MA 2011, 'Language and communication', in Social psychology, 6th edn, Frenchs Forest, NSW, Pearson Education Australia, pp. 384-409. Read More

Jilted or spurned, one feels inadequate or unattractive. The pain can motivate action, self-improvement as well as search for inclusion and acceptance elsewhere. Relationships enable thriving and surviving. People having low self esteem more often than not, abuse drugs, make less money, and have chances of being victims of depression. Low self-esteem can also be as a result of experienced sexual abuse, poverty in childhood or parents who abused drugs. A tough childhood can be a cause of low self esteem.

Some studies have shown a relationship between low self-esteem and antisocial behavior. However, further studies have revealed that the correlation between low self-esteem and antisocial behavior dwindled when other factors like sexual abuse and other behavioral challenges were considered. I learnt so many things about the self esteem (Snyder, 2006). High self-esteem has benefits. It fosters resilience, pleasant feelings and initiative. What short quote from the text or reading illustrates an important point related to this aspect?

Teen males who engage in sexual escapades at an ‘inappropriately young age’ tend to possess higher level of self-esteem. High self-esteem tends to be problematic if it translates into narcissism or possessing an inflated sense of self! A sense of self esteem can foster a good relationship when partners feel that they belong. Self control is important even in the face of increased self-esteem (Griffin, 2013, p.54). How is this aspect relevant to my social world? I have come to understand why we have sibling rivalry and why other partners complement each other so well.

Studies have shown that people who score highly on narcissist’s personality measure also so score highly when it comes to self-esteem. Understanding this aspect will enhance my effective interaction with people and I will be able to deal with different talents and gifts among my peers. Prejudice & Discrimination: Prejudice: Subtle and Overt Which aspect of the topic interested me most? Why? The aspect of Prejudice: Subtle and overt triggered my curiosity. I was eager to learn why people are quick to judge others before learning about them.

Prejudiced attitudes and stereotyped beliefs exist owing to social conditioning and because they make individuals to displace hostilities, but also as a result of normal thinking processes. This aspect is highly misunderstood and I really wanted to know the truth about prejudice. What are the main concepts related to this aspect? Many stereotypes come up from the malice of the heart as opposed to the machinery of the mind. Compared with perceptual illusions which are normally by-products of a knack of the world interpretation, stereotypes is a by-product of how the complex world is simplified by individuals (Pedersen, 2005) Stereotypes portray cognitive efficiency.

Stereotypes are schemes that are energy saving for making quick judgments and predictions on how others will act as well as think. People find it easy and efficient to rely on stereotypes when they are tired, preoccupied, pressed for time, too young to appreciate diversity or emotionally aroused. Sex and ethnicity are powerful ways in which people are categorized. Experiments demonstrate spontaneous categorization of people according to race. People cannot resist categorizing others into groups.

People with wide varying ancestry are simply referred to as ‘white’ or ‘black’. Such categorization provides a foundation for prejudice (Plous, 2000). Once people are assigned to groups the similarities among them are likely to be exaggerated. Whether a decision is made by a designated group or a majority rule, people tend to presume that it presents the attitudes of the entire group. Researchers studying stereotyping observe that prejudicial reactions are not inevitable. The motivation to keep away from prejudice can make people to modify their actions and thoughts.

Whereas there has been a transformation with regard to the impact of racism on the well-being of Indigenous Australians, some studies observe that the perception of the community negativity largely relates to Indigenous people’s suicidal behavior, mental health challenges, police problems, non-prescribed drug use, and prison experiences.

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