Significance of Myths and Misconceptions in the Discipline of Psychology - Essay Example

? PSYCHOLOGY PART B The present paper aims to explore the causes behind the people’s tendency of viewing the myths as truth without making analysis of the scientific validity and critical examination of the available statements about one thing or the other. The main objective behind conducting the research is the individuals’ submission to the established beliefs without taking into account the reasons for believing the same. These myths are generally related to the memory, perception and depression. The researcher aims to collect data from twenty respondents belonging to different age-groups, socioeconomic statuses, educational levels and genders in order to give representation to the individuals coming of divergent social strata. The people of age range from 25 to 55 years will be the units of analysis for the present study. The questionnaires should be delivered to the respondents through mail and e-mail, along with instruction page for filling the questionnaire. The research instrument will comprise of six questions, and the respondents would be requested to return the same after replying to all the questions. After the gathering of data, it would be compiled in tabular form in order to interpret the results and compile the findings, on the basis of which the suggestions would be made. Introduction Myths and misconceptions maintain imperative significance in the discipline of psychology. It has aptly been observed that people just believe in a statement provided it has been supported with the so called notion. Similarly, since majority of the individuals sticks to traditions, customs and conventions, they view it hard to refute the theory has been in vogue for the last many years. Consequently, the same notion is accepted to be true without making any investigation of the source from where it has been extracted or cited. For instance, Freud’s Oedipus complex theory, presented in the background of Sophocles’ play Oedipus the King, has been taken as a reality that the children have sexual attraction towards the parent of his/her opposite gender. Somehow, Kohut believes that the story’s most significant genetic feature is that Oedipus was a rejected child and a replacement is needed for the Oedipus myth. (Leaming et al., 2009) Moreover, it is a universally accepted perception that women appear to be more emotional and sentimental than men, and always prefer their feelings to intellect while making decisions in life. However, the experiences of real life counteract the very myth by nullifying it through researches, which state that observing of intellect or feelings has no strong association with the gender of the observer. Similarly, it is an extensively established myth, in the light of the theory articulated by 20th century American psychologist William James, that an overwhelming proportion of the individuals use up to 10% of his brain power throughout his life. Thus, 90% of the brain power remains unconsumed altogether. Somehow, no scientific research method or tool is available to endorse the same notion on humans. Consequently, myth has obtained the status of a proved theory, which is vehemently believed by the people without discrimination. Similarly, the people see eye to eye with the myth that expressing one’s anger through words is extremely supportive in mitigating the annoyance and thus turn the person cool and calm subsequently. It is therefore the therapists and counselors used to suggest the use of some object to be kicked and battered for releasing one’s anger. As Psychology Today (1983) asked, "If you could secretly push a button and thereby eliminate any person with no repercussions to yourself, would you press that button?" 69% of responding males said yes, 56% of women. However, in real life, people seldom take killing the other into serious consideration, and their anger calm down within moments or minutes. It is therefore the same myth has been counteracted with the latest theory that anger is sure to perish away after some time whether it is expressed or not. (Lohr, et al., 2007) Furthermore, it is also a myth that people containing low self esteem undergo grave psychological collapse throughout their life. It is partly due to the very fact that low self esteem snatches away confidence level of the individuals. Since such kind of individuals experience extreme situation of disappointment, dejection, despair and anxiety, they are not in a position to perform their duties and obligations in an adequate manner. Baumeister et al. (1996) are of the opinion that a long tradition has regarded low self-esteem as a powerful and dangerous cause of violence. This view seems to be so widely and uncritically accepted that it is often casually asserted in the absence of evidence and even in the presence of apparently contrary evidence. Many researchers share the opinion that high self-esteem is desirable and adaptive and can even he used as one indicator of good adjustment (Heilbrun, 1981) Somehow, he argues that it is high esteem in individuals that paves the way towards violence and aggression in their behaviour. The following hypothesis has been established for the present study: The more is exposure of the individuals regarding the scientific researches and society, the lesser the probabilities of their having belief in myths and misconceptions Methodology Hypothesis: The hypothesis formulated for the present study is: The more is exposure of the individuals regarding the scientific researches and society, the lesser the probabilities of their having belief in myths and misconceptions Concepts: To completely comprehend with the problem under study, it would be advisable to explain the concepts applied within the hypothesis. 1 Exposure: The term exposure simply refers to the vision and knowledge of the people about the natural and social phenomena existing all around. The exposure of the people is actually based upon their study, experience and interaction with the people in the social environment. Here the exposure stands for the people’s views and opinions about psychological myths and real facts. 2 Scientific Research: Scientific researches include all the studies and investigations conducted on the topics related to pure and social sciences, and consequently are supportive in the articulation of a new theory on the one hand, as well to endorse or refute the already existing one on the other. 3 Psychological Myths: Myths are the set of traditional beliefs and notions that have conventionally been established, and generally followed blindly by a large majority of a nation, community or society. And the psychological myths are the superstitions and beliefs that are related to the discipline of psychology. Research Procedure 1 Universe: As the researcher is the student of Curtin University, Australia, the respondents of the present research were selected from the Sydney city. The researcher selected twenty individuals as respondents belonging to different socioeconomic statuses, professions and age groups for the study in order to give representation to all communities. Both male and female respondents have been included by the researcher to find out the results and concluding the problem. Thus, the researcher gave representation to divergent strata of society while collecting the data for his study. 2 Sampling: Quota/non-probability sampling was implied to represent different socioeconomic classes, age and racial groups and genders for the present study. The research was comprised of the persons from middle and lower classes. All communities were the focus of attention for the current research paper. 3 Tool for Data Collection: Mailed questionnaire was developed as a research tool to gather the data from the respondents, which consisted of six questions and had been divided into two parts. The questions were developed in the light of the most popular myths related to psychology have been in vogue for several decades as true ones. Questionnaire consisted of multiple choice answers, which were selected from the options given below. The researcher asked one and the same questions, which maintained clarity of concept in their scope. 4 Pre-testing: Pre-testing was conducted to draw out errors and flaws from the questionnaire. At first, two respondents were interviewed and slight changes were made in questions after the pre-testing. 5 Field Experiences: The researcher conducted his research while sending questionnaire after getting data from the websites to have an easy access to different communities. It was discovered that all respondents had developed interest for psychological myths, which they apply while passing comments and delivering statements about various social phenomena. 6 Ethical Issues: The researcher strictly applied neutrality while developing the tool for data collection, and did not include any question that could hurt the feelings of the respondents. Research Findings The present chapter discusses the research findings on the basis of the replies made by the respondents, which have been described in tabular forms as following: Table 1 Respondents’ views regarding the use of brain power Level of Consent Frequency Percentage Extremely agree 10 50 Fairly agree 6 30 Moderately 2 10 Not very well 1 5 Not at all 1 5 The above table reveals the very fact that four fifth of the respondents have strong belief in the myth that a large proportion of the people use only 10% of their brain power throughout their life span. Figure 1 Respondents’ views regarding the use of brain power The same has been elaborated in Figure 1 that the proportion of the people rejecting the myth above mentioned is almost negligible, which endorses the very notion that people follow the traditional beliefs without making their analysis. Table 2 Respondents’ Opinion Regarding Relief through Expressing of Anger Level of Consent Frequency Percentage Extremely agree 6 30 Fairly agree 7 35 Moderately 1 5 Not very well 4 20 Not at all 2 10 The above table describes that nearly two third respondents argued in favor of the myth that expressing one’s anger though words or actions is helpful in releasing anger and tension. However, nearly one third of them went against the very notion, and thus favored the idea that beating and rebuking others did not decrease anger altogether. Figure 2 Respondents’ Opinion Regarding Expressing of Anger The above figure shows that over one third of the respondents fairly see eye to eye with the notion that people agree that crying and beating etc mitigate anger. Somehow 30% of them refuse the very notion. Table 3 Respondents’ Opinion Regarding Low self-esteem and psychological problems Level of Consent Frequency Percentage Extremely agree 4 20 Fairly agree 6 30 Moderately 2 10 Not very well 3 15 Not at all 5 25 Table 3 shows that half of the respondents agreed with the notion that low self-esteem brings violation in human behavior; somehow two fifth of them turned down the very idea altogether. Figure 3 Respondents’ Opinion Regarding Low self-esteem and psychological problems Figure 3 manifestly reveals that majority of the respondents appeared to be in favor of the notion that low self-esteem puts career growth in grave jeopardy. Table 4 Respondents’ views regarding Believing in oneself results in Success Level of Consent Frequency Percentage Extremely agree 12 60 Fairly agree 5 25 Moderately 1 5 Not very well 2 10 Not at all - - The above table reveals the very fact that an overwhelming majority of the respondents have strong belief in the myth have trust in one’s abilities paves the way towards success, though in reality it is not the case with them. Figure 4 Respondents’ views regarding Believing in oneself results in Success Discussion Research findings reveal the very fact that myths and misconceptions have obtained very important place in the discipline of psychology and the people are blindly adopting and imitating the same myths without making examination of such false myths, as the above findings state that a very large majority of the respondents have faith in the statement that mere having trust in oneself and one’s abilities wide opens the doors of success to him. Anyway, it is not the case in real life and success demands the combination of many factors including luck, hard work, availability of opportunities to display one’s talent etc. Grohol (2009) is of the view that while depression is indeed a serious mental disorder, it is no more serious than most other mental disorders. Having a mental disorder does not mean you are “crazy,” it just means you have a concern that is negatively impacting how you live your life. However, this myth has got the way of belief that a depressed person is crazy and is consequently harmful to other members of the social establishment. Somehow, in-depth study of the available researches as well as thorough examination of the natural and social phenomena around one is beneficial in making assessment regarding whether the myth maintains some validity in it or not. The research findings also point out the very fact that people pay less heed to research work, observation and studies, and mere try to imitate the society in the light of the theories and rules have already been established regarding the nature and scope of different natural phenomena and objects as well. However, such type of blind imitation may distract the people in respect of seeking truth and facts on the grounds of validity and replication applied by the researchers while conducting various studies and research works. List of References: Baumeister, Roy E., Smart, Laura, and Boden Joseph M. (1996) Relation of Threatened Egotism to Violence and Aggression: The Dark Side of High Self-Esteem Psychological Review 996, Volume 103, No. I, 5-33 American Psychological Association, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.emotionalcompetency.com/papers/baumeistersmartboden1996%5B1%5D.pdf Grohol, John M. (2009) 7 Myths of Depression World of Psychology Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/10/18/7-myths-of-depression/ Heilbrun, A. B. ( 1981 ). Gender differences in the functional linkage between androgyny, social cognition, and competence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 4l, 1106-1118. Leaming, David Adams, Madden, Kathryn Wood, and Marlan, Stanton (2009)Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion Volume I Springer Appendix A Questionnaire DEPARTMENT OF ---------------- UNIVERSITY OF THE ---------------------------- Serial No. --------------- Date of Interview--------------- Name: (Researcher) Roll No. ------------------- TOPIC: Significance of Myths in Psychology 1 How likely do you think some people only use 10% of their brain power? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all 2. How likely do you think it is better to express anger than to hold it in? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all 3. How likely do you think low self-esteem is a major cause of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, violence, etc? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all 4. How likely do you think that trusting in one’s abilities pave the way towards success? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all 5. How likely do you think 90% to 95% of people can be put in an altered state of consciousness called hypnosis? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all 6. How likely do you think people with deeply held religious or spiritual beliefs are often able to cope better with stressful situations than those who do not.? ? Extremely ?Fairly ?Moderate ?Not Very ?Not at all Appendix B (ERIKSON'S THEORY OF SOCIO EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT) Erikson's Theory of Socio emotional Development Stage Age Expected Resolution Trust vs. Mistrust Infancy Child develops a belief that the environment can be counted on to meet his or her basic physiological and social needs Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Toddler hood Child learns what he/she can control and develops a sense of free will and corresponding sense of regret and sorrow for inappropriate use of self-control. Initiative vs. Guilt Early Childhood Child learns to begin action, to explore, to imagine as well as feeling remorse for actions Accomplishment/Industry vs. Inferiority Middle Childhood/ Elementary Child learns to do things well or correctly in comparison to a standard or to others Identity vs. Role Confusion Adolescence Develops a sense of self in relationship to others and to own internal thoughts and desires (Later work has shown two sub stages: a social identity focusing on which group a person will identify with and a personal identity focusing on abilities, goals, possibilities, etc.) Intimacy vs. Isolation Young Adult Develops ability to give and receive love; begins to make long-term commitment to relationships Generativity vs. Stagnation Middle Adulthood Develops interest in guiding the development of the next generation Ego Integrity vs. Despair Older Adulthood Develops a sense of acceptance of life as it was lived and the importance of the people and relationships that individual developed over the lifespan Read More