Different Aspects of Human Behavior - Essay Example

Social Psychology The purpose of this paper is to answer and elaborate on 10 specific questions about social psychology. Different aspects of humanbehavior and the behavior of a society will be centrifugal to this discussion. 1. Describe the relationship between social psychology and sociology, as well as the relationship between social psychology and personality psychology. Answer: Social psychology is the study of how humans are affected psychologically, by varying social conditions. Social psychology is related to sociology in that sociology is the study of social behavior, societies and cultures from a scientific view point. When Observing these two fields, one can easily see how the study of human interaction in a given society is largely linked to how those humans are then affected by that society. The study of personalities and theoretical differences in personalities. It can also be said that personality psychology is specific to the studying of human differences. Social psychology is related closely to personality psychology as understanding social behaviors can be better explained by observing and studying personality differences. If there were no personality differences displayed in humans, then we would all be exactly the same and diversity would not exist. Works Cited: Social Psychology, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://www.trinity.edu/~MKEARL/socpsy.html, 2008 Van Wagner, Kendra,. What is Social Psychology?, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://psychology.about.com/od/socialpsychology/f/socialpsych.htm 2. What is self-monitoring? Give an example of self-monitoring and the effects of being high or low in self-monitoring. Answer: The theory of self monitoring simply revolves around being in control of one’s words and actions as well as the level of awareness one has over one‘s self. It can be explained as the idea of being accountable to one’s self. For example, an individual with low self monitoring, does not think before they speak. This means that their words and actions are often socially inappropriate. An individual with high self monitoring will select their words carefully before speaking, mentally weighing their choice of words or topics of discussion. A person with high self monitoring is also very concerned with if they are acting within social norms or not. A high self monitor will act out in embarrassing ways without really feeling embarrassed, “People who are high self-monitors constantly watch other people, what they do and how they respond to the behavior of others. Such people are hence very self-conscious and like to look good and will hence usually adapt well to differing social situations. On the other hand, low self-monitors are generally oblivious to how other see them and hence march to their own different drum”(ChangingMinds.org, 2007). Works Cited: ChangingMinds.org, Self Monitoring Behavior, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/self-monitoring.htm, 2007. Snyder, Mark,. Self Monitoring Scale, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://pubpages.unh.edu/~ckb/SELFMON2.html, 1974 3. Provide an example of the overconfidence phenomenon in the workplace. Answer: The overconfidence phenomenon within the work place is receiving more and more attention and study as it seems to be a growing problem in some large corporations. An example of this phenomenon is someone who excels professionally but progressively feels more and more comfortable taking more risks. The overconfident individual will state their ability to perform tasks at a higher level than what they actually can. Additionally, the overconfident individual will act in ways at work and professionally that lack discretion or are brazen, because they firmly believe in their own grandeur including their perceived inability to be replaced. Additionally, gender is not necessarily a predictor of overconfident behavior, “Gender, interestingly, does not appear to be a major differentiator in levels of overconfidence. Moore says the topic has been studied but the results are inconsistent, although he says the work of economist Lise Vesterlund has found women are less likely to make the mistake of over-precision. Most of us, it seems, have some level of bias in the way we view the abilities of both ourselves and others” (Fox, 2007). Works Cited: Fox, Catherine,. Overconfidence: Too Much of a Good Thing?, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://newsletter.mycareer.com.au/general/may07/job-update/section/fox.aspx, 2007. 4. Describe how the dissonance theory could explain your post-choice thinking regarding the purchase of a new car over a used one. Answer: The dissonance theory defines an individual’s realization that something that they once believed was true is actually not true. Cognitive dissonance can be summarized by the phrase “cold feet” or a type of epiphany where conflicting thoughts are occurring simultaneously in an individual’s mind. To relate this theory to the post choice thoughts of someone who has just purchased a new car over an old one, one may have regrets once they realize the immediate depreciation of the car’s value the moment it is driven off of the lot. This individual would essentially come to the realization that they have just made a poor financial decision which can’t be reversed. Works Cited: Craig, Robert T., Cognitive Dissonance Theory Leon Craig, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://www.colorado.edu/communication/meta-discourses/Theory/dissonance/, 2007. General Experimental Psychology Cognitive Dissonance Lab, The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/stephens/cdback.html 5. In your opinion, what are the most important gender differences described in the textbook? Why? Answer: Works Cited: 6. Discuss the ethics of Milgram’s study. Answer: The Milgram study was conducted as a result and in an attempt to explain, the unspeakable war crimes committed by the Nazis in World War II. The Eichman trials of 1961 exposed to the world some of the heinous events that had taken place which left many to wonder how so many individuals could participate in such atrocities. Milgram’s study attempted to define the actions of so many as a sort of simple obedience to their leaders out of fear for their own safety and that of their families. His study indicated that when someone is feeling threatened, one will “follow the leader” or do as the group does. This would assert that maybe only a portion of Eichman’s million actually wanted to do what they did and agreed with Nazi principles and actions, The rest or even the majority could be justified in their actions as it was merely a survival mechanism taking place. The study certainly shed light on useful information on human behavior but also invented a platform for those guilty of war crimes to stand on. Ultimately, this can be viewed as unethical overall as there is no excuse to be found for the actions of the Third Reich. Works Cited: The Milgram Experiment: A lesson in depravity, the power of authority, and peer Pressure, retrieved June 8, 2008 From website at: http://www.new-life.net/milgram.htm, 2008 7. Describe what was done and what was found in Asch’s (1955) study. Answer: The Asch’s study conducted in 1955 similarly tried to observe and explain group behavior and conformity. Asch specifically sought to understand what type of circumstances would cause individuals to conform to the behavior of the group as a whole. The experiment conducted by Asch was carried out as follows: Groups of about 9 male college students were seated in a row in a classroom. All of the men except for one were aware of what was going on and were directed to give a certain answer to a question which was actually the wrong answer. Each man was asked a simple question and were told to give their answer aloud. The last man asked the question was always the test subject. In almost every instance, the test subject would reply with the same wrong answer given by the rest of the men even though the right answer was plainly obvious. This can be explained as a sort of peer pressure or small group dynamics where individuals feel compelled to go along with the group which they are a part of so that they will fit in or be excepted. The results ultimately showed certain subjects to be conformers (individuals who follow the lead of others in a group) and other subjects to be non conformers (individuals who do not feel pressured to behave or respond like other members of their group). Works Cited: AQA Psych Blog, Asch (1955) Opinions and Social Pressure, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://aqa.psychblog.co.uk/asch-1955-opinions-and-social-pressure-18.html 8. Describe a familiar television commercial and analyze the elements of persuasion that it uses. Answer: In the case of advertising, corporations work closely with advertising agencies in order to create commercials which will not only get the attention of as many people as possible but persuade as many people as possible to buy the product that the corporation is selling. An example of this type of persuasive media is one commercial in particular advertising an on line trading web site. The commercial features a baby sitting at a computer. The baby’s mouth is moving while a grown man’s voice is dubbed in providing the dialogue. The baby appears to be telling the audience that he is in the middle of buying stock online implying that if he can do it (a baby), any one can do it. The pitch is really that perhaps people that are intimidated by the complexities of buying stock, can easily do so on this particular website. The persuasive tactic is the use of humor. The sight of a baby speaking with a grown man’s voice and using advanced vocabulary is not only amusing, but it is catchy. This commercial would perhaps persuade anyone to go online to this website and purchase stock simply because the commercial is so memorable and entertaining. Works Cited: ETrade, Utube, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vW9gUmooFg 9. List and provide examples of each of the three determinants of minority influence. Answer: The three determinants of minority influence are Works Cited: 10. List and describe each of the symptoms of groupthink. Answer: There are 8 primary symptoms of groupthink, they are as follows: Illusions of invulnerability - this is similar to overconfidence. The members of the group however act without taking precautions and feel so powerful in the group that they consider themselves somewhat indestructible (an example of this would be a gang participating in gang violence). Collective Rationalization - This is essentially the group’s ability to explain away their careless actions, not only to themselves but to each other. Illusions of morality - This is the overall assumption of the group that their actions are justified and moral. Excessive stereotyping - This is common in whit supremacy groups or gangs where the group builds on stereotypes more and more about “rival” individuals or groups. Pressure for conformity - This is simply the term used to explain peer pressure within a group which causes individuals within the group to feel the need to conform to the likeness of the rest of the group. Self censorship - This term refers to individuals within a group keeping their reservations or oppositions to group activity to themselves. Illusions of unanimity - this term refers to members of the group assuming that everyone within the group is in agreement. When members are silent, others infer that their silence is actually agreement. Mindgaurds - Mindgaurds are members of the group that attempt to “protect” the group from outside influence or interference. Works Cited: Janis, I. L. & Mann, L. Decision making: A psychological analysis of conflict, choice, and commitment. New York: Free Press, 1977. Small Group Communications, Groupthink, retrieved June 8, 2008 from website at: http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/groups/groupthink.html Read More