...Social Psychology Psych/555 April 8, 2013 Dr. Anthony Social Psychology Human social behavior has been studied for the last 100 years, giving social scientists insight into the influence of thought on behavior. In this endeavor, scientists have also provided theories on the human need to obtain and maintain close attachments as well as the influence of human interaction. The development of social psychology as a discipline has provided insight into the precarious nature of human behavior and social interaction. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the conceptual foundations of social psychology. Within this analysis will be the definition of social psychology, an analysis of its four key characteristics, an explanation of the concept of situationism, and identification of the five core social motives and how these concepts affect the field of social psychology. Social Psychology Social psychology can be defined as the study of how an individual’s situations influence his or her behavior, emotions, thoughts, etc., with particular focus on how individuals perceive as well as affect on another (Myers, 2008). Furthermore, social psychology primarily focuses on social relations, social influence, and social thinking. According to Myers (2008), social relations refers to certain attributes such as aggression, helping others, prejudice, and attraction and intimacy. Social influence comprises factors such as pressure to conform, biology and culture, groups of people, and persuasion...
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...development of human behavior? Laquinta Gantt Baker College English 102: Composition II Melissa Rigney May 4, 2012 Nature vs. Nurture Theory: What are the reasons behind the development of human behavior? Throughout history, research has attempted to determine if an individual’s personality, behaviors and intelligence are shaped by genetics or the environment, which formed the nature versus nurture theory. The nature versus nurture debate is about the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (“nature”) versus personal experiences ("nurture") in determining individual differences in physical and behavioral traits. There have been many theories formulated to explain why humans behave the way they do. Explanations vary from demonology to magnetic fluids controlling people's behaviors. Toby Epstein Jayaratne’s article entitled “The Perennial Debate: Nature, Nurture, or Choice? Black and white Americans’ explanation for individual differences” attempts to persuade readers that choice is just as an influential factor as genetics or the environment by examining a group of black and white Americans to determine which of the three factors are most responsible for their differences. The author argues that in order to account for a person’s behavior, their explanation or beliefs about what causes them is very influential in determining the behaviors they exude. To provide evidence for his topic and determine whether or not choice was a factor in how an...
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...II Second essay October 9, 2013 The Role of Religion and Church during Medieval and Renaissance Society The role of religion and church was very influential during The Middle Ages and Renaissance society. They possessed a great deal of power that couldn’t be taken away by any ruler. In fact, the church was a counter to kings who wanted absolute power. Any king who wished to rule must have the church on his side. Opposing the church would lead to excommunication. Today this doesn’t sound like much, but at the time, excommunication translated to the downfall of one’s kingdom. The Middle Ages were a time in which everything was controlled by oaths. So for a king to oppose to the church meant that he was breaking the oath of allegiance he had with God. This resulted on the pope excommunicating the king. Now, everyone from the king’s subjects to his enemies could be freed from those oaths, and all of the allegiance with that particular king could be cancelled. This means that anyone could rise up in revolt or invade, without fear of condemnation by the church. Also, any subjects of the king who opposed his views could switch sides without being accused of treason. The church also played an important role in government. Being allied with the king, church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king’s council and played influential roles in society. These important roles granted them power and wealth. But not anyone was appointed to these positions...
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...minority group of the Dalit. Our aim is to understand the reasons and consequences, of the minority group, of its circumstances. This includes its history and influential factors of religion, society and so on. The importance of the structure in society will lead, in this paper, to an interesting comparison of other social structures in other parts of the world as well as in other times in history. Such a comparison will explore the prejudices the Dalit group suffers. The term prejudice means judgment, an opinion or preconceived idea formed before knowing the certain facts. In other words it is the irrational behavior towards a group, race, religion or individual. This topic is also relevant to the topic of cultural differences as it highlights the unfairness of minority groups and convenience to become aware and later prevent. Consequently, this project follows the structure below: 1. Influential factors 2. Current situation 3. Comparison to other (similar) social structures 4. Conclusion Background historical information The Dalit, or the ‘untouchables’, are at the lowest position of the Indian social ladder. The Indian caste system was formed 3000 years ago and is divided into four main groups. The Brahims, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and finally the ‘outcasts’, the Dalits, excluded from the society. This hierarchical status responds to Hindu beliefs. Depending on the caste division there is a different social status that will affect all aspects of ones...
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...Each theory approaches the influential factors with a specific lens. Discussing the influential factors on the core adjustment process, there are more collapses among those theories rather than the differences. However, rarely have these factors integrated in a single framework. Hence, it is reasonable to combine those theories in order to generate systems of influential factors comprehensively. Overall, the influential factors from those theories are embedded in two systematic levels, namely the personal level and the structural...
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...University. For almost six decades, he has been responsible for contributions to many fields of psychology, including social cognitive theory, therapy and personality psychology, and was also influential in the transition between behaviorism and cognitive psychology. He is known as the originator of social learning theory and the theory of self-efficacy, and is also responsible for the influential 1961 Bobo doll experiment. A 2002 survey ranked Bandura as the fourth most-frequently cited psychologist of all time, behind B. F. Skinner, Sigmund Freud, and Jean Piaget, and as the most cited living one.[1] Bandura is widely described as the greatest living psychologist,[2][3][4][5] and as one of the most influential psychologists of all time.[6][7] In 1974 Bandura was elected to be the Eighty-Second President of the American Psychological Association (APA). He was one of the youngest president-elects in the history of the APA at the age of 46. Bandura served as a member of the APA Board of Scientific Affairs from 1968 to 1970 and is well known as a member of the editiorial board of nine psychology journals including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology from 1963 to 1972.[8] At the age of 82, Bandura was awarded the Grawemeyer Award for psychology and is known as one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. [9] Contents [hide] * 1 Personal life * 2 Education and academic career * 2.1 Post-doctoral work * 3 Research * 3.1 Social learning...
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...convince or persuade people. But before it gets into the actual weapons, it introduces a concept called “Click Whirr,” which is an automated fixed-action pattern that causes animals and even humans to have an automatic reaction to certain behaviors without thinking about it. In humans, this automatic response can be beneficial when trying to save time and or the energy it would take to make the decision. However, it can be detrimental in certain cases and cause one to make mistakes especially when one makes the decision based on just a small part of the information, without taking it all in. The first weapon of influence discussed in the book is the weapon of reciprocation. Essentially the concept that it is normal in human culture for one to try and repay another after being provided with kind acts, goods or services, even when it is not explicitly needed. Eventually this rule of reciprocation can cause relationships and transactions to carry on for long periods of time because one person always feels they owe another. This chapter covered the fact that the way the reciprocity rule is often used is by giving someone something before asking for a favor. The book gives 3 reasons why this works, the first being that the rule is very powerful and often takes the place of other decision making factors. Second, the rule is used even when the first favor was uninvited. Third, the rule can create unequal exchanges for one to escape the feeling of owing someone else. The other tactic covered...
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...the Revolution of 1848 The Haitian Revolution and the Revolution of 1848 involve two distinct regions of the world. Despite the overlap of colonization linking the regions together, they hold different motivations for starting the revolution. The major similarities can be found in the economic setting of the locations. There are also some similarities in what happens after the revolutionary dust settles. The Haitian Revolution is arguably more influential due to the reinforcement of human rights and the establishment of the black run government. There is no doubt that the Haitian Revolution set an example for universal rights established during the Enlightenment. The setting of both revolutions occurs in a highly agricultural society. In Haiti, slave labor was churning out sugar and coffee...
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...Tusita Keywords: self-concept, self-image, self-ideal, self-esteem Humans always actualize themselves actively. They experience developmental process, which is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors. This study deals with how human being encounters conflicts in his life, which give effect to his self-concept. The aim of this research is to analyze Josephine’s self-concept, the main character of the novel, as it is portrayed in Melina Marchetta’s Looking for Alibrandi. Psychological approach is assessed and applied to the analysis of the novels with the consideration that self-concept is relevant to Josephine’s psychological aspect. The theoretical framework to be used when analyzing the texts is derived from the idea of self-concept, which is a result of composition of self-image, self-ideal, and self-esteem. Attention is also given to influential factors to Josephine’s self-concept. The study finds that Josephine perceives herself as unattractive, disrespectful, overdramatic, smart and she has to deal with her social status as a ‘wog’ and an illegitimate child. She wants to be a barrister and being accepted by society. The fact that “having affair” becomes her family’s genetic disease makes her want to be a person of normalcy. Her dream about being barrister is in accordance to her intelligence and it leads to high self-esteem. In contrast, her aspiration to be accepted by society has discrepancy with her self-image, which results to low self-esteem. However...
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...Approaches of the public administration in: (a) The contemporary era Introduction The approaches to the study of Public administration in the contemporary era can be categorized from different angles such as normative approach and empirical approach. The main focus of these approaches is how public administration should be, and also to describe and to analyze the actual administrative situations. There different forms of public administration which are divide as follows; Philosophical approach Legal approach Historical approach Scientific approach Case Method Approach Institutional and Structural Approach Behavioral Approach Philosophical Approach The Philosophical approach takes within its purview all aspects of administrative activities. The main goal of this approach is to find out and enunciate the principles or ‘ideals’ underlying these activities. This is perhaps the oldest approach to public administration as of all other social sciences. Legal Approach This is a systematic approach which is formulated and it traces its ancestry to the European tradition of rooting Public administration in law. Public administration was considered to be a part of law, concentrating on legally prescribed structure and organization of Public authorities. Legal approach came into place at a time when the functions of the state were narrowly limited and simple in nature. The administrative law is an important branch of Public law which is conceived in quite broad terms to enable it...
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...Keith Thorkildson Fall 2013 Humanities The Impact of WW1 and Freudian theories on Western Societies The twentieth century was a huge turning point for the entire world. Europeans were experiencing something that had never happened in their lifetimes before. Early in the twentieth century WW1 breaks out in Europe and a new way of looking at the human mind emerges. These events and people would really change cultures around the world. Beliefs in the Enlightenment would never be the same and modern day societies are still influenced at what was achieved and destroyed during this time. I am going to highlight the life of Sigmund Freud’s and how his theories impacted how we look at the human mind today. Then I will go over World War 1 and how it completely changed cultures of the west. Finally I will explain how WW1 and Sigmund Freud connected and changed western societies forever. Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg, Moravia in 1856. There is not a lot of information on Sigmund Freud’s early life because he chose to keep it out of the public’s eye. “Little is known of Freud’s early life as he twice destroyed his personal paper, once in 1885 and again in 1907” (Psychologist, World). His personal papers were closely guarded in Sigmund Freud’s archives and only available to Ernest Jones his official biographer. Freud published countless theories that created a lot of controversy in his time and still in our modern world today. Sigmund published many works but most of them if not...
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...view us. One’s identity is therefore an essential element in defining themselves. For that reason, it is especially important that we are comfortable with our identity. As individuals, people have unique characteristics and personalities as well as belonging to groups that influence such factors as their lives go on. Although great emphasis is put on creating ones identity alone, a number of factors such as ones appearance, society, environment, religion and race can shape our identities thus help us to define who we are. It is also believed that our genetic makeup has a large role in determining who we are. Our identity can be considerably shaped by our appearance. Physical appearance is the first, and often most important, and most lasting impression others get of us. Society will create different assumptions about others based on simple factors such as ones fashion and ones physical qualities. As a result, many will adjust their identities to be accepted by society. For example, people tailoring their personal appearance to fit what they want others to see them as. An individual who dresses very formally is likely to want others to view them as high class or wealthy. Although, factors such as height and skin colour cannot be so easily altered and depends on ones genetics. The effects of appearance on our identity can be seen in ‘Skin’, where Sandra, despite being born into a white family, inherits black genes. As a result of this, she finds a connection with those of...
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...Education and Training RESEARCH ON HUMAN LEARNING Published by the Department of Education and Training © State of Victoria, 2004 All rights reserved. Except under the conditions described in the Copyright Act 1968 of Australia and subsequent amendments, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical and photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Address inquiries to: Research and Development Branch Office of Learning and Teaching Department of Education and Training Level 2, 33 St Andrews Place GPO Box 4367 Melbourne 3001 Acknowledgments This resource has been developed by the Office of Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training, Victoria, 2004 Authors Sandra Mahar and Maddy Harford Contributions This publication was developed by the Research and Development Branch, Office of Learning & Teaching for the Department of Education and Training. Contents INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY 4 Defining Learning 5 Overview of the paper 6 THEORIES OF LEARNING 7 Cognitive Learning Theories 7 Social Learning Theories 7 Constructivist Theories 8 Experiential Learning 9 Adult Learning, or Andragogy 9 Multiple Intelligences 10 Situated Learning Theory and Communities of Practice 10 FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING 12 Neurological...
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...development or adolescent growth. Throughout middle childhood the opportunity for growth of the social, emotional, physical and cognitive centres is vastly anticipated. Over the course of this time, the brain is performing synaptic refinement and this constantly becoming more efficient although this is greatly dependent upon the environment the child is in. Within this discovery, the pathway is created for the optimisation of experiences that are necessary for the child to give themselves strong building blocks to adulthood. It is pivotal for nurses to have a clear comprehension of human development and behaviour, because each person is a creation of a number of various influential factors. In this essay, normal growth and development in middle childhood will be discussed using examples from influential developmental theorists. According to experts, the life span perspective of human development involves three key developmental domains (Hernandez, 2008). These are the physical domain, the cognitive domain, and the social domain. The physical domain deals with the physical changes that a person goes through. For example, height, shape changes, weight fluctuations, and puberty can all be described as changes that happen in the physical domain. Thinking, the decision making process and memory can also be identified as cognitive domain. The social domain deals with social life, which includes changes in variables that are associated with a person’s relationship with others...
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