After the big political change we just experienced, the election of Donald Trump, many citizens are feeling a social burden because they believe the elected president is not fit for the job. It is very unfortunate that social changes like this happen and it does, for fact, affect each and every single one of us. No matter if we are living bad or god times, the public opinion is always an essential component of politics (Bermeo, & Bartels, 2014). Apparently, this time around the public opinion has not been taken into consideration. When social changes like this happen, the population feels insecure and threatened by different social values that do not comply with their expectancies. Thus, their behavior change because they experience cognitive dissonance (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2013, p. 170). This election seemed to cause a big wave of public compliance, where many people who did not even supported the elected president voted without believing that the results would cause national frustration (Aronson, at al., 2013, p. 201).
To reduce the distress caused by the situation, social psychologists may need to intervene and develop social programs that are able to create conformity in the population. Conformity in a social scale happens when we, the population make changes on our behavior to accept and comply with others’ expectations (Aronson, at al., 2013, p. 199); which means that soon or later we may have to accept the results of the campaign and cross fingers that we do not get hit by horrible presidential choices. I know that the feeling of expectations may cause anxiety and other psychological effects, but we will have to be flexible and ready for adjustments in our social environment. This process is painful sometimes, but it happens every time a new president is elected. Thus, one way social psychologists will get ready for this dramatic change is by setting up participatory action research all around the country, as it is intended to do research and contribute to social changes (PSU, WC, Psych 424, lesson 13, 2016). Applied social psychology in the next few years will probably be a high stake for all of us because its’ fundamental idea is to develop strategies that improve individual or group social interactions, and decrease practical problems (Schneider, Grumman, & Coutts, 2012, p. 8). If the political burden increases, they definitely will be usefully doing research and developing active social programs that can change social behavior.
This is also an opportunity to community psychology to get into practice and integrate research with actions that will effectively change our views about our social situation (Schneider, Grumman, & Coutts, 2012, p. 275). Using participatory action research they will assess our political, social and economic values as part of research methods and applications (Brydon, 1997). Created in the 1970’s, this source of research was initially criticized because there has always been a belief that psychologists should never mix their personal values to their profession, as it can cause conflict of interests (PSU, WC, Psych 424, lesson 13, 2016). In certain circumstances, like the political scenario we are living now, it can be a positive research method to be used. The only way it can misused is if researchers tries to use their work to make personal implications, which is known as activist research and can be a misleading way to influence members of the social environment to follow constructs that may or may not be completely accurate (PSU, WC, Psych 424, lesson 13, 2016). We should not expect any activism to happen in this case, but since it involves politics, there is always a chance that social influence will diverge from its original intent, because this is a common characteristic of politics anyways. However, we should never give up on our social expectations, as we should defend our constructs with a sensitive and rationale manner to achieve a common goal.
Hopefully, our future is not going to be as bitter as we think it will. If we get to that point, applied social psychology will definitely stand by us to help find social solutions. Let’s be positive by now, and try our best to understand how to fit into this new social environment, it may help to control our burden. Democracy isn’t always an easy process, but we cannot lose our hope (Corazzini, Kube, Maréchal, & Nicolò, 2014).
References:
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2013). Social psychology (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Bermeo, N., & Bartels, L. (2014). Mass politics in tough times: Opinions, votes and protest in the great recession: Opinions, votes and protest in the great recession. New York: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199357505.001.0001. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/lib/pennstate/reader.action?docID=10812617
Brydon‐Miller, M. (1997). Participatory action research: Psychology and social change. Journal of Social Issues, 53(4), 657-666. doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00042. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1997.tb02454.x/epdf
Corazzini, L., Kube, S., Maréchal, M., & Nicolò, A. (2014). Elections and Deceptions: An Experimental Study on the Behavioral Effects of Democracy. American Journal of Political Science, 58(3), 579-592. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/stable/24363508
Penn State University, World Campus (Fall, 2016). Psych 424-Lesson 13 – Social Change. Retrieved at
https://psu.instructure.com/courses/1802487/discussion_topics/11378503?module_item_id=21234006
Schneider, F.W., Grumman, J.A., & Coutts, L.M. (2012) Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Tags: activist research, Cognitive dissonance, conformity, participatory action research
This election has been emotionally draining on many Americans. It has left many feeling isolated in their pursuit of equality. It has left many feeling fearful and unsure for the future. On the other hand, it has left many feeling hopeful. The truth is, our country has been divided during this election cycle. Let’s face it, the country is divided during every election cycle. This year however, has proven to be above and beyond any year that I can remember. Are the stakes higher? Perhaps. Never in my adult years has there been a candidate that willingly divides us. You are spot on in that social psychologists will be in high demand while our country learns to put the pieces back together after this controversial year. I believe that there is great need for social change today. Racism still openly exists. Sexism exists. Ageism exists. The best way to move forward is to employ a social change campaign in which each of these issues is addressed. The best way to move forward is to do so with kindness in our hearts. Love thy neighbor has never been more important than it is today.