09
Dec 19

The Practicality of Social Psychology

As my time as a student comes to a close with this final semester, I have spent some time thinking back on all the experiences that I’ve had and how to may compare to those around me.  I think that one of the things that each student has in common is at some point wondering “when am I ever going to use this?”  I think that you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t at least thought this phrase to themselves.  However, one of the major benefits of studying social psychology is its practical nature.  There have been countless instances of my utilization of course concepts at the job I now hold.  One of these such concepts is the idea of participatory research, research that combines investigation, education, and action (Maguire, 1987, as cited in Gruman, et. al., 2016).

Let’s imagine that the manager of a restaurant is having a problem with the morale of their employees and doesn’t know how to resolve the issue.  If they were to follow the three activities of participatory research, they would start by investigating other instances of this problem occurring.  The knowledge gained from this investigation could proved to be of vital importance in solving the problem.  Next, the manager would educate themselves on the matter alongside the employees by interacting with them directly and discussing with them potential reasons for the poor morale.  Finally, the manager and employees would unite and determine the course of action with the highest likelihood of success in resolving the issue.

Although the methods used in participatory research may seem limited in use to that of researcher alone, the concepts which can be drawn from them are useful in many areas of life.  As I previously stated, one of the main benefits of studying social psychology is how useful it can be, and participatory research is no exception.  I’m sure there are many lessons there learned throughout our careers as students which will never be used, however, I don’t believe those learned from social psychology are part of that category.

References:

Gruman, J. A., Schneuder., F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2016). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Socanil and Practical Problems.

Maguire, P. (1987). Doing participatory research: A feminist approach. Amherst: University of Massechusetts.


09
Dec 19

Don’t Seek Approval from Others

One of the great movie tropes to come from the 80’s and 90’s is the coming-of-age story revolving around the social status of the main characters.  Often times, the characters in the movie destined to become a romantic couple are kept apart by the cliques they associate with or their over-bearing families.  While this may seem like an exaggerated phenomenon that doesn’t actually occur in real life, it has been shown that the opposite is true.  It turns out that social network approval plays a huge part in whether a romantic couple view their relationship as satisfying or not and to what extent (Felmlee, 2001, as cited in Gruman, et. al., 2016).

Just like is seen in those films, romantic relationships can be greatly affected by the attitudes of those around them, and not necessarily in as direct a fashion as is portrayed.  Just the perception of disapproval by friends and family of those involved in the relationship is enough to influence the formation or satisfaction of the relationship.  There may be times when one member of the relationship incorrectly believes that the relationship is not approved by others and thereby leaves that person feeling uneasy.  It’s for this reason learning the message that those movies from the 80’s and 90’s were trying to teach us is so vital; caring too much about what other people think can lead to missing out on your own happiness.

 

References:

Flemlee, D. (2001). No couple is an island: A social stability network perspective on dyadic stability. Social Forces, 79, 1259-1287.

Gruman, J. A., Schneuder., F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2016). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Socanil and Practical Problems.


06
Dec 19

Counseling, We All Need It

Counseling psychology is socially profound and beneficial for many individuals and communities. Counseling is a way to help navigate through issues or disorders from either a clinical or social/ environmental perspective. I know most of the people around me in my life have gone to counseling at some point in their lives (including myself), even if it for a short time. Most of the time, from these individuals I know of, they sought counseling for this reason either directly or indirectly; STRESS.

I remember my sophomore year, and my friend recommended that I see their therapist because I was extremely stressed out and going through a lot at that moment. They told me how going to counseling as helped them know themself better so they can perform daily at their best without the heavy weight on their shoulders. I agreed and saw the therapist they recommended and began to work out what I needed to. Through this process, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and stressors can make things worse. I was able to learn techniques to help with managing stress, and I would have never learned how to if I never started counseling.

It’s hard not to be stressed or face challenges in today’s world. We have jobs, classes, families, financial obligations, deadlines, and sometimes all those are on the plate at once. These issues are common among many individuals in society. If we work through our struggles and hardships with the help of counseling from an educated and trained professional when needed, we can make better choices and use helpful techniques to better ourselves and use those talents we have without facing the stress alone.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/benefits-of-talking-therapy/

 


06
Dec 19

Virtual Doesn’t Mean Artificial

Ever since online communication has become a regular way to communicate with people there has been a stigma that the connections people make in the virtual landscape or not as genuine as the ones created during face to face interactions.  While this may be the case for some people, it is does not apply to everyone.  The virtual communities that are built online are often times just as real as the ones made in person, if not more so.  This is especially true for those communities which are built around helping people with medical or psychological problems.  According to Gruman et. al. (2017), there are four factors that contribute to a positive sense of community among people: membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs, and shared emotional connection.

Membership within a community is often categorized by geographical location but is not limited to it.  Social boundaries, such as having experienced a mental disorder, can set boundaries, and create a sense of community.  Having similar experiences and the ability to share those experiences with others in a safe, potentially anonymous, setting provides people with a feeling of belonging.

The influence that a person has in their community, as well as the influence the community has over them, is another factor that determines affects sense of community.  In the case of virtual communities, the ability to message people directly can greatly increase the level of influence they feel they have on the group.  People may feel like they blend into the background when in person and surrounded by many people, something that is not necessarily the case in virtual groups.

The third factor in creating a sense of community is one of the greatest benefits of virtual communication.  Integrating into the community through shared resources and information is exactly what these groups are created for.  People join them to find more information on what they are going through and are able to learn directly from people who may have experienced the same thing.  For many people, this may be the only resource readily available to them.

The struggles and triumphs that result from experiencing a mental disorder create a bond with people that extends through the virtual landscape and connects them no matter what.  The emotional connection that people experience in person can be more intimate than that experienced through virtual, however the virtual connections can be very strong as well.

People may continue to discount the connections made through virtual means, however, it’s obvious that the sense of community that results from these connections is real.  The help that people can get through the virtual communities they become a part of can be invaluable and is a welcomed addition to our social world.

 

Reference:

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2017). Applied Social Psychology:
Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems(3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage. ISBN 9781483369730


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