PSYCH 424 blog

Motivation is the key to success. It fuels us to complete tasks and goals we set for ourselves in order to better our lives. However, without proper motivational techniques, some of us fall short on our “to do” list causing a build up of responsibilities that can lead to stress and more procrastination among both students and adults. Procrastination as defined by Gruman et al. (2017) as the delaying of a task or obligation. Procrastinating in college can lead to poorer grade outcomes, depression and anxiety, and a lack of effort in one’s personal life, but with proper motivation techniques, students can complete their work on time and with effort to feel more accomplished and in control of their accomplishments.

Introducing, academic self concept. This is the thoughts and feelings students have about themselves as compared to other students (Gruman et al., 2017). This can affect both their motivation and performance in school in positive or negative ways depending on what they determine themselves to be. If a student feels they are on the right track and believes they are a good student, they are more likely to engage in self motivation techniques and perform well in college.

Now how can we motivate ourselves to increase our academic self concept and complete assignments on time? Research suggests staying focused on the larger picture rather than smaller obstacles (“Eye on the Prize,” 2023). Instead of dreading homework or assignments, think of the degree that you will be getting in the end. Whether it is college or high school, a bigger goal in mind can make the little tasks seem simple. Students can also have a more positive mindset on those smaller tasks they are carrying out. Celebrating the smaller assignments can lead to more motivation and a better outlook on oneself. Organization can also be an immense help in getting responsibilities done. By prioritizing certain assignments by their due date and importance, students can schedule certain times to work on them. This can prevent us from going out or binging TV when a project may be due the next day. Engaging in nonacademic activities instead is self-handicapping which is a form of procrastination (Gruman et al., 2017).

Now focusing back to self concept. Future time perspective is a tool students can use to focus on that bigger picture of graduating and forming a career. A study by Godwin & Kirn (2020), suggests using FTP and domain-specific motivation techniques can improve both motivation and major interest in students. This can keep them certain of the path they are on and motivated to continue it towards a future career. This role identity technique can increase persistence during time in college when it may seem impossible, or students may not see a benefit to completing their degree (Godwin & Kirn, 2020). Now go get those assignments done!

Eye on the prize: Tips for staying motivated in college: Nu. National University. (2023, August 7). https://www.nu.edu/blog/eye-on-the-prize-tips-for-staying-motivated-in-college/

Godwin A. & Kirn A. (2020). Identity-based motivation: Connections between first-year students’ engineering role identities and future-time perspectives. J Eng Educ. 109: 362–383. https://doi-org.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/10.1002/jee.20324

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

The Public Goods Problem is a social dilemma that focuses on contributing to public goods and the possible losses. The Public Goods Dilemma centers around the decision to contribute your time, energy, or money to something that will contribute to the common good. For example, if your community is building a public park and playground, you could let others do all the funding and building, and still use the public goods once they are available, but there’s a chance that because you didn’t contribute, it won’t come to fruition as there wasn’t enough help. On the other hand, if you do contribute, you’re cutting into your resources even if you benefit in the end, and there’s also a chance that it could still fail, and you’d have wasted some of your resources (Nelson, A. (2024) Social Dilemmas, courses.worldcampus.psu.edu, https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/fa24/22481–16074/content/05_lesson/02_page.html)

One of the main facets to this dilemma is the usage of resources, and the lack of certainity surrounding benefit. Of course, if you lent some of your resources and it got built, you would obviously benefit, however, the benefits aren’t guaranteed. To add to that, there’s a chance you could not lend any resources and still be able to benefit from the public good. However, the other side of the dileema is if you don’t lend you resources, it might not come to fruition, and you won’t benefit at all. However, in that scenario, you wouldn’t have lost any resources.

I’d like to add to this scenario and point out that even if the public good didn’t come to fruition, there may still be benefits to helping. Several studies have shown that there are benefits to volunteering, even if the volunteer work is done to get something out of it. In a 2018 article put out by Yeung and associates, they found that volunteering actually resulted in health benefits. In the study, Yeung and associates used data from the 2004 Survey of Texas adults, and evaluated the outcomes of individuals in the survey who indicated that they had participated in volunteer work. After identifying those individuals, they separated them into two groups: the other-oriented volunteering group and self-oriented volunteering group. Other-oriented volunteering was defined as volunteering for reasons of alturism and the betterment of humanity or the world, whereas self-oriented volunteering was volunteering for any organization related to recreation, arts, careers, education, or political campaigns. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that other-oriented volunteering and self-oriented volunteering resulted in improved outcomes in mental and physical health, life satisfaction, and social well-being. Other-oriented volunteering also had the benefit of lowering depressive symptoms, while self-oriented volunteering did not. Other-oriented volunteering was more beneficial to health outcomes, while self-oriented volunteering was more beneficial to social outcomes (Yeung et. al., 2018)

This study highlights that when it comes to volunteering, there will always be benefits to your participation. The Public Goods Dilemma deals with the uncertainity of benefits if resources are used. While the public good may not come to fruition, if the resource being used is time, there will always be benefits to volunteering your time. Given the health and social outcomes that result from volunteering, you can be certain in saying “it’s good to be good”

Works Cited

Nelson, A. (2024) Social Dilemmas, courses.worldcampus.psu.edu, https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/canvas/fa24/22481–16074/content/05_lesson/02_page.html

Yeung, J. W., Zhang, Z., & Kim, T. Y . (2018). V olunteering and health benefits in general adults: Cumulative effects and forms. BMC Public Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4561-8

For many of us, the important relationships in our lives impact us in both positive and negative ways. Whether it’s a friend or a partner these relationships, good or bad, can leave a lasting impression as we continue to navigate the world around us. However, a question presents itself, how can we improve the quality of these relationships? By using an article from Amy Canevello and Jennifer Crocker (2010), the goal of this blog post is to take their findings and share their knowledge on what may potentially increase the quality of one’s relationships.

According to Canevello and Crocker (2010) the quality of one’s close relationships can affect their physical and mental health. A relationship deemed “poor” typically causes a lot of stressful feelings to occur as well as a general lack of respect for one’s well-being (Canevello & Crocker, 2010, p. 1). A lot of us can relate to experiences where the close relationships in our lives have strongly impacted our mental or physical well-being. Their claim heavily emphasizes the need for our close relationships to be more positive as it can negatively impact our entire life whether we’re aware of it or not. Going forward it’s important as humans that we recognize how impactful the relationships in our lives can be, regardless of if it’s intentional or not.

Later on, in their article the authors introduced what they believe to be a strong indicator of a positive relationship, responsiveness. They claim that responsiveness relates to an individual’s ability to portray that they understand one’s point of view, validate one’s feelings, and generally cares about the other person in the relationship (Canevello & Crocker, 2010, p. 2). Personally for me, someone’s level of attentiveness towards what I’m saying is a huge indicator of whether or not I view our relationship as positive.

In summary, the relationships in our lives impact us in more ways than we can count on our own two hands. It’s important as we continue to navigate and explore our lives to remember that relationships are often a two way street. One should consider their self-awareness regarding how they treat others as not only a gift but an ability to improve the close relationships surrounding them. Overall, it’s important for us as a species that heavily relies on connection with one another to continue to learn about the ways we can influence our relationships positively.

References:

Canevello, A., & Crocker, J. (2010). Creating good relationships: responsiveness, relationship quality, and interpersonal goals. Journal of personality and social psychology, 99(1), 78–106. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018186

Like those who have come before, we find ourselves captive to a routine schedule of fear. In particular as stewards of the twenty-first century, we are keenly familiar with the cadence, dismissal, and subsequent anticipation of contemporary social unrest. Be it through the sensationalism of mass homicide; polarization of social policy; or the attribution of the world’s evils to, and thus the continued marginalization of, undesirable “Others”. Subsequently, one could reason that this degree of exposure to such issues conditions individuals to into accepting their social reality as intrinsically negative. Such may be posited through cultivation theory (Dolliver et al., 2018; Gruman et al., 2017), that is, the salience of these events through mass media leads to the public to suspect their lives as dangerous (Dolliver et al., 2018). Interestingly, however, there is reason to also suspect that this fear ultimately affects how people may predict future outcomes within their life, particularly aligning with a pessimistic lens (Steenvoorden & van der Meer, 2017).

Pessimism, which may be broadly defined as the expectation of negative future outcomes, has been associated with various detrimental effects, including a decline in physical and psychological health, academic performance, and relationship satisfaction (Gruman et al., 2017; Scheier et al., 2021). Additionally, like optimism, research has highlighted the potential of this form of negative outcome expectancy to be self-fulfilling, in that individuals are likely to behave in such a manner as to confirm their negative cognitions (Gruman et al., 2017). That said, how would this concept line up with fear, especially concerning that of larger, societal-level issues and events? Importantly, can pessimism even be generalized at such a level?

Despite the scarcity of literature on the subject, scholars have noted the occurrence of “societal pessimism”, primarily as a condition of a larger consensus and public opinion. (Steenvoorden & van der Meer, 2017). Put simply, the wider attribution of pessimism is the product of how those within (a) society perceive that society as a whole. Likewise, the state of larger social trust is argued to play a significant role in the presence of societal pessimism, particular regarding social institutions. For example, ambivalence and distrust of those in power may lead people to, in turn, formulate negative expectations about policy measures and the larger political future of a given country. It may even lead to a decline in political engagement (e.g., declines in voter turnout, decreases in public protests), thus making unlikely any chance of redress (Steenvoorden & van der Meer, 2017).

Is this a phenomenon that occurs without the potential for positive outcomes or measured steps forward? I would submit not. Just as defensive pessimism can be used to help constructively shape one’s perception of future events (essentially motivating preferable outcomes), so too may it be amplified at the societal level. Perhaps this idea of “societal defensive/constructive pessimism” could be used to evaluate both historical and contemporary issues of social distrust and unease. It certainly warrants further empirical consideration.

References:

Dolliver, M. J., Kenney, J. L., Reid, L. W., & Prohaska, A. (2018). Examining the relationship between media consumption, fear of crime, and support for controversial criminal justice policies using a nationally representative sample. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 34(4), 399-420.

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Scheier, M. F., Swanson, J. D., Barlow, M. A., Greenhouse, J. B., Wrosch, C., & Tindle, H. A. (2021). Optimism versus pessimism as predictors of physical health: A comprehensive reanalysis of dispositional optimism research. American Psychologist, 76(3), 529-548.

Steenvoorden, E. H., & van der Meer, T. W. (2017). Continent of pessimism or continent of realism? A multilevel study into the impact of macro-economic outcomes and political institutions on societal pessimism, European Union 2006-2012. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 58(3), 192-214.

In times of stress, grief, or any other mental struggles, the strength of community can play a crucial role in our mental health. Social support is recognized as a key factor in maintaining well emotional regulation and resilience, whether it’s from friends, family, or just members in your community. When people face challenges, the sense of belonging and the availability of emotional and practical support can really help protect us against mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. This support from the community can help build a sense of validation and assurance which can help individuals feel less alone and more capable of coping with difficult situations. Without this sense of community, individuals may feel disconnected and alone which can exacerbate mental health struggles.

One theory that explains the importance of social support is the social learning theory by Albert Bandura. This theory emphasizes the role of observation and modeling in learning behaviors (Bandura, 1986). When individuals are a part of a supportive community, they often observe how others cope with stress and conflict, which can help serve as a guide for their own responses to such things. Positive coping strategies shared within a network can encourage individuals to adopt similar positive behaviors which will help everyone in the community manage their challenges more effectively. This would bring a more collective approach to overall well-being in the community.

Another key aspect to social support is the ability to maintain a sense of belonging and identity. Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory explains that individuals derive part of their self-concept from groups in which they belong. Being part of a supportive community helps individuals feel understood and valued. This sense of belonging can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation that contribute to mental health problems like depression and anxiety. When people feel that they are part of something larger than themselves, they are more likely to experience emotional stability, as they know they have a safety net and people they can rely on.

Additionally, social support provides resources that can significantly impact mental health. This includes practical assistance, such as help with daily tasks, financial support, or even just a listening ear during a time of need. Strong communities can also promote healthy behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy mindset, and seeking professional health when needed. The power of community is very strong. It can strengthen individuals mental health by offering all around support and fosters the sense of belonging we all need.

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.

The Attachment Theory, developed by the psychologist John Bowlby, explains how our early emotional bonds formed with our caregivers can shape how our relationships are with others throughout life. These early experiences we have with our caregivers create our “attachment styles” which influence how we manage intimacy, trust, and emotional security in our personal relationships. By understanding the four main attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized), we can recognize patterns in our relationships and work towards making healthier connections with others. Your infantile attachment was not a matter of choice for you, since it is a combination of biological influences and social learning (Gruman, 2016). However, having a deeper understanding of your attachment style and the attachment style of your partner, friends, and family can aid in a healthier relationships and deeper understandings of one another.

The first attachment style is the most common attachment style, which is secure attachment. This attachment style is the foundation of healthy relationships. People with a secure attachment style feel comfortable with others with both intimacy and independence. They trust others easily, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts constructively. This style usually stems from consistent and responsive caregiving during childhood, creating a sense of safety and emotional stability. Securely attached people are supportive, understanding, and capable of forming deep emotional bonds.

The second attachment style is anxious attachment. Anxiously attached individuals crave closeness with others but also fear rejection or abandonment. They can become overly dependent on their partners and constantly seek reassurance and validation. Individuals who are anxiously attached may have emotional highs and lows, since they are highly sensitive to perceived signs of disinterest or rejection. This style of attachment is typically a result from inconsistent caregiving where love and attention were unpredictable. This leaves the person uncertain about their security in future relationships. Evidence shows that emotional reassurance and consistent communication can help mitigate these tendencies anxiously attached people have.

The third attachment style is avoidant attachment, also called dismissive avoidant. People with this attachment style often prioritize independence and self-sufficiency, often at the expense of emotional intimacy. these individuals may struggle with vulnerability and tend to suppress emotions, creating a barrier to deeper relationships. In Mary Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Experiment, she found that avoidantly attached infants showed little distress when their caregivers left the room and the infants also avoided their caregivers when they returned to the room. In adult relationships, avoidantly attached individuals may resist closeness, struggle with emotional expression, and withdraw when they are faced with conflict (Ainsworth, 1970).

Understanding these attachment styles is a powerful tool for personal growth and success in relationships. They can help you understand and recognize unhealthy patterns, improve communication, and build stronger and more supportive relationships with others. With self-awareness, personal growth, and, if needed, therapeutic support, it is possible to develop a more secure attachment style and create deeper and more lasting connection with others. Understanding these attachment styles in others can also help you understand others’ individual needs.

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

McLeod, S. (2023). Mary Ainsworth – Attachment theory. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html

Traditionally, research has had an image as subjective truth-seeking, with researchers trying to minimize personal biases within themselves and to remain detached from the subjects. Yet, in addressing real-world problems, traditional methods often fall short. That opens the door to participatory research, a value-driven method whereby researchers actually become part of the communities they serve in order to affect serious change. Unlike classical scientific methods, participatory research acknowledges that detachment is either impossible or not needed when tackling social issues. 

Participatory research is rooted in anthropology’s participant-observer method, where early researchers joined tribes to document cultural practices. While this approach unearthed valuable insights, it also highlighted inherent challenges, such as in-group bias, a concept explained by social identity theory. Social identity theory suggests that people gain self-esteem from their group membership and often display favoritism toward their “in-group” while overlooking its flaws. For example, early anthropologists unconsciously idealized indigenous peoples, which in turn perpetuated the myth of the “noble savage.” This serves as a strong example of how participatory researchers must remain critically reflective even as they work within communities. 

A contemporary example of participatory research is its application in public health initiatives. For example, researchers studying water scarcity in rural communities often work with local leaders to find sustainable solutions. In this way, they do not only collect data but also involve the community in co-creating interventions. However, there are risks to this approach. Immersion can lead to a loss of objectivity, as researchers may unconsciously prioritize outcomes that align with their own goals or those of the community they grow attached to. Transparency and methodological rigor are essential to mitigate these risks.

Despite its limitations, participatory research holds immense potential to drive social change. For example, activist researchers in environmental science often produce actionable findings that incentivize policy reform. Others might say they have vested interests in their cause, but their research often leads to tangible changes in policy. But ethical considerations are paramount. Who pays for the research? What biases might influence the findings? By critically evaluating these factors, participatory research can maintain credibility while advancing its mission.

In conclusion, participatory research challenges the boundaries of traditional scientific inquiry, offering a powerful tool for addressing societal challenges. In research intended to promote social change, total detachment is not always feasible—or morally right—even though objectivity is crucial. Participatory research bridges the gap between science and practical impact by combining rigorous methodologies with a dedication to community empowerment, making it an essential strategy in today’s globalized society.

Pinker, S. (2002). The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Viking Press.

Binge drinking is a wide spread issue that we see a lot in todays generations. This issue is especially prominent in college students and college aged students. Even here at our own college binge drinking is very persistent. From first hand knowledge I have encountered many situations while working at the bars downtown where a student consumes too much alcohol and has to be kicked out or cut off. This happens a couple times in one night during the weekends and on big events like football games, or bar crawl weekends, where students set out to get blacked out on purpose.

The Rescue Agency website goes into specific details on their plans to help alleviate the issue of binge drinking in young adults and to stop drinking in underage individuals. they use a model described as the decision blocks framework. This framework is described as using education that may be unfamiliar to the audience to assist them in reconsidering unhealthy habits. They first identify the problem and what might be the motivating cause of the issue, then they conduct research tailored to the audience, and then they produce campaigns to influence the audience.

The bing drinking decision block framework identified the problem as not only the binge drinking but the un helpful campaigns that preexist. they then go onto describe these campaigns as ones that focus on unrealistic expectations of these young adults, which consists of them insinuating that they should just abstain from drinking all together. They strive to create a more realistic campaign that involved giving helpful tips to avoid binge drinking and making the audience aware of the consequences that are most important to them. They also support the drinkers and give tactics on how to moderately drink and maintain their safety.

On the website they then provide a link to their campaigns which are a set of short videos that provide these said tips that they researched. In the tips they recommend 3 things from the ones that are immediately linked at the bottom. They recommend to eat before you go out, drink water while they are out, and to avoid mixing alcohol with other stimulants. Not only do they provide these fun videos they also have catchy slogans to explain the tip. in the videos they also include jokes and a sort of slang that young adults my age are used to hearing. I think they chose this format because it is the most relevant to our generation and it would catch our attention. I will admit while I was watching the videos they did have my attention and they added a sense of humor which all made the videos make me feel like I was the audience as a young adult myself.

“Health Topic: Alcohol.” Rescue Agency, rescueagency.com/health-topic/alcohol. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

During infancy, we develop an attachment style that carries on throughout our lives. When you are an infant, you fall into either a secure attachment style or one of the insecure attachment styles: anxious/ambivalent or avoidant. Moving into adulthood, attachment styles expand into four types: secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing (Gruman et al., 2016). The question is, can an individual’s attachment style change from infancy to adolescence, or do they generally remain stable? Adolescence is a time when individuals go through great developmental changes, so examining if their attachment styles change as well is important.

Adolescents during this developmental period often seek independence from parental figures and try to form their own identity. With figuring out who they are, changes with emotions, the evolution of building relationships, and forming attachments romantically or platonically. Researchers Theisen et al. (2018) found that adolescents “gradually increase in their levels of avoidance.” This could be due to their need for independence they are seeking and to form their own identity without their parent’s influence. They are more concerned with forming romantic relationships or friendships, thus becoming unconcerned with their parent (Gruman et al., 2016). Another reason for this might be that because they are in this transitional period, they may not feel comfortable opening up to their parents. They are beginning to form their own thoughts and opinions during this time and might feel as though their parents misunderstand them or they are choosing to rebel against their parents.

Another finding in this study was in relation to adolescents’ attachment anxiety. This is when a person has the need for closeness but still fears that they will be abandoned (Gruman et al., 2016). Researchers found that “youth tend to maintain relatively low levels of attachment-anxiety” (Theisen et al., 2018). Attachment anxiety neither increased nor decreased, meaning that adolescents levels of anxiety remain fairly stable during this developmental period. The researchers did not examine attachment styles in regards to friendships or romantic relationships, but only parental relationships. This stableness in anxiety they are reporting could have shifted over towards peer relationships, types of relationships. Adolescents may be experiencing more anxiety towards peer rejection, or they might have newfound confidence in these relationships.

Attachment styles are an important part of being able to form bonds with others. During adolescence specifically, it seems to be a process that evolves. While the study identifies factors that can change attachment styles during this period, it leaves room for more research to be conducted. It is limited because it does not assess the adolescents attachment styles to their peers but their parents. If adolescents are seeking independence from parents during this developmental period and forming bonds with peers, then that needs to be studied as well.

References

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2016). Applied Social Psychology (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).

Theisen, J. C., Fraley, R. C., Hankin, B. L., Young, J. F., & Chopik, W. J. (2018). How do attachment styles change from childhood through adolescence? findings from an accelerated longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Research in Personality, 74, 141-146.

Social Change Research comes in several different forms, but the general idea is that researchers are actively changing something in a social situation that they are a part of. it seeks to create meaningful change by exploring the root causes of social problems, such as inequality, and discrimmination. Participatory research is when the researchers are a part of the community or other social situation and are invested in trying to learn something about an issue in the community.

Social change research is grounded in the belief that research should not only generate knowledge but also inspire action. It included mixed approaches, such as case studies, ethnography, and surveys. The findings of social change research aims to inform policies and interventions, and influencing societal attitudes. Participatory research enhances social change efforts by engaging those that were directly affected by the issue that is being studied. it has effectiveness in addressing local challenges, such as public health crisis or environmental concerns. It also ensures that the interventions are culturally relevant, sustainable, and aligned with the community needs. This model not only empowers participants but also enriches the research with diverse perspectives.

Both of these create a powerful framework for handling issues, While social change research provides a more broad foundation, participatory research links between both theory and practice by directly involving communities. Its very evident in projects like community based participatory research which has been used several time to address issues such as housing inequality and healthcare disparities.

These are both sessional tools for creating a more equitable and inclusive society. By addressing systemic challenges and empowering communities, these approaches foster sustainable, community driven solutions which is a great thing for everyone.

References: Reason, Peter, and Hilary Bradbury. Handbook of Action Research: Participative Inquiry and Practice. SAGE Publications, 2008.

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.) (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems

Have you ever wondered why some people thrive in close relationships while others struggle with trust or intimacy? The answer may lie in a concept explored in psychology: Attachment Theory. Originally developed by John Bowlby and later expanded by Mary Ainsworth, this theory explains how early bonds with caregivers shape our behaviors and expectations in adult relationships. Understanding attachment styles can be a game-changer in fostering stronger connections with others.

Attachment Theory points out three main styles: secure, anxious, and avoidant, although most people will exhibit a mix of these (called disorganized attachment). Secure individuals usually feel comfortable with intimacy and can depend on others for support without giving up much independence. Those with an anxious attachment style are worried about abandonment and require ongoing reassurance, whereas individuals with avoidant attachment emphasize independence to such an extent that opening up becomes impossible. Research shows that about 50-60% of adults have a secure attachment style, leaving a significant proportion navigating challenges linked to anxious or avoidant tendencies (Fraley & Shaver, 2000).

This framework becomes incredibly relevant in everyday life. Take, for example, if a couple in in the middle of having a disagreement. A securely attached partner would speak in a calm manner about the problem to find a solution; an avoidant partner would shut down emotionally, and an anxious partner would react with high emotion and a fear that the relationship is in jeopardy. Those patterns can create conflict that might not be wanted, but knowing about attachment styles is an opportunity for change. The couple can learn to communicate in ways that reassure and support each other, resulting in healthier dynamics. We can work on ourselves as well through learning about attachment styles.

Reflecting on our own attachment styles can also be transformative. By recognizing patterns in how we approach relationships, we can make intentional choices to challenge negative tendencies. For example, someone with an avoidant style might work on expressing vulnerability, while an anxious partner might practice self-soothing techniques to reduce dependency on constant reassurance. These efforts can improve romantic relationships but also friendships and family connections.

In a world where relationships are vital to well-being, understanding attachment theory provides a powerful tool; not just for romantic relationships, but friendships, and self-growth as well. By learning to identify and adapt our attachment behaviors, we can build connections that are not only more fulfilling but also more resilient. So, which attachment style resonates with you, and how might this knowledge enhance your relationships?

Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology, 4(2), 132–154.

Social psychology offers a valuable insight into understanding and addressing the challenges individual’s face in managing their thoughts, relationships, health, and their mental well-being. We tend to think more about other people in situations than ourselves which can hurt our mental health and the relationships we have with people. By being able to understand how people think feel and behave in certain contexts, many social psychologists develop strategies to foster healthier behaviors, stronger relationships, and improved mental resilience.

Understanding social dynamics is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships around you. The many concepts used are empathy, social influence, and group dynamics that provide tools to navigate interpersonal conflicts that can help foster stronger connections. We can do a-lot of things that can help us misunderstand people and ways that can help us improve communication between one another.

Social psychology contributes significantly to improving physical and mental health outcomes. Behavioral interventions like goal setting and self monitoring can help us encourage ourselves to healthier lifestyle choices. In mental health, techniques such as mindfulness, which is something that’s very popular that everyone may use to help us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so were not overwhelmed by them and were able to be better to manage it. Also social support utilization is great too to help us cope with stress and prevent burnout. Group based interventions such as support groups and therapy help the benefits of social connection to enhance mental well-being.

By being able to apply these principals, many individauls can address challenges in thinking, relationships, physical and our mental health more effectively. It doesn’t only improve individual outcomes but makes us healthier and feel more supported in social environment’s.

References: Bandura, Albert. Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall, 1986.

Everyone around us lives in a community which is the primary setting of where we live. it’s where groups of people interact with one another on a daily basis. It may also be virtual communities too as in working from home you surround yourself with your coworkers all the time on zoom or just calls everyday, that is your community that you’re surrounded by. Communities are fundamental building blocks or human society, offering individuals a sense of belonging, support, and identity.

Communities come in many forms, from small, large, local, national, or international. Each community works different within a framework of norms, traditions, and roles that shape interactions and relationships with many people you’re surrounded by. Its gives you a sense of trust that enables you to work together effectively just like work. Even though many communities can have positive effects, it comes with negative ones too and many challenges along the way. For example, economic inequality, social exclusion, and conflicts arising from diversity. Many groups may also face a lack of representation or resources which can lead to tension around them. The rise of online communities while broadening connections, has introduced issues such as misinformation and reduced face-to-face interactions. Addressing these challenges requires fostering inclusive practices and promoting dialogue to many differences.

Communities are very vital to human connection and process, serving for shared experiences, growth, and problem-solving. By addressing internal challenges and adapting to many global trends, communities can continue to foster that sense of belonging we want and make things better for everyone.

References: Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.) (2017). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems

In class, we discussed the educational system, if you’re not sure what it is, it’s the first social interaction for people outside of their families and otherwise limited over network. It’s a way to explore for other diverse ethnic and racial categories but those with many different ways of seeing the world as well. Educating individuals and influencing communities is the backbone of society. In today’s education system, students learn knowledge, develop critical thinking skills and prepare for an ever- changing world. Although educational structures have evolved significantly overtime, they continue to face numerous challenges, including disparities in access to education, curriculum relevance, and adapting to technological advancements.

Education was primarily available to a privileged few, usually religious or elite societal groups. In many parts of the world, reforms have expanded access to education over the centuries. The industrial revolution played a crucial role in shaping the structure of modern school to meet the needs of labor market demands. Despite advancements, educational systems face persistent challenges, including unequal access in developing regions, underfunded schools, and outdated teaching methods. The digital divide is a significant barrier, with many students unable to benefit from online resources due to a lack of technology or internet access. Today many students would prefer to work online as it’s much easier to learn but some students would prefer the face to face learning so they can grasp lessons easier. These innovations promote personalized learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace and explore subjects that align with their interests.

I believe the future of education has changed drastically and it’s harder for students to learn. They must ensure that every student and child has the resources that they need to learn for the best way to succeed in their lives. They also need to balance academic subjects with skills like critical thinking and many more. The modern educational system stands at a crossroad, balancing the legacies of the past with the promise of the future. For education to be successful, it must evolve to be inclusive, adaptive, and forward- thinking. By addressing systemic inequities and embracing innovation. As John Dewey said ” Education is not preporation for life; education is life itself, underscoring its profound role in shaping individuals and society”. We need to do better to make education helpful for everyone and a way to learn the best way we can.

References: Dewey, John. Democracy and Education. New York: Macmillan, 1916.

Social media has become prevalent in our everyday lives and is useful when connecting with others and sharing information. Local governments have even adopted this strategy to reach their constituents, whom they may not normally be able to. They want to diversify this outreach to include members of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups (Ahn and Jong, 2024). It is important to build a sense of community that includes all members because then policies can get created to benefit all members of a community and not just some.

Politicians have various platforms on social media (e.g., X, Instagram, and Facebook) in order to connect with constituents. They can generate discussions by going live, generating polls/surveys, or forming group chats where people can share their opinions. Another ways that local government can be inclusive is by sharing multilingual content through social media posts. These posts can also have descriptive text for images that help visually impaired individuals or video captions for those who are deaf. This makes the information accessible to all and you can reach many individuals who have social media. Not everyone is able to go to rallies or conventions where a politician might be campaigning, but a lot of people can access social media. Politicians can use social media to bridge this gap between citizens and government by becoming more accessible and responsive (Ahn and Jong, 2024). If there is a crisis that needs to be addressed social media can also provide a direct and immediate line of communicating with a large group of people. People can turn to their local government for support or resources to help during a time of crisis.

Social media provides opportunities for two-way communication so that everyone’s voice can be heard. There is a politician who goes live on Instagram and she often reads through the comments to directly address comments or concerns. This is a way to build community by making sure everyone has access to this information and it holds that politicians accountable and builds trust as well. By doing this, they can actively listen to their constituents and build policies based upon their concerns or questions. This is a way for people to feel heard and seem because they are sharing their opinion and being an active participant in their local community.

Local governments are just beginning to use social media as a way to communicate with their community. It is important that they use social media to hold themselves accountable and to hear and represent all members of their community. They need to make sure that the strategies they are using are inclusive and understanding of the needs of these diverse communities. It is not enough to post on social media, but to be actively engaging with members of the community and policies should reflect this.

Reference

Ahn, Y., & Jong, J. (2024). Community Diversity and Social Media Use in Local Governments. Administration & Society, 56(9-10), 1083-1103.