week 12 psychological society 2024

The Psychological Society

Overview of the Psychological Society

The Psychological Society encompasses the spread of psychological perspectives across various social dimensions beyond traditional boundaries, illustrating the extensive impact of psychological practices on modern life.

Important Topics Addressed in the Psychological Society

Crowds, Mass Society, and the Social Self

This topic explores how individuals relate to large groups and how mass society influences personal identity and behavior.

The Individual and the Social

This section discusses the dynamic interplay between individual identities and societal influences, emphasizing the impact of social contexts on personal growth.

Self-Esteem and Prejudice

Analyzes how self-esteem interacts with biases and discrimination, affecting self-perception and group dynamics.

Self-Esteem and Human Potential

Addresses the role of self-esteem in enhancing individual capabilities and the realization of personal goals.

Positive Psychology and Self-Control

Focuses on psychological strengths and resilience, and how these traits contribute to effective self-regulation.

Psychologization

Definition: The transformation of social, economic, spiritual, and political issues into psychological concerns.This involves the expansion of psychological practices and expertise into various societal areas, changing how issues are perceived and addressed.

Characteristics of the Psychological Society

• The self is viewed as an individual psychological subjectivity that defines identity and agency, contrasting with traditional views influenced by religion or communism.

• Individuals are increasingly inclined to identify themselves and others through a psychological lens, fostering a culture where people act as their own psychologists.

Quote by Sirotkina & Smith (2010)

This quote emphasizes the societal shift towards a psychological understanding of the self.

Contributions by William James (1890)

• Material Self: Comprises the body, clothing, property, and family.

• Social Self: Relates to recognition and visibility within society; highlights the risks of remaining unnoticed.

• Spiritual Self: Encompasses inner subjective experience and psychic faculties, paving the way for comprehensive self-analysis.

On Self-Esteem and Agency

James discusses the profound relationship between self-esteem, aspirations, and the perception of success versus pretensions, noting:

• Success correlates positively with self-esteem.

• Decreasing pretensions can provide emotional relief.

Influential Figures in Psychology

Gustave LeBon (1841-1931)

An essential contributor to crowd psychology, LeBon suggested that crowds exhibit hysteria and possess an intellect that is often inferior to individual reasoning.

The Crowd (1894)

Describes crowd characteristics such as emotional contagions and suggestibility, emphasizing the psychological dynamics specific to group behavior.

Floyd Allport (1890-1978)

• The first American dissertation on social psychology (1919).

• Introduced social facilitation, focusing on how group contexts affect individual behavior.

• Advocated for Methodological Individualism, which emphasizes visible individual behavior over group dynamics.

Gordon W. Allport (1897-1967)

A pivotal figure in trait theory, he distinguished between moral evaluations (character) and objective assessments (personality).

The Nature of Prejudice (1954)

This work explored intergroup relations, presented a spectrum of prejudice, and introduced the contact hypothesis, which proposes contact between diverse groups reduces bias.

Key Contributors in Psychology

• Hans Eysenck: Explored personality traits through the PEN model.

• Raymond B. Cattell: Developed the 16-factor model and examined intelligence typologies.

• Solomon Asch: Conducted crucial research on conformity and situational influences on behavior.

The Golden Age of Social Psychology (1950s-60s)

This period was marked by significant studies, including:

• Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory.

• Milgram's obedience experiments.

Contributions of Walter Mischel (1930-2018)

Mischel is prominent for his debate on the person-situation, arguing for the interplay between individual traits and situational contexts in dictating behavior.

The Big Five Personality Traits

Developed from longitudinal studies, the Big Five traits are:

• Openness

• Conscientiousness

• Extroversion

• Agreeableness

• NeuroticismCollectively referred to as OCEAN.

Self-Esteem Research

Self-esteem is often associated with self-evaluation and self-worth, and its increasing emphasis is reflected in a notable rise in related literature and studies.

John Vasconcellos (1932-2014)

Advocated for the importance of self-esteem as a solution for various societal issues, aligning with the ethos of human potential.

Positive Psychology

Formally initiated by Martin Seligman in 1998, this branch focuses on leveraging individual strengths to promote flourishing both personally and within communities.

Contributions of the John Templeton Foundation

This private foundation promotes scientific studies related to religion and its psychological implications.

Insights from Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)

• Introduced the formula B = f(P, E) (Behavior as a function of Person and Environment).

• Advocated for T groups to foster interpersonal insights and facilitate problem-solving strategies.

Findings by Kenneth and Mamie Phipps Clark

Investigated the effects of racial bias on self-image in children, leading to the establishment of centers supporting minority children.

Landmark Case: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This pivotal Supreme Court case highlighted the psychological harm inflicted by segregation, shaping future discussions on race and identity.

Abraham H. Maslow (1908–1970)

• Hierarchy of Needs: Developed a motivational theory that posits human motivation is driven from basic physiological needs to the ultimate goal of self-actualization.

• His anthropological studies contributed significantly to his understanding of self-actualization's cultural impacts.

Reflection on Modern Psychology

An in-depth understanding of past experiences and theoretical frameworks is essential for informing current practices and perspectives in social science.

Questions to Consider

• What factors have contributed to the evolution and differentiation of psychology as a discipline?

• How do social, political, and intellectual dynamics influence psychological theories?

• What are the implications of psychological theories on real-world actions and personal identities?

Conclusion

Psychology fundamentally shapes our understanding of human behavior, identity, and redefines societal interactions through its theories and methodologies, emphasizing the importance of mental processes in shaping the human experience.