INSIDE THE SOCIAL MIND
Jasanjan
100175507
Module 1
Behaviour in social psychology is influenced by
the PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCAL ALTRUISM which
refers to the “equitable exchange of
benefits”(Textbook, p. 22). This means repayment
of the help received from an individual by
another individual. This principle helps in
strengthening relationships with people and helps
us cooperate well in smaller groups by exchanging
help in expectation of similar help when in need.
This concept relates to me as when I shifted to
Canada, one of my friend helped me to find an
accommodation and in return, I helped him in
moving to a new accommodation a month later.
This builded reciprocity and trust and fostered
cooperation and mutual support.
Learning by observing the behaviour of others is called
OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING (Textbook, p. 52). This
concept takes me back to my early childhood wherein I
imitated my parents waving their hands at people when
they used to see them and say goodbye to them. The
waving of their hands signalled the actions of Hi and Bye
and this is what I learnt by observing them doing so.
An attempt to kind of control the impressions people
form of us is referred to as IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
(Slide week 3, 55). The visual shown in the slide aptly
states my expectation vs reality phase back in 2017 as I
used to post lively pictures of myself on Instagram just as
to let my friends see my happy side whereas in real life, I
was depressed due to family circumstances and didn’t
want people to know about all that stuff.
The concept of INDIVIDUALISM and COLLECTIVISM,
focuses on the fact that different cultures have different
norms.
•Individualism is a concept of the Western culture
focused on “self-enhancement and independence”
(Textbook, p. 12) and this has been relatable since the
time I shifted to Canada for my higher studies. People
here are self-centred and prefer in doing their own thing.
•Collectivism is a concept of the Asian culture focused on
interdependence and more connection with others
(Textbook, p. 12) and this has been in my roots as I was
born in India where people embrace togetherness and
connectedness in a way that everyone is concerned about
the interest of others and celebrate all the festivals
together like one family.
Module 2
BALANCE THEORY given by Heider which suggests
that we as consumers have a motivation to
maintain consistency with our attitudes (Slide
week 5, 30) and this is something which most
commercials use.
•We like the model in the commercial (+ attitude)
•The model likes the miss Dior perfume (+
attitude)
•We are more likely to like the fragrance as well to
be consistent (+ attitude)
This theory relates to me because since the time
my favourite actress Natalie Portman, whom I
admired in the movie Thor, was featured in the
Miss Dior fragrance commercial. I wasn’t a fan of
luxury perfumes but since I adore the model, I
was driven to buy that perfume she promoted.
Culture specific nonverbal gestures that
communicate a specific thing are described as
EMBLEMS in social psychology (Slide week 6, 31).
This is an example of sensing of each other by
nonverbal communication but they can vary
from place to place. This key concept related to
me back in 2010 when I went to see a cricket
match in Australia and the Australia team won
against the Indian team, the Australians showed
a gesture by raising one arm with the index and
middle fingers forming a V shape accompanied
by an expression of smile, thus showing victory
of their country team.
MINORITY INFLUENCE is when a small group
changes or influences the beliefs of the bigger
group (Slide week 7, 40). An example of
minority influence shown in the class was the
movie 12 Angry Men where juror 8 influences
juror 5 to change his beliefs. The majority
belief was that the defendant was guilty
except juror 8 which would make juror 8 the
minority belief. Juror 5 started to change his
belief to the minority as well because of juror
8. This concept reminded me of a restaurant
date with three of my friends. One of our
friend was vegan but the three of us decided
to go to a Mexican restaurant instead. That
one friend of ours’ ethical and health
arguments swayed the three of us, leading to
consensus on the vegan option restaurant.
I also read a similar research done wherein
subordinates function as an important source
of upward influence even when they hold a
lone dissenting position. (Oc et al., 2019)
References
Oc, B., Moore, C., & Bashshur, M.R (2019). Head above the Parapet: How minority influence
group outcomes and the consequences they face for doing so. Journal of Applied Psychology,
104(7), 929-945. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/apl0000376.