*In order from least favorite at the top to most favorite at the bottom.

A5-

Module 7:

When it comes to inconsistencies I saw, I was not surprised. I know homelessness is a serious problem and I feel that way, but I have done nothing to change that. I know regular exercise promotes good health, but I never do it. This perfectly describes cognitive dissonance. We often feel a need to reduce the inconsistency because of what others might think of us. They will raise the question, “If you know exercise promotes good health, why don’t you do it?” Sometimes, we know something is the right thing to do, but don’t know how to do it or have the energy. For example, I always tell my girlfriend to eat healthier in order to stay in shape, but I eat Taco Bell and McDonalds faithfully. After realizing that is very hypocritical, I only eat Taco Bell or McDonalds as a reward, such as after passing a test.

This was my least favorite artifact because I have never understood cognitive dissonance. I would always get confused with this topic. However, this artifact managed to make it to my top page because the assignment was interesting. It helped me understand one of my least favorite concepts better.

A4-

Module 4:

The availability heuristic can easily be described as the more you see it, the more you think of it. Or in other words, thinking something happens more than it does. The media and news coverage plays a big role in how we perceive things. One takeaway I would like to discuss from the 20-20 video is crime. The way media portrays crime can lead people to believe that crime happens more than it actually does. The media uses the FBI numbers and not the justice department numbers, which takes unreported crime into account. People see reports of crime on TV and think that the crime rate is going up. In actuality, the crime rate is not going up, the reporting of it is. The more reports of crime the news covers and airs, the more likely people are to think that crime is increasing even if it isn’t. The video brought this concept of the availability heuristic to life by demonstrating this phenomenon.

This was my 4th favorite artifact because heuristics aren’t my favorite topic in psychology. They can be confusing at times, but once you study them enough, it comes with ease. This assignment also required watching a video, which I don’t like doing. However, it is still one of my top artifacts because the video was actually interesting.

A3-

Module 8:

Adjective 1         Adjective 2
Americans    Impulsive            Nationalistic
Chinese        Intelligent             Artistic
English           Quick-tempered    Hostile
Germans      Scientifically-minded Hostile
Irish                 Religious             Musical
Italians         Family-oriented Tradition-loving
Japanese       Family oriented Nationalistic
Jews              Religious                Reserved
Blacks          Religious             Athletic

The shift in stereotypes can be linked to social media and news coverage. Some people try to say they aren’t “racist” or “judgmental” but we can’t help what the media portrays people as. We also can’t help the history of each race. Therefore, some stereotypes are just there. People these days are more subtle and careful about the way they categorize people.

These stereotypes can change based on the encounters people can have with these people. Once you have a specific instance that goes against the stereotype, it usually lessens or goes away.

This was my 3rd favorite artifact because as much as we say we aren’t stereotypical, we are. We might not express it blatantly, but we are. Because of this, I was able to match these adjectives with each group. However, this artifact opened my eyes to the truths behind stereotypes.

A2-

Module 6:

Trait #1: Funny

• Situation #1: I went out with a new group of people. While sitting at the table, things were kind of awkward. In order to lighten the mood, I joked around and made everyone laugh.

 

Trait #2: Emotional

• Situation #2: When having a talk with my girlfriend, I started crying because of how she was making me feel previously. Talking about my feelings made me cry and usually does.

 

Trait #3: Honest

• Situation #3: My friend called me and asked for advice about an outfit for a first date. I told her not to wear the first dress because it was very showy, the second dress was more appropriate. Instead of lying to please her, I was honest and told the truth.

 

Trait #4: Cleanly

• Situation #4: I clean my room every Sunday. I put my books where they go, I put my clothes away after doing laundry, I wash my bed set, and take the trash out.

 

Trait #5: Clumsy

• Situation #5: While cleaning my room, I knocked a glass over and ended up shattering it. The glass went everywhere and I spent 30 minutes cleaning it up. While cleaning the glass, I spilled a water bottle all over the floor and went through half a roll of paper towels to clean it up.

This was my second favorite artifact because I love learning about myself and the traits I possess. This artifact allowed me to explore my personality traits and see them in action.

A1- 

Module 3:

Similarity leads to attraction

Social psychologists have found in their research that there seems to be wisdom in the idea of “similarity leads to attraction.”

In a sentence or two, why do you suppose this is true?

• People bond by things they have in common, so when they find someone who is similar it makes it easier to connect.
• When you are similar to someone, it brings you closer to that person. With that being said, the closer you are, the more likely you are to be attracted to that person.
• You naturally want to be around people that are like you because they think like you and are more likely to agree with you. This is much easier than arguing with someone who has different viewpoints at times.

Does this finding seem surprising to you?

        _0_ Yes

        _3_ No

Opposites attract

Social psychologists have found in their research that there seems to be wisdom in the old saying, “Opposites attract.”

In a sentence or two, why do you suppose this is true?

• For some people, it comes down to how that person compliments you. That usually comes from that person having the opposite personality and interests as you.
• It keeps a balance. If people are too much alike, things will get boring. You get a different view on things.
• Some people have the personality traits that you lack. In a sense, that person completes you.

Does this finding seem surprising to you?

        _1_ Yes

        _2_ No

 

The findings of this assignment were interesting. It was interesting to see how people supported their views. When presented with the idea of similarity leads to attraction, the three people I talked to were not surprised by this being an actual finding. All three people had a common theme of being similar brings you closer to that person. When the other group of people were presented with the idea of opposites attracting, only one person was surprised that this was an actual finding. I feel like this could be because the phrase has been around for years so people are used to hearing it when it comes to talking about relationships.

I chose this artifact as my favorite because I love learning about relationships. I always heard the phrase “opposites attract” so this artifact opened my eyes to a new perspective.