theories of psychology are, in many ways, a product of the context that they com
ID: 3462460 • Letter: T
Question
theories of psychology are, in many ways, a product of the context that they come from. We have discussed the role of culture, cohort, and environment in identifying factors that create differences in behavior and thought. A robust theory of psychology can address universal (culture free) and individual (culture specific) differences in explaining the HOW and WHY of behavior. For this assignment, you will be addressing the following cultural scenarios and will need to evaluate psychological theories from this new point of view: ? Television images, movies and glamour magazines promote the elderly as role models. Your sense of self- esteem is tied to how “old” you are perceived as, with success in work and relationships based on age related criteria. Younger members of a group are marginalized and clear messages about the value of age are communicated with even very young members of society (children). There are industries in your society dedicated to helping provide society with valued markers of age (think hair dye and plastic surgery to age individuals). Imagine what your experiences would have been growing up and how your sense of identity would be like as a college student. For this assignment, please reflect on what ways such a situation might affect their personal experiences. (What would be different, specifically?) Next, speculate how the theories in the field of psychology might be changed as a result. Describe this in terms of at least three approaches or theories in psychology (Freud, Piaget, Social Learning, Milgram, Zimbardo, etc.) You will need to discuss why these changes would impact their experiences and the world at large (ex., would Freud be more widely accepted without the changes in access to education for women in the 30s and 40s that gave women more status and would current theories of personality be different due to this change. Think about if these changes in the world would have altered the theories of psychology and what a specific alternate theory would look like. Students will need to discuss this hypothetical change using the WHAT, HOW, AND WHY format. o WHAT is different based on the change (in terms of your personal experiences and culture). o HOW is psychology different? (What in the research that we have discussed holds true and what does not? Would we still find the same results? Would research or theories look different? Would a different cultural norm produce a different explanation of thought and behavior and what does that say about the role of culture in how we explain behavior or thought?)
Explanation / Answer
Psychology theories do indeed come from various factors and the time zone/ period in which they were established. Just as it has been described, the various psychological aims in different age groups are made evident through media’s significant role in the society today. For instance, in young women, looking fair or having good skin is propagated thereby giving window of opportunity to cream manufacturers. Similarly, if a college student were to operate, the peer pressure regarding being desirable in all domains of life- as a potential partner, daughter/son, sibling or even a friend would be overwhelming in very many ways. In fact, it can be said without a doubt that being a youngster today is more difficult and challenging from a coping point of view than it was before. The reason is the kind of pressure that the society creates today with regard to most things. This has been made more substantial by social media and digitalization in general. If this is studied from a different perspective and age group, then yes most psychology theories would have their faces changed. This is because the psychological objectives the age group would be dynamic too and would evolve. The role of culture in fact plays a very crucial role in determining the action/behaviours and thoughts of individuals. The belief systems, values, thoughts and approach towards life is thus established by these potent factors, i.e. the kind of cultural upbringing or exposure has been provided to an individual.
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