Intelligent Behaviors " Seeing My Natural Ability
Intelligent Behaviors " Seeing My Natural Ability
Topic#2
Emotional self “ Achieving my emotional competencies”
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:
1. Discuss the nature and kinds of emotions;
2. Identify the physiological reactions to emotions;
3. Enumerate ways of controlling and managing emotions; and explain the primary
emotional responses of the self to achieve emotional maturity.
Fundamentals of Emotion
Based on Plutchik’s (1980) configuration of emotion, there eight fundamental
emotions, namely joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, disgust, anger, and anticipation.
Plutchik’s wheel of emotion demonstrates how emotions are interrelated to one
another (figure 3). Emotions adjacent to one another in the wheel are closely related
and can be combined. The combinations can be found on the outer part of the wheel;
love is the combination of joy and trust. Meanwhile, emotions across each other are
conceptual opposites. For example, anticipation is the opposite of surprise and
sadness is the opposite of joy. The eight fundamental emotions also come in the
variety of intensities those nearest to the center of the wheel signify the most intense
emotions, while those farthest from the center are the weaker form.
Plutchik’s wheel of emotion demonstrates how emotions are interrelated to one
another (figure 3). Emotions adjacent to one another in the wheel are closely related
and can be combined. The combinations can be found on the outer part of the wheel;
love is the combination of joy and trust. Meanwhile, emotions across each other are
conceptual opposites. For example, anticipation is the opposite of surprise. The eight
fundamental emotions also come in the variety of _______ those nearest to the center
of the wheel signify the most intense emotions, while those farthest from the center
are the weaker form.
3. Do you agree that love, despite being a positive emotion, can also cause
problem? Describe an experience which can justify your answer.
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Social psychology
Many things may come to mind when you heard the word “social.” Generally, this term
has something to do with relating well or interacting with others. The study of social
relationship or interacting with others. The study of relationship or interaction is
called social psychology. Lahey (2007) define social psychology as a branch of
psychology that studies individuals as they interact with others. Plotnik and
Kouyoumdjian (2004) state that social psychology is a broad field whose goal is to
understand and explain how thought, feelinfs, perceptions, and behaviors are
influenced by the presence of, or interactions with others. People interact and behave
in certain ways when they are at home with their family, when they are in school with
their classmates and teachers, or when they are at work with their superiors or fellow
workers. Additionally for Gerrig and Zimbardo (2002), social psychology is the study of
the effect of social factors on individual behaviour, attitudes, perceptions, and
motives. It is likewise the study of behaviors as influenced by interactions and
transactions between persons. Social psychology is the study of group and intergroup
phenomena.
The key word in the various aforementioned definition are interaction and
relationship. Interaction refers to the mutual and reciprocal exchange of
communication or action between two or more person or groups. On the hand,
relationship refers to a particular way in which two or more individuals, group, or even
countries talk to, behave toward, or deal with each other. There is an established
connection, kinship, or attachment between persons or groups attributable to several
factors- interests, philosophy of life, goals, or ways of thinking – that bind them
together. These two terms imply two-way exchanges.
There is a fine line between interaction and relationship. Interaction is always a
component of a relationship. On the other hand, a relationship includes not only the
kind of interaction between the members of the group, but the intellectual,
psychological, or even emotional investment made by the parties to develop and
maintain the relationship. More often, the participants in a relationship agree to do
something similar to each other or even allow the same rights, privileges, or benefits
arising from any action that they both undertake. Interaction and relationship can be
represented along a continuum – from a simple and brief exchange between
individuals or groups to a continuing communication and investments to sustain the
connection.
After going through the discussion on social psychology, you have acquired some
useful insights that may serve as guide in social interaction. Vital to establishing
social relationships at a personal or professional level are time, effort, and
commitment. In your daily life, you always experience interactions with people of
different characteristics, status, position, gender, race, creed, culture, religious faith,
and language, among others. While these interactions may not necessarily evolve into
a deeper relationship, good interactions serve as a foundation for a good connection.
Once a relationship with other people or groups is established, it is important to
maintain and nurture that association.
PERSON PERCEPTION
In psychology, person perception refers to forming impressions and making
judgements about another person’s likability after seeing or meeting him/her. The
assessment involves as well what kind of person one is, including his/her intentions,
traits, and behaviors ( plotnik and Kouyoumdjian, 2004). First impressions, which are
formed within a very short time little conscious thought and biased by past
experiences, are part of person perception ( Macrae and Quadflieg, 2010).
Several other factors influence one’s judgement or perception of another person. One
important aspect is physical appearance. A person who rarely smiles may be thought
of as arrogant or unfriendly. Sometimes, when an individual forms an opinion on a
person based on perception, he/she tries to justify or explain the said judgement. For
instance, rather than simply looking at the other person, the observer tries to explain
or looks for reasons why the other person dresses or behaves in a certain way.
People usually use external appearance as immediate basis for assessing, judging, or
evaluating others. However, it is wrong to judge the character of a person on the basis
of first impressions because biases and errors may occur. It is advisable to always
validate one’s perception through further observations, gathering of feedback and
reports and interaction, among others, before making judgements. To avoid
misperceptions, it is prudent to behave, talk, or dress appropriately and in accordance
with societal, cultural, or institutional rules, policies, or guidelines.
SOCIAL NORMS
Norms are patterns or traits characterized as typical or usual for a group. Other terms
associated with norms are “ average” and “ normal.” For example, an individual’s
mathematics score may be considered above the norm if it is more than the average
score or below the norm if it is less than average.
Norms change over time. Many years ago, mother stay at home to care for their
children; women wear only dresses and skirts in attending church services; or couples
raise big families. Today, these are no longer the norms due to changes in many
factors such as the financial, moral, social, or psychological aspects of society.
Social norms refers to spoken and unspoken rules for behaving in particular
situations. One example is covering one’s mouth when sneezing or coughing. Most
people conform to social norms of the culture in which they exist.
Norms in social behaviour serve to guide or regulate the manner in which people
conduct themselves. Behaviors have to be controlled or regulated because of social
consequences. It is one’s responsibility to make sure that his/her behaviour does not
hurt, offend, or disturb other people.
Observing norms in social behaviour is expected of members of a group and the larger
society in general. Doing so ensures and maintains good relationships within the
group.
Every day, people engage in social situations which require interaction with others
from different walks of life and for many reasons. In these instances, people are
expected to behave based on defined and established norms. It is advisable for a
person to always practice the appropriate behaviors especially in social situations so
as not to disturb or offend others. He/she should make sure that interactions with
others enhance or improve relationships. Every efforts should be exerted to maintain
and enjoy harmonious and good relationships.
TOGETHER AS A GROUP
On many occasions, people work in groups. Students organize into study groups to
solve problems together when reviewing for an exam. Teachers meet with each other to
discuss methods to improve teaching and learning strategies. Farmers work together
during the planting and harvesting palay. Employees in an office work as a team.
Given these situations. It maybe said that the people work together for a purpose. In
may cases, the task becomes easier to accomplish because more people contribute to
solve the problem as compared to only one person doing the task.
In social situations where people work and do things together for a purpose, two
things may happen. First, the performance of each individual member of the group is
improved. This is also referred to as social facilitation ( Levine, Resnick, & Higgins,
1993). Take for example two groups with five members each in a javelin throw
competition. The rule is to add the individual distances travelled by the javelin for
each group. As such, each group garner a “ total distance travelled” score. The group
with the higher “ total distance travelled” score wins. In this situation, each member
will exert his/her effort to throw the javelin to the farthest point possible.
Second, working or being in a group may also reduce individual effort, a phenomenon
known as social loafing. For instance, if a group of students is asked to solve a
problem, some members of the group may no longer try their best contribute to the
solution because they feel that there are others who can do it better. Likewise,
individual members may not contribute as much in doing the task because they think
it should be left the more able member of the group.
One has bear in mind that in a group work, it is important that each member exert
his/her best effort to facilitate the attainment of the objectives of the group ( few or
many) or the variation in their abilities ( bright or slow members).
In social groups, the likelihood of conformity among members is very high. However,
individual members are not expected to always yield to the pressure to conform. An
individual member can decide for himself/herself weather or not to conform and to
what extent. The decision to yield to group pressure should be based on answers to
any of the following questions:
1. Will conforming do you good? What advantages or rewards will you get from it?
2. Will conforming put at stake or endanger your integrity and that of your family?
3. Will it cost much on your part if you conform?
4. Will you be penalized or punished if you do not conform?
5. Will things change if you yield/do not yield to social pressure?
As a member of a social group, one has to subscribe to basic and established rules,
policies, or guidances for him/her to truly belong. If all members of the group live by
these institutionalized requirements, then order, discipline, system, peace, and
harmony will sustained.
Social roles specify the parts or position of a person in a society. It also specifies
behaviors expected to be exhibited by an individual in practicing his/her role. Whether
aware or not, a person may play several roles, each of which influences the behaviour
of another individual. A father, for example, may play the role of parent, a spouse, a
middle age man, a person of a Filipino ancestry, a brother, a son, a mathematics
professor and the like. An individual’s behaviour undergoes changes so as to meet the
expected behaviour of every role he/she plays in particular circumstances. Thus,
when a mother is at home, she plays the role of a parent; if she is in the office as the
manager, then she plays the role of a boss.
It is important to note that social roles play an important and positive role in society.
Without these delineated roles, students, for example, will not know what to expect
from his/her teacher. Understanding the roles of others, as well as those of one’s own,
facilitate people’s ability to work together towards the common good. When people
work together in groups, the efforts of the different members need to be coordinated
with those of others to prevent chaos. This scenario is where the social roles come in.
A sociogram indicates the social structure of a group and the relationship of people
within that group. It shows who are popular, isolate, islands, and mutual friends.
Activity: Sociogram
Write down your own social role ( 10 social roles)
Familiarity
Refers to being comfortable with another person and is a necessary condition for a
close relationship to develop. Friends and lovers are those who have been around
together for so long; who have grown up together; who have gone to school together.
Research has shown that people like to associate with others who are similar to them
in terms of the following: attitudes, behaviour patterns, personal characteristics, taste
in fashion or clothes, intelligence, personality, and the likes.
Attraction
What attracts someone to another person? What makes people spend more time with
each other or with one another? Is physical attraction important at early stages of a
relationship?
Attraction may lead to deeper relationships ( Santrock, 2003). One person may be
drawn or attracted to another due to reasons like similarities or differences in
interests, personality characteristics, life goals, and lifestyles, to name a few.
Attraction paves the way for enjoying the company and being comfortable with the
other person, and for feeling of ease and confidence.
Love
Love is special attachment one has for himself/herself or for somebody else. It is an
intense feeling of a deep or constant affection and emotion in which a person always
sees to the good, happiness, and welfare of the other. The person is willing to sacrifice
or to give up something for the good of the object of his/her love. It can manifest as
love for god, spouse, children, family, or country, among others.
Three of the most common kinds of love are as follow:
1. Romantic love. Also called passionate love, it includes an intermingling of
different emotions: fear, anger, sexual desire, joy, jealousy, among others, poet
and musicians laud the fiery passion of romantic love and the pathos and pain
when it fails. It is one of the major reasons for getting married. In study by
Berschied, Snyder, or Omoto in 1989, college students chose a romantic
partner, rather than a parent or a sibling, as their closest relationship. The
result suggests that college students put a higher premium on romantic
relationships.
2. Affectionate love. Also referred to as companionate love, it is a type of love that
occurs when someone has deep and caring affection for a person and desire to
have him/her near constantly.
3. Consummate love. It is the strongest and fullest type of love ( Sternberg, 1985).
This ideal form of love involves passion, intimacy, and commitment.
The Triangular Theory of Love
In 1985, Robert Sternberg postulated that love is made up of three components:
passion, intimacy and commitment. Passion has something to do with physical and
sexual attraction to another. Intimacy is characterized by the emotional feelings of
warmth, closeness, and sharing of the relationship. Commitment is the cognitive
appraisal of the relationship and the intent to maintain it even in the face of problems.
One or a combination of these ingredients forms a kind of love or love- like feeling.
ATTITUDES
Are beliefs that predispose people to act and feel in certain way towards people,
objects, or ideas. They can either be positive or negative. A positive attitude is
reflected in a happy, pleasant, or optimistic disposition. On the other hand, a
negative attitude is associated with pessimism or general feeling of dislike. The three
distinct feature of an attitude include belief, feelings, and disposition.
For example, the negative attitude of a person towars sidewalk vendors can be
described by:
a. A belief that sidewalk vendors are dishonest;
b. A strong dislike for sidewalk vendors; and
c. A refusal to buy from sidewalk vendors.
People develop positive and negative attitudes towards certain an object because of a
direct experience with it. For instance, a child who was severely bitten by a cat will
perhaps be traumatized and will develop a phobia or dislike for cats which may persist
until adulthood. Likewise, a person who has had many enjoyable experiences in
school will tend to have a positive attitude towards school.
Attitudes are also learned from others through modelling and reinforcement. If parent
show positive towards certain ethic groups by socializing with them, their children
will develop the same attitudes towards these groups. The same things happens when
parents discriminate against certain groups. This attitude reinforces or strengths
children’s prejudices or biases.
Challenges in life are inevitable. They can result in two things: either the person
comes out stronger to face another challenge or he/she feels defeated or discouraged.
The outcome boils down to the person’s attitude, which determines how one looks at
life, events, people, and reality. Thus, a person should strive to develop positive
attitudes rather than negative ones.