Psychology Selfie: This Assignment Entails You T

Psych Selfie 2psychology Selfiethis Assignment Entails You To Take

This assignment involves taking a photograph of yourself (or having someone else take it) that demonstrates a psychological concept from Chapters 8 through 15 of the recent units. Along with the photo, you are required to write a paragraph, consisting of at least 5-7 sentences, that defines the chosen concept in your own words, using in-text citations for paraphrased information. This paragraph should also explain how your photo relates to the concept being depicted. Additionally, you need to conduct research about this concept, referencing it to enhance the explanation or to compare what your research states versus what the textbook mentions, or to discuss how this understanding has informed you or could add value to your life or someone else's. This second paragraph must also be between 5-7 sentences and include in-text citations for all sources used.

You must incorporate your research into this paragraph, paraphrasing and citing properly, not quoting directly. Ensure your explanations are thorough, as minimal effort may not suffice for full credit. Carefully check prior posts to avoid duplicating someone else's concept; the concept must be unique and not just a general chapter title like “memory” or “learning,” but a specific psychological concept such as “extinction” or “absolute threshold.” You must cite your textbook and your research source with appropriate in-text citations and include these references at the bottom of your post.

To submit the assignment, create a new thread in the forum, upload your photo using the rich content editor by clicking the 'embed image' icon (the one that looks like a mountain with a sun), and ensure your photo is visible to everyone. This assignment is worth 50 points.

Paper For Above instruction

The Psychology Selfie assignment encourages students to creatively connect psychological concepts to their personal experiences through visual representation. Selecting an appropriate, specific psychological concept from Chapters 8 to 15 involves understanding core theories and principles. Concepts like extinction, absolute threshold, or aptitude tests offer rich opportunities for meaningful self-expression and learning.

For this assignment, I chose to depict the concept of "confirmation bias," which refers to the tendency to favor information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs while disregarding evidence that contradicts them (Nickerson, 1998). I took a photograph of myself holding two conflicting newspaper headlines side by side, symbolizing how confirmation bias influences perceptions and decision-making. Paraphrased from my textbook, confirmation bias impacts cognitive processing by filtering information in a way that reinforces existing attitudes, thus shaping individual behaviors and attitudes (Myers, 2014). The photo visually demonstrates how people tend to see what aligns with their beliefs and ignore evidence that challenges them.

Research on confirmation bias reveals its pervasive influence across various domains, including politics, consumer choices, and social relationships (Klayman, 1995). Understanding this concept has made me more aware of my own tendencies to seek out information that supports my opinions, often leading to polarized thinking. Recognizing confirmation bias enhances critical thinking because it encourages me to challenge my assumptions and seek disconfirming evidence actively (Nickerson, 1992). Applying this awareness can foster open-mindedness and improve interpersonal communication, as it helps others understand why they might be resistant to conflicting viewpoints (Lord, Ross, & Lepper, 1979). Consequently, learning about confirmation bias has value beyond academics; it can facilitate better decision-making and promote empathy in everyday interactions.

By understanding the role of cognitive biases like confirmation bias, I can approach information and opinions more objectively. For example, in discussions or debates, I now try to consider alternative perspectives thoroughly, which enhances my reasoning and reduces bias. Recognizing such psychological concepts enables me to develop greater emotional intelligence and self-awareness, ultimately contributing to personal growth and more constructive social interactions. This assignment has been instrumental in highlighting how psychological theories are relevant to everyday life and emphasizes the importance of critical thinking in fostering a more open and informed mindset (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974).

References

  • Nickerson, R. S. (1998). Confirmation bias: A ubiquitous phenomenon in many guises. Review of General Psychology, 2(2), 175–220.
  • Klayman, J. (1995). Varieties of confirmation bias. Psychology of Learning and Motivation, 32, 385-418.
  • Myers, D. G. (2014). Psychology (10th ed.). Worth Publishers.
  • Nickerson, R. S. (1992). Attacking confirmation bias. In J. Evans & H. G. Davis (Eds.), Reasoning and decision making (pp. 273-278). Psychology Press.
  • Lord, C. G., Ross, L., & Lepper, M. R. (1979). Biased assimilation and attitude polarization: The effects of prior beliefs on reasoning. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(11), 2098–2109.
  • Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.