It was my first time ever working with the elderly, it was quiet interesting. However, I did experience cognitive dissonance many times; I have found myself doing actions I was told to do that did not comply with my cognition. According to Aronson, “Festinger’s theory is more than simply a theory about consistency. It is essentially a theory about sense-making: how people make sense out of their beliefs, their environment, and their behavior” (1997). In relation to my experience, an elderly woman dropped her shoe and she desperately wanted her shoe to be put back on. One of the supervisors looked at me and shook her head as in warning me not to attempt to put her shoe back on. I attempted to internally justify the behavior by suggesting that the supervisor knows best, although it was quiet obvious there was insufficient external justification, thus creating insufficient justification (Myers & Twenge, 2013). However, in the end, I did give in and finally put the poor woman’s shoe on. I felt she was entitled to have her shoe back on even though it fell off her feet. Therefore, I was unable to conform, however I did for one brief moment experience the phenomenon of obedience. According to Myers and Twenge, there is a difference between conformity and obedience. For example, conformity is “a change in behavior or belief as the result of real or imagined group pressure; obedience is “acting in accord with a direct order or command” (2013). So, my belief was not affected because I still strongly believed that the woman had absolute right to have her shoe put back on.
According to Ruvulo and Markus, “Possible selves are elements of the self-concept that represent what individuals could become, would like to become, and are afraid of be...
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...I would like to work with in the future; for example, I see myself working with the elderly rather than with children because when I was completing my service learning hours at Sinai Plaza, I felt it was exciting and extremely fulfilling. The experience and memories that I have gained from both locations made this assignment a lot more meaningful than what I was expecting. Through the process of fulfilling my duties, I learned about collectivism, in such an individualistic society. I learned that in order for a society to be successful one must have a collectivist view, in which “one adds priority to the goals of one’s group” (Myers & Twenge, 2013). Furthermore, I also learned about my interdependent self, in which I “constructed my identity in relation to others” (Myers & Twenge, 2013). For example, I played the role as a daughter, a niece, a friend, and a mother.
Comello, M. G. William James on 'possible selves': Implications for studying identity in communication contexts (2009). Communication Theory.
My life’s experience influenced my decision to become a social worker. Without getting to far in detail I have experienced both sides of the pendulum. The negative experiences are what made me a stronger person. I have a profound understanding of the destruction of a...
In the world, there are 7 billion individuals, 7 billion minds, 7 billion souls and 7 billion hearts and then there’s me. I am one out of 7 billion individuals that want to pursue the fascinating field of social work. When I was a child I wanted to be a lawyer, model, actress, doctor and so many other professions, I changed my mind quite often as most children do. One thing I was certain of was that I’m a people person. I thrive on helping others and it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Throughout this essay, I will discuss why I am a good “fit” for social work, the strengths I possess, and some of the most pressing social problems facing our country today.
42). Dialogue and conversation will increase the likelihood of accepting social responsibility and providing outreach. Understanding the team dynamics of outreach can also increase the likely hood of positive outcomes. Perception and the interpretation of self and other people will impact our relationships and behaviors with other people. Sensitive to cultural differences such as receiving soft versus hard commands at work from ethnic supervisors. A young individual develops views of self and self in the community, then emerges the lifelong fight for independence and
There are several populations that interest me however possible preferences include families that deal with domestic abuse and those who are disabled. Working with families that have experienced domestic violence is an interest because in the past I had friends whose family was dealing domestic violence and the impact could clearly in all members of the family. Seeing the difference that was made by those who worked to help their family made this population a preference. Another population that is a possible preference is are those who are disabled. The interest to help those who were disabled started when a faculty called Edelweiss opened. Up to that point there had been no interaction with those who lead different lives than myself. Through the year that was spent volunteering the changes in those that had lessons became obvious. Being able to see the achievements of those who had lessons made it a continued interest. In the past couple of years a new side of this interest was shown. There is someone that is a close friend who is disabled because of seizures who has had trouble with employers. Seeing how she has been treated made it even clearer that this population needs help and has made it a continued interest professionally and personally.
The majority of society has a goal to prosper in and fulfill their dreams— which will occur on several different paths. These paths include going into the medical field, engineering, or joining the labor force. Not only do I strive to prosper in and fulfill my dreams in the long term, but, in the short span of the next four to five years I plan to achieve my BSW and MSW from Michigan State University. Once I have received both degrees, I hope to put my hopes and dreams into action. I plan to serve those who are oppressed within society, from people of color and the LGBTQ community to women and children. More specifically, I desire to perform clinical social work at a domestic violence resource facility. Along the way, I dream to pick up bits and pieces of myself, which will allow me to learn who I am and my own self worth. Without knowing our own identities, how are we ever to pursue our hopes and dreams? We couldn’t, for our hopes and dreams are our identities too.
After visiting my grandparents several times I began to explore the hospital floor. Although shy at first, I began to talk with the patients and better understand their situations and difficulties. Each patient had his or her unique experiences. This diversity sparked an interest to know each patients individualized story. Some transcended the normal capacity to live by surviving the Holocaust. Others lived through the Second World War and the explosive 1960’s. It was at this time I had begun to service the community. Whenever a patient needed a beverage like a soda from the machine or an extra applesauce from the cafeteria, I would retrieve it. If a patient needed a nurse I would go to the reception desk and ask for one. Sometimes I played checkers or chess with them during lunch break. I also helped by mashing their food to make it easier to swallow. Soon, however, I realized that the one thing they devoured most and had an unquenchable thirst for was attention and the desire to express their thoughts and feelings. Through conversing and evoking profoundly emotional memories, I bel...
A. My interest in social work began at a young age. In middle school I started attending my school’s church and became heavily involved in the church’s youth group. It was then that I was first introduced to the act of service and what it really means to help others. As part of our activities, we would feed the homeless and visit convalescent hospitals to volunteer. By participating in these activities, I began to take interest in the homeless and elderly populations. Another avenue that sparked my interest in Social Work was a classmate’s father, who was a Social Worker for the county. He and I would have discussions about the duty of a Social Worker and I would constantly ask him questions to satiate my curiosity about the profession.
I have always favored individuals that work within the helping professions, and the ability that those individuals can have on improving the quality of life for those whom they serve. I not only admire the diversity of individuals that I have theopportunity to work in an ever changing always growing field, but I also appreciate the versatility that a career in social work presents. I believe that positive social change becomes a reality with the adherence to mutual social work core values, and recognition of the importance of human relationships for a healthy
There were quite many relations made between my service learning experiences and themes addressed in the course. Some of the connections were about human self-respect, unity, and fairness. The social ties hold people together and can support the people who do not have the power to help each other. It was interesting for me to employ my skills and knowledge I learned in the classroom to serve those who need help.
Compliance is a type of social influence where an individual does what someone else wants them to do following a request or suggestion. This is similar to obedience, but there is no direct order. There are many compliance techniques that a person can use, but for the purposes of this paper I will only be discussing two of them: Foot in the Door compliance, and Door in the Face compliance. So, initially you would make a small request from someone, and once the person agrees to this they tend to find it more difficult to refuse a bigger request.
I’ve learned that there are people who have been in the same situation that I’ve been in but that they never taken out of their situation. Seeing mothers, fathers, and children suffer physically, mentally, and financially. Ron was right, there are people suffering and I wanted and still want to help everyone I possibly can. I’ve found myself to gravity more towards kids, like kids in the system or up for adoption; even more than that I want to help older kids because they 're the one who are left behind because they 're no longer babies. I have a deeper understanding with older kid up for adoption because they usually feel left behind and with my father never being in my life I understand how it feels to be left, I was lucky that my mother kept me even though she could have given me up for adoption and my uncle Ron became my biggest role model. In the future, I basically want to build my own orphanage, but I want it to be a care center not just for kids up for adoption, or kids in the system with bad records but for adults who are just down on their luck and they need
These experiences have helped me to see and embrace the differences of others. My Hispanic culture has allowed me to become a collectivist, family oriented individual. I put others first and care about what will benefit the majority. My previous volunteer experiences within my community has also shaped my choices. I participated in Flip for Autism, a gymnastics event for those with physical and intellectual disabilities. This event opened my eyes to the many great accomplishments and limitlessness of those with disabilities and furthermore confirmed my professional
The concept of compliancy closely resembles the concept of conformity in the sense that individuals’ behaviors are adapted though the norms of their surrounding group. However, in comparison to obedience, compliancy is less as intense as obedience in which commands are given to an individual to perform behaviors and conform to beliefs by an authority figure. Compliance is more of
The social worker sets to the side the form of oppression, so it focuses on the need of social advocacy and social action. Also, coming from a low-income family I had suffer first hand hunger. My parent were poor that there were times we would eat a piece of bread and water. This event motivate me to help other people in need to provide resources that they need to better their well-being.