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...
... middle of paper ...
...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.
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.
As we grow up we are told to be individuals, but once we grow up we obey authority figures and change our beliefs to fit in with others. No matter what age we are we will always comply to a behavior or belief to fit in with a group different than ours or to be liked. We do not like to be judged or looked at as an outsider; this will remain the same in which ever situation we find ourselves in. Whether it be in a professional setting such as work or a social setting with friends. When thinking of conformity and obedience we mostly think of cults and prisons but it is not always the case.
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.
Comello, M. G. William James on 'possible selves': Implications for studying identity in communication contexts (2009). Communication Theory.
My family, the cultural group and society I belong to has had an effect on who I am so when I have a client, I need look at all those things with my client as well. I have realized the importance of family in who people are. This work has made me aware of the diversity that my country has and a country we should not at one culture has been more superior than another.
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
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
Conformity, compliance and obedience are behavioural consequences of social influence (real or imagined social pressure) that occur in the presence of a group or other individuals (Elsenbroich & Xenitidou, 2012). Often these concepts are misinterpreted as being the same or even synonymous and while they do have similarities they are also very dissimilar. In social psychology conformity, compliance and obedience are distinct concepts that coincide due to their effect on behaviour in the presence of others. Pascual, Line Felonneau, Guéguen & Lafaille (2013) define conformity as an altering of behaviour and beliefs in an individual in order to reflect the behaviour and beliefs of the group that holds influence, though Myers (2014) emphasises that
However the significance, and the confidence that I have managed to maintain as a stylist and a member of my community, I am certain that I could contribute very positively in the human services field. I am comfortable around the public and have been a shoulder “to cry on” for years. I try to practice professionalism as expected and develop relationships that I truly appreciate. I am hopeful and anticipate that things will go well for me, my fellow students and with our future clients.
While volunteering there, I was placed in a local long-term care home for the elderly. This experience was highly beneficial. Working along side, nurses, care aids and other health care professionals was my first view inside the “system”. Volunteering at the Care Home, did not necessarily make up my mind on the field of social work but solidified my desire to work in the field of human services. I learnt from this experience at the hospital how profound my compassion for others truly was. It was not until my first year of college, that I started to volunteer with an organization that I am still with today and absolutely adore volunteering with. That organization is the Vernon Women’s Transition House in Vernon BC. I started off by filling in for employees who met in weekly meetings. While on the floor, I met many women who were in a place of ‘in-between’ and safety. This experience was eye opening. After a brief stay out-of-town, I returned to Vernon and again volunteered with the transition house – this time in another program: Support to Young Parents. This is an incredible housing program where young mothers who have fled abuse (potentially without the resources or parenting skills they truly need) can live long term. This apartment consists of 6 units, with the 7th unit converted into a resource and common space. The program
“Humans are not a rational animal, but a rationalizing one” (“Class 20”). This was asserted by the much acclaimed, significant, and influential social psychologist Leon Festinger as referencing to his theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Social psychology is “a branch of psychology particularly concerned with understanding social behaviors such as” incentive and compliance (Sheehy). Festinger’s contributions to the social and cognitive branches of psychology as well psychology overall prove themselves worthy to today. This theory specifically challenged many common notions that were seemingly already accepted by behaviorists everywhere during his time (Tavris and Aronson). Its reality awakens its verifications. Consecutively, its “enormous motivational power” affects many on a daily basis (Tavris and Aronson). In the final analysis, the theory of Cognitive Dissonance by Leon Festinger is fundamental to behaviorism while directly changing the way human beings across the planet think and do.
There are many social influences which have an effect or lasting effect on the behavior of an individual. Within many group scenarios, conformity and obedience play a large role in how people tend to think and behave, especially if they get carried away. Obedience refers to compliance to an authority figure or with others in a group. On the other hand, conformity refers to an individual changing their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors to accommodate with the standards of a group or their peers. Both of which are pure examples of how human behavior changes based on certain social situations. Obedience and conformity both occur during situations of social facilitation, social loafing, and groupthink.
An individual’s possible self is a significant aspect of their life to understand what their future may or may not hold. An individual’s possible self also presents a conceptual connection linking cognition and motivation (Markus & Nurius, 1986). “Projecting one’s self into the future involves creating possible selves that represent what they could become, what they would like to become, and what they are afraid of becoming” (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2007). The stages of Reflective Judgment have distinguished itself by its ability to illustrate the development of reasoning from adolescence to adulthood. The stages of reflective judgment illustrate the beliefs of knowledge and how it influences the development of decisive or reflective thinking skills. Jane is a senior in High School who has her life perfectly planned out. Or does she?
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.
At one point in life, at a young age or as a resident in an elderly home, the question of who am I will arise. It is a convoluted mesh of thoughts and feelings that a person will go through before coming up with an answer. Some people may even experience cognitive dissonance in trying to explain different stages of life, while others will be comfortable in responding instantaneously with minimal cognition. In going through this process and drawing up the ‘who am I’ and individual is further confronted with others people’s perception. Where does this lead, when presented with other’s opinion, and what is it based it on? Response from outside sources is mainly based on perspective concerning an individual’s personality.