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Showing posts from September, 2023

Unraveling the Connection between Terrorism and Social Psychology

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By Sania Goyal (2020MT10842) Terrorism is a subject that has dominated headlines and political discussions for years. It is a grim and pressing global issue that has left countless lives shattered and many communities in turmoil. It affects us in ways that we cannot even imagine. It affects both the person performing the act and those who are at the receiving end. One aspect that demands our attention as students is the profound relationship between terrorism and social psychology. Understanding this intricate connection is crucial for devising effective strategies to counteract extremist ideologies and promote peace in our world. Terrorism is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with deep-seated roots in the realms of social psychology. Understanding this relationship can help us grasp the underlying factors that drive individuals to join extremist groups and engage in acts of violence. We'll explore the connection between terrorism and social psychology, shedding light on the co...

Controlling the Self : Exploring the Boundaries of Personal Agency

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~ Rama Bharti(2020MT10834)          The concept of selfhood is a complex and multifaceted one, encompassing our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even our sense of identity. As we navigate through life, we often find ourselves grappling with the question of how much control we truly have over these various aspects of our selves. Are some features of selfhood easier to control than others?      In this blog, I will be discussing the fascinating world of self-control and examine the extent to which we can shape and direct different facets of our selves. I will be also discussing how concepts of The Social Actor, The Motivated Agent, and The Autobiographical Author offer valuable perspectives on how we navigate our identities and self-control within the context of social interactions, motivations, and self-narratives. Understanding the Self-Control:      Self-control is the ability to regulate one's thoughts, emotions, and behav...

Exploring the Psychology Behind Fundamental Attribution Error (By Ayush Kumar Baranwal)

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Hi peeps! Have you ever found yourself jumping to conclusions about someone's character based on a single action or behavior? And have you ever blamed the situation instead if you yourself performed that same action? If so then you've likely encountered the fundamental attribution error , a cognitive bias that affects how we perceive and judge others. In this blog, we'll dive deep into the concept of the Fundamental Attribution Error, its causes, and its real-world implications. You can rest assured that understanding this psychological phenomenon can help you become more empathetic and fair in your assessments of others. Fundamental Attribution Error refers to our innate propensity to overemphasize the influence of environmental circumstances while underestimating the influence of an individual's internal attributes or personality traits when we judge ourselves, while doing just the reverse when we judge others. This cognitive bias can result in misunderstandings, inc...

Understanding Social Cognition: A Guide to Navigating Through the Social Jungle ( By Aditya Singh)

 Have you ever wondered how we make sense of our complex social surroundings? Why do we form opinions, make predictions, and develop attitudes about the people we meet? Hello and welcome to the fascinating field of social cognition in social psychology. In this blog, we'll dig into the fascinating world of social awareness and attitudes, looking at the tools our minds use to simplify this complex environment. Simplifying Our Social Environment Consider how many bits of information bombard your senses daily, from items to noises, smells to people. What do we make of it all? Schema, a mental model that helps us organize and predict behaviour, is one of our cognitive tools. Schemas enable us to navigate our reality correctly. For example, when we see a dog, we use our schema to predict its behaviour — barking, fetching, and relishing treats. Heuristics are a type of mental shortcut that helps with complex decision-making. Think about the "representativeness heuristic." We co...