Study: Some people just like liking things

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-09-11/news/ct-x-0911-trice-column-20130911_1_many-things-good-fit-person

This article in the Chicago Tribune discusses the reasons behind why some people are inclined to “like” a lot of things.  The article opens with saying that for years “social scientists have known that our likes and dislikes are a function of many things: our education, our tastes, how optimistic we are”.  But now a new study conducted by Justin Hepler at the University says there is a new component- the overall individual. They are calling at “dispositional attitude” which “gives insights into why we might like (or dislike) a slew of different things that are unrelated.”  The implications of this can tie into potential employers trying to discern whether an applicant is a good fit for the company.  Or in advertising having information and figuring whether it would effect the pitch of the product.  Studying “likes” seems irrelevant and seems highly based on speculation.  But I found this article interesting as in today’s world nearly everyone literally broadcasts their “likes” on social media especially places like social media.  And as a Advertising/Art Direction major you learn that understanding the consumer is key.  If there is a way to understand what someone likes through a test like they conducted in the survey of this article it would be very valuable. 

Joe

The 'Selfie'

      "The profile picture or avatar is a way for people to present a certain side of themselves. It also puts the person in control of their own image." 

       -The Social Psychology of the Selfie

 

       This quote comes from an article about the famous internet 'selfie' and gives the reader perspective as to why others tend to take 'selfies'. Our desire to show a controlled image to the public is what drives the 'selfie'; it's an effective way to control the way others view ourselves.

Consumerism, Sex, Advertising, and Human Nature

Consumerism, Sex, Advertising, and Human Nature
reason.tv

I saw this interview a few weeks ago and felt that it has strong correlation to social psychology. The identification of human evolution and natural drives that parallel with our economy and consumptive nature was very insightful to understanding why we shop, reproduce and share on a daily basis.

Stanford Prison Experiment

People were categorized into prisoner/detainee and faked a setting of a real prison to see the psychological transformations that would happen to these "normal" people.  The results are pretty interesting and it's scary to think that people are so susceptible to their environment: proclaimed pacifist men who were playing the guards ended up enjoying beating some of the "prisoners."
LINK HERE: http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/our-dark-hearts-stanford-prison.php

Employment Improves Autistic Symptoms

I found this interesting article that talks about how "more independent work environments may lead to reductions in autism symptoms and improve daily living in adults with the disorder".  It comes down to giving them the chance at employment, which is not necessarily easy.  It seems that employers do not generally higher those with autism because they hold the idea that it will be difficult, or that they do not have the skills.  Yes, there might be a few outbursts from frustration, but as long as they are working in a job they have an interest in, they will work hard and it will help them.  There is a lot of judgement on people who have disabilities, however if people took the time to understand them, there wouldn't be as much judgement.  Knowing someone with autism, I know in general what they go through, and I have hope that there will be more employers who know the information within this article, which will open more doors for those with autism.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140114130659.htm

Passionate Love

Passionate Love

So I found this article that defines what is passionate love and why does it need to exist in a relationship. What I found interesting about it is that it defines what is passionate love. What are the characteristics that define passion and how can they be defined. It reminded me of the time in class when we defined people's reaction to our breaking of social norms. It's a cognitive study. But what I found most interesting about the article is that "Hatfield’s and Sternberg’s models, pure passion hardly exists in the real world outside of romantic poetry, songs, and literature." But from what we studied passion must exist in a stable relationship, but if it only exists in fairy tales how are we ever to find love? I strongly believe that fairy tales and love stories are the reason why people, especially girls have a skewed view of what love is but I find that when people get that fairy tale relationship it's not what they thought or want. I mean seriously do you really want a guy that is your prince charming, completely perfect in every way or someone who makes mistakes, who is human? So I guess what I'm getting out is doesn't true passion exist in real life but it goes beyond the external behavior? 

Leave Me Alone- I'm Lonely

I stumbled upon this article while looking up types of relationships and the name of the article instantly intrigued me. Leave Me Alone- I'm Lonely is an article which analyzes how and why people distance themselves from others. In the cases presented, the parents distance themselves from their children but at the same time demand an impossible amount of attention. One second the parent will clamor for attention from their loved ones and then the next second they will push them away. The article contributed this type of behavior to wanting to be loved or cared for, but then refusing any loving or caring in fear of involving others in one's problems. Regardless, this constant back and forth action proves to be extremely taxing and frustrating for the child, and leaves the parent with a sense of empowerment and control. Clearly the parents in this article are dealing with extreme internal struggles and it's a shame that the child is roped into them, as well.