The psychology of being a sports fan- SOCIAL NORMS

The psychology of being a sports fan

I think an important part of social norms is environment. Something that is consider socially normal in one environment can be deemed inappropriate in other locations. This article looks into the psychology of the super fan, specially using the Seattle SeaHawks fans as example because of their recent SuperBowl win. The identify to being from Seattle makes is the norm for people to be fans of teams were as if you were not to be a fan it goes to into a low leave violation of the seattle norm. On a more extreme scale the normal behavior of the super fan at a Seahawks game or function warrants erratic behavior that is only the norm when these people are in the certain situation of the game.

Using Social Media as New Tool to Explain Human Behavior

Using Social Media as New Tool to Explain Human Behavior


Social Media has became such an important part of the new generation, so I found this article talking about looking at social media as a way to examine the people posting. This article focuses on Facebook and twitter. For example looking "Facebook posts to determine differences in how parents talk to their children versus other friends and how they address their adult versus teen children." 

How We Make Friends

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200611/friendship-the-laws-attraction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHV4-N2LxQ

Hey Everyone this is an article on how and why we make friends! I've always found it to be very interested in what our friends say about who we are and how we choose them subconsciously or consciously. The article also reminded me of a video a saw a while back. SoulPancake sets up a ball pit with the middle of a walkway. The banner says "Take a Seat & Make a Friend." It was a cute but fascinating concept of that first interaction you make with a potential friend.

There are specific stages we go through when we become closer to a friend. This ball bit had "Life's Big Questions" printed on them and two people would go into the ball pit at a time, asking each other these questions.

The "dark matter of friendship" that the article touches base on is evident here. There is a self disclosure that makes a a true friendship. These two strangers are becoming closer with every question. They are disclosing information about themselves that forms the buddy effect. It is not the most conventional way to make a new friend, but seems like a guaranteed good time :)

Food Choices Are Influenced By Social Norms

Social Norms influence how people dress, act, etc however I never thought that they would have an impact on our food choices.  The article talks about the influence of social norms on our food choices, consciously or unconsciously.  Studies were conducted about the amount of food intake and eating habits, such as eating healthy.  Thinking about this information, I began to realize the influence peers can have on eating and what that could mean for the future.  From personal experience, I have been less inclined to eat unhealthy foods while around friends and family who eat extremely healthy.  Today, there are major health issues related to what type of food is eaten and the amount that is consumed of that food.  If social norms influence that, it opens up a whole different range of ideas in relation to dealing with certain eating disorders or health problems.  It might be reconsidered how rehabilitation centers are organized, etc.  Although more research needs to be done, this idea can change a lot of aspects about our society today.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270722.php

Cocaine Users Enjoy Social Interactions Less

Based on a study at the University of Zurich, there is evidence that cocaine users find social interactions “less rewarding”.  It goes on to explain other problems for those who chronically use cocaine, such as a lack of empathy.  Obviously, this lack of interest in social interactions supports the fact that users are less likely to stop using when urged by family and friends.   The article points out aspects of cocaine users, which are striking: “difficulties to take the mental perspective of others, show less emotional empathy, find it more difficult to recognize emotions from voices, behave in a less prosocial manner in social interactions, and they reported fewer social contacts”.  All of these aspects are alarming.  It seems as though they are heading toward traits that can cause problems.  All of these traits would make it easier for a chronic cocaine users to break the law.  I am thinking in the context of attacking another person.  If they are less likely to show emotional empathy and recognize emotion in voices, they would be more willing to attack someone, because they do not put themselves in the other persons shoes and feel sorry for them for what they are doing.  Are cocaine users more likely to commit certain crimes because of these attributes?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140120173338.htm

Social norms strongly influence vaccination decisions and the spread of disease

http://www.healthcanal.com/public-health-safety/47670-social-norms-strongly-influence-vaccination-decisions-and-the-spread-of-disease.html

This article is about the dangers of social norms and how they can affect critical thinking regarding matters such as vaccination.  When vaccine scares are on the rise, it becomes more socially acceptable for parents to refuse to have their children vaccinated.  Many vaccines are mandatory for children attending public schools, but even then, parents can apply for an exemption. The more people refuse vaccinations, the less effective the vaccination is toward the disease, and the disease will eventually come back. Because the opinions of others are so important to us, if we see other people refusing to vaccinate their child, we accept that it is okay to also refuse it.

Dreams of 'self-discovery' destroying marriage, claims psychologist

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/feb/13/self-discovery-marriage-psychologist-suffocation-model

This article provides some insight on the role of marriage, how it has changed over time, and how it affects the marriage success rate of today.  The divorce rate has grown since the 1800s, when a successful marriage was more about bearing children and putting food on the table. In present day, however, there is a higher emphasis on love and companionship, and many look for a relationship in which they can grow psychologically over time to be the best person they can be with the help of their spouse. Because of hectic lives and limited time to focus on this, people find themselves feeling emotionally unfulfilled in their marriages.