Individual in Society: Self-Identity, Discrimination and Reflection

This essay delves into the complexities of individual behavior within society, utilizing the framework of levels of analysis (biological, psychological, and environmental/social) to understand human actions. It reflects on personal experiences and insights gained from the course 'Individual in Society,' focusing on topics such as self-identity, prejudice, and discrimination. The essay explores the concepts of self-awareness, self-esteem, and the impact of social perceptions, while also examining the prevalence and implications of prejudice and discrimination based on factors like race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. It highlights the importance of understanding these social issues and promoting equality and inclusion within society. The document is available on Desklib, a platform providing study tools and solved assignments for students.

Running head: INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY
INDIVIDUAL IN SOCIETY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University;
Author note:

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Part 1
In order to comprehend the complex actions and behavioural patterns of social beings in
the society, psychologists have aimed to observe a unique range of factors. However, the various
dimensional factors have offered an explicitly understood framework which aids to comprehend
things in simplistic techniques that is regarded as ‘Levels of Analysis’ whereby the behavioural
patterns of individuals along with its reasons and implications can be identified and evaluated at
three vital levels namely biological, psychological and environmental as well as social level
(Passer, Smith & Norris 2016). However, the framework of levels of analysis has been
considered to have been involved in evaluating the daily course of human behaviour whereby the
biological level of analysis examines the several chemical combinations, neural courses and
structures and further aids humans to regulate their hunger or any other emotions. However, the
psychological level determines the emotional level of humans along with the relative intentions
of eating or being responsive. Furthermore, at the environmental and social level of analysis
focuses on specific incentives and motivational patterns that involves the smell or appearance
various kinds of food which may further act as an influential factor for eating or related to other
cultural aspects that would impact the food preferences (Myers & Haslam, 2016). However, it is
important to note that recent observations tend to demonstrate the increasing rate of interaction
with nature and process of nurture interact whereby the biological competence tend to influence
human behaviour and experiences humans undergo that affect human’s biological abilities. Thus,
the significant implications of the framework of levels of analysis signify the biological,
psychological and social aspects must be taken into consideration in order to attain a holistic
understanding of human behaviour.

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The psychological framework of levels of analysis has not only facilitated the way
humans can interpret and evaluate the behaviour of others. Thus the levels of analysis have
provided individuals with new and enhanced insights that would facilitate individuals to interpret
the behavioural patterns and emotional level of the ones with whom they develop relationships.
The level of analysis has aided my level of understanding whereby through the evaluation of
psychological level I could effortlessly interpret the behavioural patterns of one of my college
mate who revealed immense degree of shyness and possess high rate of introversion especially
while engaging with unknown people. Feelings of attraction, intimacy and belonging have
played a significant contributing role during the course of my college life which has been
intensively been focused at the psychological level of interpreting framework. Here I would like
to shed light on one of my previous experiences whereby I encountered a young woman in my
history class and gradually developed a sense of attraction and belongingness. However, such
feelings or emotions can trigger several intriguing questions such as “Where does this sense of
attraction occur? Whether it is biological of has been developed. However, by thoroughly
observing the levels of analysis in this course I could evaluate the causes and understandings of
such emotions which further encompass a wide range of areas of subjects. This course has aided
me to understand the various aspects of initial impressions, belongingness that includes various
concepts related to beauty, sex as well as evolution. However, the recent range of studies have
been shedding light on various areas of attraction and appeal, studies aim to focus on the way
individuals develop pre-judgemental notions to the appearances of peers and associates prior to
the establishment of any association. These notions have also been encountered by me whereby I
have noticed many of my peers to make pre-judgemental attitudes and behaviours while
interacting with people of various cultural backgrounds.

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Part 2
Reflection
My earlier assignment associated to Learning Journal 1 has been capable of providing
considerable degree of awareness and adequate knowledge with its competence to offer brief
and distinct connection between the levels of analysis and my level of understanding in relation
to the experiences and knowledge I have obtained. Furthermore, keeping the earlier
understandings and techniques of Learning Journal 1 in consideration, I have aimed to improve
my comprehensive skills and decree over the areas which have been covered in this course of
Learning Journal 2. However, it is important to recognize the significant understanding and
inclusive learning which I have attained while working on the previous learning course that has
aided me to enhance my competence skills and understanding to value the subject areas which
have been offered to us in this following Journal. The book ‘Individual in the Society’ has been
provided to us while commencing the course which is considered as the foundation of this
learning course. The book comprises of several chapters which deals with various areas related
to social psychology, conformity and obedience, individuals dealing with sense of attraction and
intimacy as well as aggression. It has come to my realization that the subjects related to self-
identity and recognition, acts of prejudice and attraction or intimate associations would
facilitate my knowledge and awareness and aid me in my personal life experiences and
behaviour. Furthermore, this course of learning journal 2 has also assisted me to perceive the
societal issues and complexities that would aid me in my personal life experiences.
Reflection 1 Self and Identity

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One of the significant topics covered in this learning journal is ‘Self and Identity’. The
concepts associated to this subject has recently received great degree of global awareness and
perceptive which individuals possess for themselves. The sub topics comprising this subject are
related to spotlight effects and illusion of transparency, sense of self-concept as well as self-
esteem. The perception of self-concept has developed a sense of interest within me while
intending to obtain a greater degree of social understanding in order to perceive the world as well
as ourselves. The aspects which increased my level of interest and knowledge towards these
subjects as they essentially deal with the beliefs and notions about oneself that further aids to
organize and assist individuals to in developing the knowledge of self-relevant knowledge and
information (Myers & Haslam, 2016). The sub topics associated with concepts of social
interface which further relies on individuals who develop the knowledge of their and other
identities. Aspects related to social conception and recognition is considered as a comprehensive
observation as they underpin the daily life patterns of every individual. As a result, gathering
dynamic understanding through the dimensions of self identity, self recognition, and social-
conception along with the concepts of spotlight effects have led to attain comprehensive
awareness of the topic in a generalized manner (Myers & Haslam, 2016).
At this juncture it is significant to understand that the essential factors of self-
conceptualization being positioned on the field of psychology have provided great degree of
assistance to observe the way individuals acquire the ability to improve their competence level
with the plethora of such knowledge associated to psychological health conditions. The level of
awareness while studying these topics have revealed the way certain conventional and modern
perceptions of self have experienced certain rapid shifts whereby the previous thoughts were
associated with dimensions of secularization whereby it has been perceived that religious

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perceptions and ideologies requires to be considered as an intentional concern that has no
specific obligation on others belonging to the society with other factors like education and
knowledge that would lead to the societal development and mobility (Myers & Haslam, 2016).
“Education is the most powerful weapon with which you can use to change the world” –this
famous quote stated by one of the most recognized leader Nelson Mandela has revealed the way
an increase to the level of awareness aids individuals to observe their own identities.
Furthermore, effective leadership skills can be developed through well-established as well as
influential sense of self-awareness and identification (Holt et al., 2015). Certain factors regarding
“Spotlight Effect” has revealed the way individuals at have experienced certain situations which
have led to high rate of embarrassment and discomfort. This factor of ‘Spotlight effect’ had once
led me face an embarrassing situation where I gathered perceptions of my performance in a
debate regarding the approach I chose to speak about the particular subject and the way others
would perceive it.
It is important to note that observing the concepts of self-concept and awareness covered
in Learning Journal 2 has aided to recognize the way this current cohort segment has been
immensely engaging themselves into the domain of self-awareness and self-esteem. It must
further be noted that the sub topics covered in this chapter has revealed potential threats and
challenges for generation who have been preoccupied with certain fantasies of unobstructed
accomplishments and idealistic aims and objectives which in the future will fail to provide
effective outcomes in our lives.
Reflection 2 Prejudice and Discrimination

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Factors associated to forms of discrimination have always attained a significant level of
understanding in recent times with the increasing rate of prejudice and discrimination in the
society. Although the elementary understanding of racism, stigma and dominance have
previously been attained by me but it has eventually been established that these terminologies
comprise greater level of implications and fundamental implications which have been highly
prevalent through the conventional and modern ideologies existing in human society. The areas
of associated with racism, intergroup behaviour and bystander effects have gathered my attention
as these areas comprising of other essential underlying significance will facilitate me in
developing my daily experiences.
The acts of prejudice and discrimination comprise of several facets, which is one of the
reasons I intend to shift my concentration in order to gather an enhanced level of understanding
on this domain. The lectures offered by our supervisor have highlighted certain areas of these
acts which were previously not been given adequate significance. As a result, these areas have
my raised my level of concern towards the implication of prudence and hostility which have
increased the rates of discrimination and inequity in the society as well as the rest of the world.
The concepts associated with stigma have affected the level of dignity, self-esteem and welfare of
individuals. Stigma along with its impact on self-stigma has been encouraging certain level of
derogatory and disparaging stereotypes and consequently generates unconstructive emotional
responses (Myers & Zinkiewicz, 2016). The learning course 2 has further enlightened my
knowledge based on several forms of inequity and discrimination based on factors associated to
racism, bystander effects, age and ethnic backgrounds. The in-depth understanding of these
subject areas have led me to gather knowledge about the way homosexual men and women have
been experiencing widespread rate of inequity and discrimination based on factors associated to

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sexual identity. At this juncture, I must highlight certain critical social activist movements which
have been taken place in Australia in recent times whereby social activists have been shedding
light on the ways individuals must start perceiving others with nationalism rather than viewing
individuals on the basis of their skin colour or ethnicity. Furthermore, the marketing domain has
often demonstrated acts of sex stereotypes, sex roles as well as acts of ambivalent sexism
towards women (Myers & Zinkiewicz, 2016). Advertisers of vintage times and contemporary
days have perceived women as subjects associated to positive labels such as benevolent sexism
and hostile prejudice. On the other hand several advertisements have demonstrated women as
mere objects solely associated with household chores and liabilities.
At this juncture, it is essential to note that the factors associated to ethnicity, racism and
sexism have not posed such implication in the Australian society. However, certain observations
have exposed the increasing rate of criticisms and accusations of few ethnic groups who have
been facing certain upsetting circumstances in recent times due to the growing rate of injustice
and inequity (Myers & Denson, 2016). Certain other aspects associated with the crucial
implications of sexism and sexual orientation whereby individuals promoting such acts are
facing immense rate of bullying and harassment further hampering their level of peace and thus
losing the harmony towards the society where they live. Recent reports stated in the workbook
have explicitly revealed the way around 50% of homosexual men and women have been
experiencing hostile situations in NSW from the opponent groups (Myers & Denson, 2016). The
lectures and notes on these subjects have undoubtedly facilitated the level of my awareness as
the generation to which I belong has been persistently developing notions that result in
demeaning the older generations because of their inclination towards prejudiced or decisive
characteristics towards concepts of sexual orientation and racism.

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Reflection 3 Attraction and Intimate Relationships
Humans tend to tend to seek association and belonging of others in various situational
contexts. However, we, humans with the aim of experiencing ultimate pleasure and reliability
from others develop the need to develop associations with others to have proper sustainability in
our lives. Dynamics of attraction, physical appeal, familiarity and associations along with
various forms of .love and affection have increased the level of my inclination and attention
towards these areas ((Myers & Haslam, 2016). Relationships have the tendency to undergo
certain alterations and despondency when we tend to develop sense of affection and attraction
with others as a result it has come to my realization that as social breed my rate of interest has
lied towards these topics.
Dynamics of intimacy and attraction have been regarded as one of the significant
concepts of this chapter which states the varied range of positive feelings and emotions towards
others through friendly associations, fondness, and appreciation along with feelings related to
love or lust. Smile or cheerful facial expressions have often been referred as attractive or
appealing that often produce evolutionary beneficial outcomes. Thus leaders like US President
Barack Obama has always posed a cheerful and positive behaviour while delivering speeches
and at other political events in order to produce optimistic and encouraging outcomes. Factors
associated with passionate and empathetic feeling of love have explicitly been demonstrated in
this course. However, the lectures given Sternberg’s three factors of love related to intimacy,
commitment with the intention to sustain the association regardless of complexities that may take
place. Furthermore, this topic has explicitly observed the varied forms of love like passionate as
well as compassionate love. However, I believe that the Passionate Love Scale measuring the
degree of love vary with the characteristics of individuals and the degree to which sincerely

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compassionate couples have the tendency to demonstrate the scales of love. However, in recent
times individuals often reveal high rate of inclination towards personality characteristics which
develop a sense of attraction and belongingness towards their partners. The lectures on
contemporary relationships have revealed the increasing rate of apathy towards their partners
which as a result leads to the damage of the relationships and resulting breakup. However,
certain non-interactive factors related to love have also been contributing a crucial role in cases
of disintegration of love and breakups among modern couples (Myers & Karantzas, 2016). The
desire for liberty and freedom from a distressful relationship urges one of leaving his or her
partner. However I believe no individual shall be involved in any upsetting or aggressive
relationship and further has the authority to live life in one’s own way. Furthermore, the concept
of Sternberg’s Love Triangle that has been evaluated in this discussion reveals the persistent
complexities and issues some relationships undergo which results in getting involved with other
individuals that form a complex triangle of three persons (Myers & Karantzas, 2016).
Furthermore, focusing on the concept of Love Triangle is often perceived as an ideal
form of love with the amalgamation of intimacy, healthy and satisfied romantic association
(Myers & Karantzas, 2016). However, reports state both men and women in particular value the
intimacy component in any association.
Involvement of Learning Journal 2 to my understanding of social psychology and scholarly
writing
At this juncture, I must recognize and further acknowledge the highly enhanced
observation and awareness I have attained by exploring this learning course that has aided me to
change my perceptions. The subjects related to prejudice and discrimination, affection and

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intimacy along with self-identity as well as the sub topics associated with it have facilitated my
level of awareness and have provided me with better understanding rather than their elementary
connotations and insights. The lectures, subjects and notes covered in Learning Journal 2 has
further casted light on the serious and concerning societal matters which previously were beyond
my domain of awareness and knowledge. Lectures and the insights gained from the areas
associated with attraction and intimacy has aided me to develop my insights towards forming
association with my family and close ones and learn about the limitations one needs to draw
while involved in a relationships. Developing awareness on areas related to inequity,
discrimination has guided my ideologies which would further aid me in my future societal
actions. Furthermore, observing the concepts and ideas of self-identity has not only assisted me
to learn about my own skills and abilities and further developed my level of confidence and
dignity. Thus, I must acknowledge this learning course for transforming my inner abilities and
competencies and would also aim to help my peers develop similar forms of understandings and
knowledge.

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References
Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., Vliek, M., Passer, M. W., & Smith, R. E.
(2015). Psychology: the science of mind and behaviour.-. LondonMcGraw-Hill
Education9780077169848.
Myers, D. G. & Denson, T. (2016). Aggression: Hurting others. In T. Griffin (Ed.), 101557: The
Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 235-270). North Ryde, Australia: McGraw-Hill
Australia
Myers, D. G. & Haslam, N. (2016). Behaviour and attitudes. In T. Griffin (Ed.), 101557: The
Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 116-145). North Ryde, Australia: McGraw-Hill
Australia.
Myers, D. G. & Haslam, N. (2016). The self in a social world. In T. Griffin (Ed.), 101557: The
Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 73-114). North Ryde, Australia: McGraw-Hill
Australia.
Myers, D. G. & Karantzas, G. (2016). Attraction and intimacy: Liking and loving others. In T.
Griffin (Ed.), 101557: The Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 272-321). North Ryde,
Australia: McGraw-Hill Australia.
Myers, D. G. & Zinkiewicz, L. (2016). Prejudice: Disliking others. In T. Griffin (Ed.), 101557:
The Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 190-233). North Ryde, Australia: McGraw-Hill
Australia.

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Passer, M. W., Smith, R. E., & Norris, K. (2016). The science of psychology. In T. Griffin (Ed.),
101557: The Individual In Society, (3rd ed., pp. 5-34). North Ryde, Australia: McGraw-
Hill Australia