Psychology: Interpersonal Processes Assignment - Thuy Thu Dinh

This assignment delves into key concepts within introductory psychology, focusing on interpersonal processes. Task A addresses the factors that attract individuals to each other, providing insights into physical exposure, social rewards, similarity, and physical attractiveness. It also explores altruism, distinguishing between genuine, ethical hedonism, and reciprocal altruism. Additionally, the assignment examines aggression, differentiating between instrumental and hostile aggression, and outlining psychodynamic and evolutionary approaches to understanding it. Task B analyzes the Milgram experiment on destructive obedience and the Asch study on conformity, exploring factors influencing these social influences. Task C reflects on the student's understanding of altruism and its different forms, including genuine altruism, highlighting the complexity of identifying truly selfless acts. The assignment demonstrates an understanding of psychological theories and their practical applications in real-world scenarios.

Introduction to psychology
Introduction to Psychology
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Introduction to Psychology
Interpersonal Processes
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Task A. Answer three (3) of the following learning objectives (~300 words)
1. Describe the factors that attract people to each other
The prime factors that attract people towards each other, as given by Burton
L, Westen D and Kolwaski R are:
1. Physical exposure referring the level of interaction and familiarity. It
was stated by the Baumeister & Bushman (2008) that after this initial
exposure the people are seen to have a more positive attitude towards
the same kind of stimulus.
2. Social reward where the benefits and rewards are being brought in the
relationship. This can be in the form of the wealth or social status.
3. Similarity is when the sharing of values, attitudes and interests takes
place.
4. Physical attractiveness referring towards the one’s attractiveness and
physical beauty.
2. What is altruism? Distinguish among the theories of altruism.
When the people are seen to act so as to benefit other people and not
themselves, even if it is inducing harms and money to themselves.
The various theories of altruism are mentioned below:
• Genuine altruism: This theory of altruism is not connected with the
social status, religion obligation, appreciation towards others and
personal interests. This is concerned majorly on kindness and
compassion.
• Ethical Hedonism: This theory of altruism is based on bringing pleasure
towards the actors as compared to anything they spend on themselves.
These pleasures are basically ranging from the emotional satisfaction
and lessening the negative feelings
• Reciprocal altruism: This is based on the momentary altruistic where the
last motivation is considered to be the actor’s benefit. The cost of

altruism is usually seen to be overcome by the benefit of the act. (Burton
L, Westen D and Kolwaski R)
3. What is aggression? Describe the major theoretical approaches
to understanding aggression.
A kind of social interaction like words or the behaviour that is seen to hurt,
discomfort or damage the other people. There are two types of aggressions:
• Instrumental Aggression: This type of responses are usually intentional or
goal oriented actions.
• Hostile Aggression: This type of responses are an outbreak in nature which
are not even desired by the subject.
The following are the major theoretical approaches to understanding
aggression:
 According to Aidan S, a psychodynamic view was presented.
It included the instinctive action like memory or even thoughts regardless of the
meditational control. It was seen that the aggressive behaviors were an outcome
of individuals feeling helpless and even driven greatly by the various aggressive
urges namely embarrassed, angry and disappointed.
 According to David M. B. (1997), an evolutionary view was presented.
The formation of any kind of behavior is contributed due to the thought
processes. It is seen that the human nature is no entirely good or bad. Their
nature is determined by what they’ve learnt. Usually the meditational processes
namely the thoughts and learning contribute to the aggressive actions.
Thuy Thu Dinh
s3463194

Task B: Online line activity with specific questions to be answered on Social
influence (obedience and conformity) (~200 words)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOYLCy5PVgM
1. Why did Milgram study (destructive obedience) and how many people went
right to the end of the experiment?
The prime level of compliance of Milgram experiment subjects towards the orders of
the authority is the main motive of the Milgram experiment. Many people were seen
to be highly uncomfortable, hesitant and even stressed and various questions were
posed questioning the purpose of the order but it was also seen that majority of the
subjects did learn a great lesson owing to the dictation of the authority. With the help
of this study, Milgram explained various reasons associated with the crimes
committed by the Nazi Germany. It was seen that 65% of the total participants went
till the end of the experiment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA
2. In Asch’s original study, what factors affect conformity?
In Asch’s original study, the experiment subjects were seen to provide answers
for conforming to the majority of the participants. Although they themselves
would be able to identify the correct answers even in the case of wrong
answers. In this study, the factors affecting the conformity were normative
influences where the subjects provided same results due to the fear of being
stigmatized or even mocked owning to the differences. Secondly the

informational influence where it was speculated that the majority of people
were correct. A person having low self-esteem are not highly confident and are
more like to conform to any answer.
Task C. Either describes the most interesting/surprising aspect of the
chapter or apply (or explain) some aspect of this material to your life (or
your future work life). (~100 words)
The best part I liked about the chapter was the lessons and understand on the
concepts of altruism. There are three important types of altruism namely the
Genuine, ethical and reciprocal altruism. It was seen that the reciprocal and
ethical are highly obvious and has already been proved by various reseachers. I
although doubt the existence of Genuine altruism. There are times when it is
difficult to identify the cases of Genuine altruism due to the natural
consequences of altruism in the pleasure even in the case we might not be
feeling it.
Thuy Thu Dinh
s3463194

References
 Aidan, S. Psychodynamic Approach. Retrieved from
http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/newResources/approaches/AS_AQB_approa
ches_PsychodynamicBasics.pdf
 Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B. (2008). Social Psychology and Human
Nature, 1st edn. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
 Burton, L., Westen, D., & Kowalski, R. (2015). Psychology: Psychological
disorders, 4th edn. Milton Qld. John Wiley.
 David M. B. (1997). Clinical Psychology Review. Vol. 17. No. 6, pp. 605-
619. Elserier Science Ltd.