University Psychology Module: Reflective Writing Assignment

This reflective writing assignment explores the student's understanding of key concepts in social psychology. The assignment delves into three main areas: self-esteem, prejudice and discrimination, and attraction and close relationships. The student reflects on the relevance of self-esteem, discussing its impact on confidence and the ability to navigate social situations. The section on prejudice examines its causes and effects, along with relevant theories. Finally, the assignment explores attraction and intimacy, examining factors like proximity and similarity, and their impact on relationships. The student reflects on how these psychological concepts relate to their own social world and personal development, highlighting the benefits of understanding these concepts in fostering stronger relationships and navigating social challenges. The assignment includes relevant references to support the discussion.

Running Head: REFLECTIVE WRITING
Reflective Writing
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1REFLECTIVE WRITING
Self-Identity
Under this respective factor, the key major topic that I feel more relevant and effective to
consider as a strong part of my discussion is related to certain beneficial features that are
associated with the function of self-esteem.
What interested me about this topic Self-Esteem?
As compared to the internal prospective that is associated with the actual vision of
individual mind, it is considered to be a stated factor that when we basically try to value and
understand ourselves and maintain a better mode of self-esteem, we may completely feel secured
and worthwhile (Cheung, Sedikides and Wildschut 2016). The other part under this respective
behavioral system can be that we will try to understand our internal abilities along with
developing our own confidence where this can enhance us to maintain an adaptive mode of
positive relationship with people whom we interact with. According me I feel that these
respective factors that are associated with the system of self-esteem can be a better platform
where I can develop certain demonstrative qualities within me where I can remain much open
towards many learning and feedback. This will also guide me under the area of acquiring and
mastering new and innovative skills.
Concepts related to Self-Esteem
Some of the major concepts that are related to the system of self-esteem are generally
categorized under the following heads which involves certain factors that are related to identity,

2REFLECTIVE WRITING
appreciation, acceptance and many others. The major behavioral part associated with the
respective concepts is mentioned below.
 According to me in order to understand certain factors that are associated with my sense
can only be evaluated and measured through the process of asking a question to myself
“Who I am?. Under this respective part, this will give us clear idea about the actual
context and numerous situations that we move across (Ferris et al 2015). I believe that
when we are spending our time more with our friends and colleagues we may try to
demonstrate a differentiated character within us where I according to me this moreover
considered to be a healthy approach compared to many studies that I have conducted.
 As compared to the functional prospective related to the behavioral part of appreciation,
this is something that is related to value ability, express and enjoy gratitude on what we
actually have (Cheung, Sedikides and Wildschut 2016). Developing this within myself
can guide me under the area of understanding and evaluating my own personal strength
factors, relationship characteristics and other accomplishments that are related to my
internal well-being.
 When we receive a gift from someone, it is important for us to understand the positive
behavioral factor that is associated with the respective individual who offers us with
something rather than giving more emphasis on what we receive in the form of gift. It is
important to develop a favorable mode of acceptance in order make yourself more
prepared and advanced for future.

3REFLECTIVE WRITING
How self-esteem is relevant to my social world?
As discussed earlier, certain factor that are associated with the system of developing an
effective self-esteem behavior should be considered as the major initiative that is required to be
implemented in me in order to remain more prepared and demonstrative to face the future. This
will first guide me under the area of evaluating the actual internal factors that are associated with
my behavioral part where this can play a major role in building my confidence where I will
measure and understand my actual potential to work with more reliability and consistency
further.
Prejudice and Discrimination
The most relevant topic according to me which I consider more relevant and suitable to
conduct a brief discussion under this respective part is about the factor of prejudice or bias that
can be caused within the organization or between the individuals both in the internal and external
environment.
What interested me about the topic prejudice?
As compared to the functional aspects that are related to the internal prospective of an
individual, this is considered to be a major part which helps in understanding and evaluating the
actual reason behind the system of disliking caused among the individuals due to numerous
reasons that are associated with the thinking behavioral characteristics of individuals (Nemec,
Swarbrick and Legere 2015). The most interesting part of the study can be that, prejudice is
considered to be a feeling of a person which is effective that is entirely related to the respective
individuals professed group membership. Apart from this, it also gives a clear understanding

4REFLECTIVE WRITING
about several aspects and reasons that which are caused behind such bias between different
individuals. Certain reason behind the respective issue may generally involve gender, sex, social
class, political affiliation and many others.

5REFLECTIVE WRITING
Concepts of Prejudice or bias
Some of the key and major concepts that are associated with the system of prejudice is
generally classified under four major heads which involves theories that are related to
Authoritarian, Realistic conflict and social identity. A clear understanding about the respective
concepts is mentioned below.
 The authoritarian theory here gives a clear statement that all different forms that are
associated with the system of communication process are under control of governing elite
or significant bureaucrats or authorities (Bleidorn et al 2016). It is important for the
authoritarians to control media in order to prevent and protect people from national
threats through any communication forms.
 The theory that is associated with the system of realistic conflict gives a clear
understanding that whenever there are more than two groups which are seeking for the
same resources that are on a limited basis (Barry et al 2017). Under this particular
situation this may generally lead to conflicts, negative beliefs and thoughts along with
causing discrimination among different groups.
 The theory based on self-identity gives a clear suggestion that, for a particular
organization in order to change certain factors that are related to the system of individual
behaviors, it is important for them to bring advanced modification on their self-identity or
any other segment of the organizations self-concept which is already derived from the
knowledge factor and emotional attachment within the group associated with the
organization.

6REFLECTIVE WRITING
How prejudice is relevant to my social world?
As compared to me some of the major factors that are related to the study of prejudice
and discrimination can be more beneficial for me to remain more proactive in the future. There
are certain negative impacts caused among the internal prospective of the individual due to the
respective issues in the current society (Stangor, C., 2016). For example, it can be stated that
discrimination factors can create a direct impact on the individuals wellbeing and their
opportunities in the upcoming times which may also lead to certain factors that are related to
weak self-esteem in individuals along with increasing their stress and fear and can also be a part
of causing health issues in peoples on all terms.
Attraction and Close Relationship
The sub topic selected by me under this respective part is associated with the function of
attraction and intimacy which as compared to psychology generally means the process of linking
and loving others.
What interested me about the topic Attraction and Intimacy?
Certain factors that are related to the function of attraction and intimacy is associated
with several positive behavioral aspects that exist within the internal mind set of individuals on
all terms. The study involves some major components which consist of proximity, Physical
attractiveness and complementarity vs similarity. The other part of the study also involves the
process of bringing link between those who generally like us under all aspects.
 Some of the major factors that are related to the functional process of proximity within
the internal prospective of the individual generally involve the function of bringing

7REFLECTIVE WRITING
geographical nearness between individuals. This respective factor generally depends on
the way we tend to interact with each other.
 The other part of the study is associated with the function of bringing the factor of
physical attractiveness where this is also completely depended on the behavior that
basically gives more emphasis on individual character related to the system of dating and
attractiveness (Lin and Utz 2017). This behavioral aspects states that look of an
individual is completely depended on his or her tendency to date and interact with others.
 As compared to certain prospective that is related to the factor of similarity we believe,
those people who have similar behavioral part that we perceive in us are of good
characters (Hasanagas and Bekiari 2015). On the other hand, complementarity basically
involves relationship factor between two individuals who are competing to complete the
missing behavioral characteristics among themselves.
Concepts related to Attraction and Intimacy
Attraction and intimacy is related to the psychological process of maintaining and
developing positive emotion about another individual (Cheung, Sedikides and Wildschut 2016).
Some of the major concepts that are related to the respective part involve infatuation, love,
admiration, liking and many others. This is also known as the process of interpersonal attraction
which is considered to be the major part of research under social psychology.

8REFLECTIVE WRITING
How attraction and intimacy is relevant to my social world?
According to me certain characteristics that are related to the system of attraction can
help me under the area of strengthening my bond with others along with fostering closeness
between my colleagues, friend and family members (Burke 2016). On the other hand, this will
also guide me under the area of developing certain problem solving skills, building effective
team work, knowledge sharing and under many other situations that can be caused in the current
and in future.
Benefits of learning the concepts
According to me the above made studies about certain concepts that are related to the
system of social psychology has helped to bring a demonstrative theory and clear understanding
about certain internal behavioral aspects that are associated with the individuals in the society.
The theoretical concepts which are associated with the function of self-esteem have given an
adaptive guidance to measure and evaluate certain qualities and skills that are within my internal
well-being. This has helped me under the area of developing confidence and also building myself
more effective and proactive to survive in the upcoming future.
On the other hand, this made me understand what can be the major reason behind the
issue of discrimination and prejudice caused in the society and what can be the major initiative
that is required to be implemented to overcome the problems that are associated with them. Apart
from this for an individual in order to remain more reliable and effective it is important to
maintain certain demonstrative skills that are associated with intimacy and attraction under the
area of building strong bond and closeness among their friends, family and colleagues. I believe

9REFLECTIVE WRITING
that, these respective qualities if perceived from my side can be definitely remain a beneficial
part for me to be more sustainable and competitive in the future.

10REFLECTIVE WRITING
References
Barry, C.T., Doucette, H., Loflin, D.C., Rivera-Hudson, N. and Herrington, L.L., 2017. “Let me
take a selfie”: Associations between self-photography, narcissism, and self-esteem. Psychology
of popular media culture, 6(1), p.48.
Bleidorn, W., Arslan, R.C., Denissen, J.J., Rentfrow, P.J., Gebauer, J.E., Potter, J. and Gosling,
S.D., 2016. Age and gender differences in self-esteem—A cross-cultural window. Journal of
personality and social psychology, 111(3), p.396.
Burke, R.J., 2016. Psychologically Intimate, Romantic, and Sexually Intimate Relationships in
the Workplace. In Risky Business (pp. 227-260). Routledge.
Cheung, W.Y., Sedikides, C. and Wildschut, T., 2016. Induced nostalgia increases optimism (via
social-connectedness and self-esteem) among individuals high, but not low, in trait
nostalgia. Personality and Individual Differences, 90, pp.283-288.
Ferris, D.L., Lian, H., Brown, D.J. and Morrison, R., 2015. Ostracism, self-esteem, and job
performance: When do we self-verify and when do we self-enhance?. Academy of Management
Journal, 58(1), pp.279-297.
Hasanagas, N. and Bekiari, A., 2015. Depicting Determinants and Effects of Intimacy and
Verbal Aggressiveness Target through Social Network Analysis. Sociology Mind, 5(03), p.162.
Lin, R. and Utz, S., 2017. Self-disclosure on SNS: Do disclosure intimacy and narrativity
influence interpersonal closeness and social attraction?. Computers in Human Behavior, 70,
pp.426-436.

11REFLECTIVE WRITING
Nemec, P.B., Swarbrick, M. and Legere, L., 2015. Prejudice and discrimination from mental
health service providers. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 38(2), p.203.
Orben, A.C. and Dunbar, R.I., 2017. Social media and relationship development: The effect of
valence and intimacy of posts. Computers in Human Behavior, 73, pp.489-498.
Scacco, A. and Warren, S.S., 2018. Can social contact reduce prejudice and discrimination?
Evidence from a field experiment in Nigeria. American Political Science Review, 112(3), pp.654-
677.
Stangor, C., 2016. The study of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination within social
psychology: A quick history of theory and research.
Vartanian, L.R., Trewartha, T. and Vanman, E.J., 2016. Disgust predicts prejudice and
discrimination toward individuals with obesity. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 46(6),
pp.369-375.