Social psychology concepts and applications

¶ … Pics

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy focuses on experiences in the present moment and relationships between individuals as a means of determining and healing psychological issues. This picture shows both an engaged experience and also implies a specific familial arrangement between the people in the foreground -- it is assumed that they are mother, father and child. The assessment of the individuals in the picture and the "story" that the picture tells would change significantly is we learned that the red-shirted figure is a complete stranger to the woman in the foreground, and this change is one of the fundamental features of Gestalt theory/therapy.

Thought Suppression

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney is clearly having difficulty with his operating process here, as he appears to be focusing on the extreme financial turmoil the world is experiencing for the second time in three years rather than consciously trying to distract himself. In all seriousness, though, this picture also demonstrates the ability to consciously over-ride the thought suppression impulse and processes, which is necessary in order for individuals and mankind as a whole to face some of the more difficult decisions and tasks we are confronted with. Because Mr. Carney does not want to forget the information regarding the current economic upheaval, it being his job to do something about it, he is not suppressing but rather depressedly engaging in thoughts he would probably rather not entertain.

Actor/Observer

Many advertisements make some use of the Actor/Observer distinction in perceived motivation, whereby individuals are more likely to ascribe the behaviors and actions of others to issues of their personality, while tending to view their own behavior as more heavily influenced by environment or situation. We do not associate (or at least we are not meant to) Tiger Woods' watch in this advert with the fact he is rich and a sports star -- situational elements -- but rather with the intrinsic personal qualities that helped him to achieve these situational statuses: integrity, determination, quality performance, etc. Meanwhile, we would tell ourselves and our friends that we bought the watch because it has all sorts of excellent functions and is a dependable timepiece, etc., etc. -- situational elements, rather than the personal infatuation with Tiger Woods we don't want to admit to.

Cognitive Dissonance

After making a decision such as what President Obama faced in trying to address his country's debt problem, it is common to experience cognitive dissonance -- the confusion or frustration created when two (or more) opposing options presented different outcomes with mixed positive and negative effects and no clear tally for comparison. This is typically corrected in the mind by reducing the attractiveness of the option(s) not selected and increasing the attractiveness of the option that was selected. Obama is pictured doing just that for himself and the people of the world in this speech, assuring all that the solution was a good one even as his country's credit and thus the world's economy crumbles around him.