PSYCHOLOGY 102 JOURNAL

This paper was written August 20, 2007 for my UFV Psych 102 (Introduction to Psychology II) course, taught by Alard Malek.

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LINGUISTIC INFLUENCES ON THINKING

According to Benjamin Lee Whorf’s Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis, language not only influences, but also determines what we are capable of thinking. If the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis were correct, then people whose cultures have only a few words for colours should have greater difficulty in perceiving the spectrum of colours than do people whose languages have many different colour words (Passer et al., 2005).

Today, most linguists do not agree with Whorf that language determines how we think. They would say instead that language can influence how we think, how efficiently we can categorize our experiences, and perhaps how much detail we attend to in our daily experience (Hunt & Agnoli, 1991; as cited in Passer et al., 2005).

I disagree with the findings of Whorf and Hunt et al. It is of my position that language does not determine what or how we think. But rather, it is our beliefs that determine what or how we think. For example, Proverbs 23:7 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” James Allen, in his book “As A Man Thinketh” says it this way, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” (p. 7).

Expounding on Proverbs 23:7 Allen goes on to say that, “All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thought. As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains (p. 34). Allen also eludes that “The vision you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart – this you will build your life by, this you will become (p. 44).

CONFIRMATION BIAS

According to Passer et al., sometimes, one of the most challenging problem-solving tasks is obtaining new evidence to test our hypothesis or solution. Rationally, the best thing we can do to test our ideas is to seek evidence that will disconfirm them, rather than trying to solidify our ideas by looking for evidence that supports them (2005).

Why? Because the most informative piece of evidence we can obtain is one that rules out a hypothesis or causes us to change our ideas. Disconfirming evidence proves conclusively that our idea cannot be true in its current form. In contrast, confirming evidence only supports our idea, it doesn’t prove it with certainty, since it is possible that some future observation will disconfirm it or that another explanation fits the facts better (Passer et al., 2005).

Following this disconfirmation principle is easier said than done because people often are unwilling to challenge their cherished beliefs. Instead, they are prone to fall into a trap called confirmation bias: they tend to look for evidence that will confirm what they currently believe, rather then looking for evidence that could disconfirm their beliefs. Confirmation bias can occur even when the hypothesis we’re testing doesn’t relate to a cherished belief (Passer et al., 2005).

There are times when confirmation bias is a good thing. For example, when I represent a client in court my confirmation bias is to seek out the best evidence that supports my client’s position. Another circumstance where confirmation bias is necessary is when a person confirms their faith in God.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Emotional intelligence involves the ability to read others’ emotions accurately, to respond to them appropriately, to motivate oneself, to be aware of one’s own emotions, and to regulate and control one’s own emotional responses (Epstein, 1998; Mayer & Salovey, 1997; as cited in Passer et al., 2005).

Proponents of emotional intelligence point to the important adoptive advantage of skills in managing the emotional challenges of daily life. Emotionally intelligent people, they suggest, form stronger emotional bonds with others, enjoy greater success in careers, marriage, and childrearing, modulate their own emotions so as to avoid strong depression, anger, or anxiety, and work more effectively toward long-term goals by being able to control impulses for immediate gratification (Passer et al., 2005).

I agree with the above position. I have observed, through personal and professional experiences that where there is a lack of emotional intelligence, anger abounds, there is a lack of bonding, and the existence of continued failure.

ADAPTIVE VALUE OF EMOTION

Like other psychological processes, emotions have important adaptive functions. First, they signal that something important is happening, and that they direct our attention to that event. In an evolutionary sense, some emotions are part of an emergency arousal system that increases the chances of survival by energizing, directing, and sustaining adaptive Behaviours. Known as fight or flight, the physiological arousal that is so central to the emotions of anger and fear energizes and intensifies such behaviours (Passer et al., 2005).

Barbara Fredrickson (1998) suggests that positive and negative emotions have different adaptive functions. Negative emotions have been sculpted by evolutionary survival pressures to narrow attention and action tendencies so that the organism can respond to a threatening situation with a focused set of responses (Passer et al., 2005).

Fredrickson suggests that unlike negative emotions, positive emotions usually arise under conditions of safety and goal attainment, in which high physiological arousal is not needed. Rather than narrowing attention and behaviour tendencies, positive emotions such as interest, joy, contentment, and love actually broaden our thinking and behaviour so that we explore, consider new ideas, try out new ways to achieve goals, play, and savour what we have. These activities help individuals to build new resources, some of which are intellectual, some physical, and some social (Passer et al., 2005).

“To know that we are loved brings the greatest happiness” (Boysen, 1996). This is so true. I have observed though my life experiences that love succeeds. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, “Love never fails” (Amplified Version). In Copeland’s “From faith to faith” daily devotional he states that “If you want to know real success, you must learn to be moved and motivated by love (December 9). Copeland also states that “When you live by love, you cannot fail. For love is truly the only sure secret to our success” (October 6).

NEED FOR POSITIVE REGARD

Rogers believed that we are born with an innate need for positive regard – that is for acceptance, sympathy, and love from others. Rogers viewed positive regard as essential for healthy development. Ideally, positive regard received from the parents is unconditional – that is, independent of how the child behaves. Unconditional positive regard communicates that the child is inherently worthy of love. Conditional positive regard, on the other hand, is dependent on how the child behaves. People need positive regard not only from others but also from themselves (Passer et al., 2005).

Reflecting on my life experiences while growing up with my father, I agree with Rogers’ “need for positive regard.” When a person hears nothing but negative comments or remarks on a daily bases, it takes away the motivation to succeed or pursue their dreams. This is why I am a late bloomer regarding my educational goals. The path I followed led me to where I am today. It is my belief that if a person takes the equation of negativity away, they can and will succeed in life.

SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem is a very important aspect of personal well-being, happiness, and adjustment (Brown, 1998; Diener, 2000; as cited in Passer et al., 2005). Self-esteem is related to many positive behaviours and life outcomes. People with high self-esteem are less susceptible to social pressure, have fewer interpersonal problems, are happier with their lives, achieve at a higher and more persistent level, and are more capable of forming satisfying love relationships (Baumeister, 1999; as cited in Passer et al., 2005).

In contrast, people with a poor self-image are more prone to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression, to physical illness, and to poor social relationships and underachievement (Heimpel et al., 2002; a cited in Passer et al., 2005).

I agree with the above position regarding self-esteem. I also believe that the source of positive self-esteem is unconditional love, or positive regard from parents. Without positive self-esteem a person will not succeed in life.

REFERENCES

Allen, J. (date unknown). As a man thinketh. Burlington, ON: Inspirational Promotions.

Copeland, K., Copeland, G. (1991). From Faith to Faith: A daily guide to victory. Fort Worth, Texas: Kenneth Copeland Publications.

Boysen, C. L. (1996). With praise and glory. Edina, MN: Lighten Up Enterprise, Inc.

Passer, M. W., Smith, R. E., Atkinson, M. L., Mitchell, J. B. (2005). Psychology: Frontiers

and applications second Canadian edition. Toronto, ON: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

The Holy Bible, Amplified Version.

The Holy Bible, King James Version.