PSY JOURNAL

TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

NAME : TEH Sin Ying

STUDENT I.D : 0320509

TUTORIAL CLASS : MONDAY 9AM -11AM



JOURNAL 1Date : 23th March 2015

Entry 1SOCIAL LOAFING

What is social loafing? Social loafing describes the tendency of certain members of a

group to get by with less effort than what they would have put when working on their

individual work because they know their effort can’t be examined.in 1833, Max Ringelmann

conducted a study from which he concluded that an individual’s performance actually gets

worst in the presence of others. There are two common manifestations. The first one is where

some members totally do not put in any their share of work under the assumption that others'

efforts will cover their shortfall .While the second one is where the other fully performing

members lower their efforts in response to the free-riders' attitude.

I have encountered some group mates that don’t put in effort to a group project. They

will exploit the hard work of others more determined classmates. However, they will work very

hard and put in their full effort in their individual project. For instance, during one of the high

school project, we need to form a group which consists of 5 members. Few of the group mates

they skipped our group discussion very frequently and never contributed any info for the

project. For the rest of them who participated in the project , they will work will less effort and

perform poorer compare to how they used to work for their individual work . Nonetheless ,

when they were working for their individual project, they put in a lot of effort and never missed


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYany chance to improve their work .For their individual project , they never procrastinated like

how they did when they were working for a group work .

Why is this happening? This is because my group mates know their contribution won’t

be identified and be examined by others. In a group work, the glory and the blame will be

spread equally. If this project we failed, it’s not just their fault and responsibility .Everyone in

the group have the responsibility for the failure . While when it’s an individual work, if the work

goes well, you will get all the glory. Therefore, they tend to put more effort into their individual

project. A studies notice that people did about half as much work when there were 8 others in

the group than they did on their own Groups can be fantastically unproductive because they

provide such wonderful camouflage..

Besides, for the rest of the of my group mates who continue working on the project feel

deceived when they think that other people in the group are slacking off and having fun. They

will feel unfair as they work much more compare to other group mates. Therefore,

unconsciously, they will lower the quality of work due to their own negative emotion .The

workmanship of the work is bad and they will not double check their work . Therefore, We

should reduce and eliminate this perception because this is another key to a productive and

successful group.



ENTRY 2SOCIAL FACILATATION

Social facilitation is a the tendency for people to do better on tasks when in the

presence of other people. This implies that, whenever people are being watched by others,

they will try to perform better. The presence of people in social situations creates an

atmosphere of evaluation. In 1898 , Norman triplett noted that competitive cyclist performed

better during races than during races than during solo rides . Social loafing and social facilitation

may seem similar, but they are different. Social facilitation occurs when people are performing

in the presence of others yet their individual contributions can be identified while social loafing

occurs when persons are performing tasks as part of a group and individual effort cannot be

identified.

I have many experiences with such phenomena, particularly during my secondary school

days. I’m the only person from my family that study in my high school. I tend to study lesser and

didn’t try to achieve anything because there are no competition. Even I get bad result, no one

from my family will know. Then, my cousin transfers to my high school. After my cousin

transfer to my school, I tend to work harder and strive to achieve more compare to old time.

This is due to I’m competing with my cousin. After my cousin transfer to my high school, I try to

achieve more, so I work much harder than old time. I try my best to be better than her and get

more As than her.

As conclusion , this is my experience of social facilitation . I tend to try harder to achieve

more when there is competition and that lead me to perform better and achieve more.



JOURNAL 2Date : 4th April

Entry 1MOTIVATION

Motivation is the reason of people doing something. There are two type of

motivation: Intrinsic Motivation and Extrinsic Motivation. Intrinsic motivation is a nature

motivation. People take action for the sake of enjoyment. Intrinsic motivation leads us to be

more fully engaged to certain interest. Besides, intrinsic motivation leads to greater curiosity

and pleasure. Extrinsic motivation is an external motivation. People who have extrinsic

motivation will take certain action. People with extrinsic motivation might done something for

avoid punishment or earn a specific reward. Extrinsic motivation can actually inhibit behaviors if

used at the wrong time . The preferences for task that are intrinsically or extrinsically rewarded

are actually influenced by culture.

I love dancing. So, I dance every day for the sake of enjoyment. I really enjoy

dancing and I will never get bored of it. When there is music or even some beats, I will start

moving my body and enjoy. It’s my interest, no one force me to dance. There is no external

pressure but I still choose to dance every day. This is a type of Intrinsic motivation, I practice

dancing is due to my own interest. I’m more engaged towards dancing compare to other

activities. Besides, I will have a greater curiosity towards dancing.

When I’m young, my mum sends me to tuition center to learn Chinese

calligraphy. I don’t have much interest towards Chinese calligraphy. However, I still practice a

lot at home. This is because my mum will scold or punish me if I didn’t get a good result in my TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYcalligraphy exam. Besides, if I get a good result in calligraphy exam, my mum will buy some toys

as reward. Thus, I put in effort to Chinese calligraphy to prevent punishment and get rewards

from my mum. This is extrinsic motivation. I get my motivation to practice Chinese calligraphy

to prevent punishment from my mum.

As conclusion, my motivation for dancing is a nature motivation. Thus it’s an

intrinsic motivation. On the other hand, my motivation for learning Chinese calligraphy is due to

prevent the punishment from my mother . Therefore , learning Chinese calligraphy is an

extrinsic motivation.


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYENTRY 2

FALSE CONSENSUS THEORY

Basically, False consensus effect refers to the tendency of people to overestimate the

level to which other people share their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. False consensus effect

is a type of bias in which we think that our own opinions, attitudes, beliefs, etc. are common

and appropriate, so that others must also feel the same way. When we have a particular belief,

we tend to estimate that belief to be more prevalent than it is by individuals that have an

alternative belief. This may be used by people as self-protective function and may be reinforced

by the company we keep.

I have a couple of false consensus theory experience. As instance , my classmates and I

are working on a project. The submission date for this project is two days later . Our progress

for the project is very slow. Then, our lecturer , miss Ida , offer me a extension offer for our

group project . When miss Ida offer me the extension offer , my group mates not there , they

are having lunch . Without hesitate, I accept the offer without informing and asking my group

mates.

However , when my group mates knew that I accept the extension offer , they strongly

disagree . They think we can finish the work on time and they think extension will add on the

burden for each of the group mates. I thought others will have the same belief and attitudes as

me , but they don’t have the same belief with me . What I have experienced is False consensus

theory . I thought what other think same as what I think



JOURNAL 3

Date : 4th April

ENTRY 1 Stereotyping

What is stereotype ? Stereotypes are usually defined as beliefs about groups, prejudice as

evaluation of or attitude toward a group, and discrimination as behavior that systematically

advantages or disadvantages a group. In the other words , stereotyping means assumes that all

members of a group share some same common features .By stereotyping we infer that a

person has a whole range of characteristics and abilities that we assume all members of that

group have.

Stereotype have it’s pro and cons. The benefit of stereotyping enables us to respond

rapidly to situations because we may have had a similar experience before. Thus , our reaction

will be more immediate and rapid . On the other hand , stereotype also have some

disadvantages . Stereotyping make us ignore the difference between different individuals

before we really know the person characters and abilities . Therefore, what we think about

certain people might not be true. This is leads to racism , sexism and others

misunderstanding .The schema that we had formed is very hard to change.

When I’m still in primary school , my tablemates was a Malay Boy. He never did his

homework and he always bully me .I feel really uncomfortable to sit beside him .Since then, I


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYhad formed a schema that all Malay sharing the common features , that is lazy and like to bully

others .

When I’m 17 , I chosen for National Service (PLKN) . During the first month of my National

Service activity , I seldom communicate and interact with the Malays . When we were having

group activities, I tend to stay with my Indians and Chinese friend and keep away from them .

This is because I had formed a schema that Malays are lazy and this cause we think all the

Malays are the same .

However , due to a group project , I’m forced to form a group with 2 Malay girls . After

few days of interactions , I found out they were very helpful and determined .All of their

kindness and determination really change my schema towards Malays . I found out it’s very

hard for me to “let go “ the old schemas about Malays. No matter what , I changed my attitude

and schema towards all the Malays now . The type of stereotype I’m having is Racial

Stereotype. Racial stereotypes always seem to favor the race of the holder and belittle other

races.

Stereotyping is a wrong mindset . We should try to avoid this mindset as it do leads a lot of

misunderstanding and prejudice towards others . Most of us use stereotypes in our daily life

that even we didn’t notice about it . Realize that we ALL stereotype. No one is immune. It does

not make us bad people. Knowing we all do it could be just the impetus we need to change.



AUTOMATIC PROCESSING AND CONTROLLED PROCESSING

Automatic processing happen when an individual work on task

that requiring little or no conscious guidance. Automatic processing is unconscious and

effortless. It’s rapid and quickly. Automatic processing involves the amygdala and limbic system.

The limbic system work on emotional processing while the amygdale work on emotional

learning an fear conditioning . Automatic processing is also emotion driven. Automatic

processing is used when we need to work on task that is very well practiced and tasks that

require little or no mental resources.

Controlled processing normally used when an

individual need to work on a harder and logical task. Controlled processing happen when an

individual need to take careful thoughts and effort to finish a task. Controlled process also takes


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYover when the experience doesn’t fir a developed schema. Controlled process involves parts of

prefrontal cortex.

Everyone have the experience for automatic processing and controlled processing,

including me . When I’m learning driving , I’m not used to driving . Therefore, I had to pay

careful attention to everything I did . Steering and operating the all required conscious

processing. I need to put attention to other cars, traffic lights, etc.

However, after practice , I’m very experienced in driving now . I do many routine driving

task such as controlling steering, coordinating pedals and other quite automatically. It don’t

need my conscious, as I’m so used to it now. Now, I can drive and control the car rapid and

quickly. Therefore, I can have a conversation with others while I’m driving .

But when the traffic becomes difficult or any new stimuli happen that need my

conscious. Controlled processing will carry on because the experience doesn’t fit in a developed

schema.



JOURNAL 4Date : 4th April

ENTRY 1

COMFIRMATION BIAS

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, or recall information in a way

that confirms one's beliefs or hypotheses. People with confirmation bias will actively seek out

data that support our belief while disregard and ignore the date that refute our beliefs. People

with confirmation bias will still maintain their original belief, even in the face of contradictory

data. People display this bias when they gather or remember information selectively, or when

they interpret it in a biased way.

I’m a person that strongly despise and disagree people speak ‘Malaysian English’.

I always try very hard to not use Malaysian English in my daily life and assignments. I think it’s

so unprefessionaly if we keep using ‘lah’, ‘loh’ or ‘yakah’ in some form occasion. There comes a

day, I need to write an argumentative essay about ‘The pros and cons of speaking Malaysian

English for the future generation’. Therefore, when I’m surfing the internet and doing research

for my essay, I will just research about the disadvantages of speaking Malaysian English. I read

all the information and articles about disadvantages of Malaysian English. Sometimes , there

will still have some information about ‘benefits of speaking Malaysian English’, .However, I will

just jot down and remark on the information about the disadvantages of speaking Malaysian

English and ignoring the information about the benefits of speaking Malaysian English . I tend to

ignore and disregard the advantages about using Malaysian English. If I have no confirmation


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYbias , I will record and jot down the advantages and disadvantages of speaking Malaysian

English .

I was a victim for confirmation bias, where I will just reinforced idea and information

that were parallel to my beliefs and views (Speaking Malaysian English bring advantages to us )

and ignored and disregard the view that refute my belief . once the belief or the bias is formed ,

it’s very hard to change. Therefore , I still think speaking Malaysian English bring no

advantages .



FIRST IMPRESSION AND THE HALO EFFECT

First impression is the event when one person first encounters another person and

forms a mental image of that person. The first impression for someone or something may be

varies depending on the observer. First impression is made after 10 seconds and not

deliberates. Besides, first impression may be instantaneous. First impression is done

unintentionally and automatically.

The halo effect can occur without awareness. The halo effect happen is due to the first

impression we have towards others. The halo effect is basically when we attribute other

positive qualities to an individual which better looking comparing to others. We tend to assume

people with attractive looking have some positive personalities. We attribute personality

qualities to people we have only seen, even though we have never met them, and the qualities

have nothing to do with their looks. No doubt, sometimes we do judge a book by it’s cover.

Who won’t attract by people who have better appearance? First impression speaks the

importance of a good first impression.

Without hesitate, I have many different experience of halo effect. When just enter

Taylor’s University, I met a senior which well-dressed and dress professionally-with tie and suit.

the way he sit and walk are so professional. I have a very good first impression for him. I

assume that he is a very professional and kind person as the way he dress is very good and he

have a good appearance . Later on, as we were talking , the halo effect became the evident. He

is not how I assume he is. The way he talk and he act is not what I expect him to present himself


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. I thought he is a very professional and very kind , but not . Therefore we should not judge a

book y it’s cover . The first impression of me have towards him because of his good appearance

is halo effect .

As conclusion , the halo effect is how our first impression of the attractiveness of an

individual affects how we view that person holistically.



JOURNAL 5DATE : 22 APRIL

ENTRY 1 Categorization of Attitudes

Attitudes in psychological terms refers to a tendency to evaluate a person, object or idea with a

certain degree of approval or disapproval. This evaluation of a specific stimulus occurs through

three different aspects. The affective component, also known as the emotional-based

component. This is followed by the behavioral component, which is the action based

component. Lastly the cognitive component, the knowledge based component. This three

components lead to the formation of an attitude which can and may vary in tone as well as

intensity. The variation in tonality and intensity is what determines the type of attitudes form in

regards to a stimuli. In general, there are four attitudes which can be observed. The four being

positive, negative, indifferent and ambivalent.

To shed some light on this matter, I can use the example of my passion for food. I personally

have an interest towards food and especially towards chocolate. In this context, I would say

that I have a high positive reaction plus a low negative reaction to chocolate. This would lead

me to have a positive attitude towards chocolate. On the other hand, I do have a friend who

doesn’t like chocolate, in fact, he just detests chocolate. In his case, he has a low positive

reaction plus a high negative reaction which results in a negative attitude towards chocolate.

Having said all this, there are times at which me and my classmates do joke around about our


TEH SIN YING 0320509 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGYlove for all things food and we end up on the sensitive topic of weight. It is at instances like this

where my attitude towards something as sinful as chocolate is mixed up. There is a high

positive reaction due to my inherent love for chocolate, but at the same time, there is the high

negative reaction towards it due to my personal concern over the effects it has on my weight.

This combination of both high positive and negative reaction leads to an ambivalent attitude

towards chocolate. Now, in all these, there are definitely those in my class who have an

indifferent attitude towards chocolate. They neither dislike it nor do they like it, fundamentally,

they are neutral towards chocolate. This is the result of both low positive and negative reaction.




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