An Introduction to Social Psychology

Questions: 1. Explain the difference between a conscious and an unconscious assumption, using two examples of each. 2.How do hidden assumptions affect reasoning and arguments? Explain at least two effects of hidden assumptions. 3. Explain how several stereotypes contain assumptions. Give examples.4. Define the word opinion and explain at least three different ways this word can be used to convey three different meanings. 5. What is a fixed opinion? Give some examples of your own fixed opinions or fixed opinions belonging to other people you know. How can a fixed opinion keep a person from thinking? Answers: 1. The difference between a conscious and and an unconscious assumption is as follows: The key tool of a creative thinker involves making conscious assumptions. Isaac Newton has rightly said that no discovery can be made without a bold presumption. On the other hand, an unconscious assumption involves mental as well as emotional patterns that are laid down in the upbringing, from the ages of two to six. Example of a conscious assumption- The individuals can assume that the values of property will continue to increase and therefore they can invest in the real estate. The example of unconscious assumption includes poor arguments ad rapid generalizations (Parker Shotter, 2015). 2. Hidden assumptions affect reasoning and arguments in a way that it assists to identify the neglected or hidden factors in underlying explanations of pragmatic phenomena. In our daily life, the arguments are are generally encountered by us are frequently the arguments, where significant assumptions are not explicitly. It is an essential part of critical thinking that the individuals should be able of identifying such implicit or hidden assumptions. The two effects of hidden assumptions include the inferiority and have contradictions. They can be utilized for sizing the problems and speculates regarding the opportunities. They are less justified in comparison to the apparent assumptions (Smith et al., 2014). 3. Several stereotypes contain assumptions in a way that individuals make regarding the characteristics of every member of a group in terms of an image concerning what individuals in that group are like. A study has revealed that Americans are commonly considered as generous, friendly, and broadminded but also egotistical, intolerant, and dominant. Conversely, they are expected to be vigilant and shrewd, but reserved. Evidently, not all Americans are generous and friendly; and not all Asians possess a reserved behavior. The common examples of stereotypes include racial remarks, gender profiling and sexual stereotype (McDougall, 2015). 4. The word opinion refers to a judgment or view formed regarding something, which is not essentially based on knowledge or fact. This word can be explained in three different ways that can be used to convey three different meanings as follows: In psychology, group opinion is the collection of opinions from a group of subjects like committee, legislature or jury. A Judicial opinion encompasses the opinion of a judge that accompanies and elucidates a ruling in a disagreement before the court. An editorial opinion is the assessment of a subject matter by a newspaper as communicated on its editorial column (Simpson Kenrick, 2013). 5. A fixed opinion is an opinion, which cannot be altered as the individuals stop the process of thinking. I have a fixed opinion with respect to the fact that there racism should not be tolerated by the individuals as it leads to inequalities in the society and creates physical and mental disturbances. A fixed opinion keeps a person from thinking by excluding any input to the opposing opinions. The person makes a mind that whatever happens he/she will not change their opinion because their mind reaches to a point in which there is no space for any sort of alterations in terms of changing an opinion (McDougall, 2015). References McDougall, W. (2015).An introduction to social psychology. Psychology Press. Parker, I., Shotter, J. (Eds.). (2015).Deconstructing social psychology(Vol. 21). Psychology Press. Simpson, J. A., Kenrick, D. (2013).Evolutionary social psychology. Psychology Press. Smith, E. R., Mackie, D. M., Claypool, H. M. (2014).Social psychology. Psychology Press.