As we have learned in the past two weeks, I
will make some comments that focus on the social psychology and social
cognition with social media.
Social psychology is the part of psychology
that studies human interaction. It studies how human thoughts, feelings and
behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
Social media has been so popular to people
all around the world. They give the way for people to interact with others in
the easiest most convenient way. You can post whatever you want including your
pictures and videos. More and more people get addicted to Social media which has
significant changed people’s life style. From the points of social psychology, there
are some reasons that most people seem to get hooked up in social network media.
1. Human beings are social animals.
They would like to have new friends as
often as they like. Most people today have their own media network account and
thus if you want to make friends, social networks would be the best place to
find one.
2. Game applications
This is the strongest magnet of Facebook.
Games usually bends down the age limit bracket for users. Games attract even
children. These games are also designed to take so much of your time. Most
games give free gift everyday so that gamers have to log in everyday for these
gifts not to go to waste. These games are business. Gamers are given the option
to pay real money for in-game items and privileges.
3. Advertisements
Due to the number of users all around the world,
advertisers have an eye on these media network sites. Advertising in social
networks site are super effective and most of all you can advertise at a very
low cost. You can just put descriptions of your product and post it for
everyone to read. You may also put sample images or even advertising videos.
And I have read an interesting article
mentioned about what people look for in social media from a psychology
standpoint. They are 7 “A”.
1) To Be Acknowledged.
2) To Gain Attention.
3) To Be Approved Of.
4) To Be Appreciated.
5) To Be Acclaimed.
6) To Feel Assured.
7) To Be A Part Of.
Social cognition is the cognitive processes
and structures that influence and are influenced by social behavior. Studies of
social cognition focus on how cognition is affected by both wider and more
immediate social contexts; how cognition affects our social behavior.
Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) describes
learning in terms of the interrelationship between behavior, environmental
factors, and personal factors. It also provides the theoretical framework for
interactive learning used to develop both Constructivism and Cooperative
Learning.
According to SCT, the learner acquires
knowledge as his or her environment converges with personal characteristics and
personal experience. New experiences are evaluated vis-a-vis the past; prior
experiences help to subsequently guide and inform the learner as to how the
present should be investigated.
Because SCT is based on understanding an
individual’s reality construct, it is especially useful when applied to
interventions aimed at personality development, behavior pathology, and health
promotion.
Self-regulation:
Self-regulation is what allows a person to control his or her response or behavior when confronted with externally imposed stimuli. Feedback is an externally imposed control that works with a person’s self-regulatory capability in order to make adjustments to behavior. Online learning materials can use feedback techniques to reinforce behavioral change and help learners achieve self-efficacy. For example, when performing a task correctly, the learner can be advised that his or her performance is correct. Conversely, immediate corrective feedback can be given when needed. As the learner’s ability increases, the feedback can become more detailed and sophisticated, which allows the learner to refine and master the task. When learning to drive, for example, the student initially needs to get the vehicle on the road. As the student progresses, however, he or she needs to achieve specific speed limits and signaling requirements to achieve safe and efficient driving habits.
Self-efficacy:
Learning is a function of the extent to which individuals are able to reflect upon and internalize their own successes and failures. Self-efficacy is achieved when the learner identifies his or her ability to perform. Using interactivity in online learning provides a mechanism that allows the learner to apply knowledge accurately and reliably and therefore increase his or her confidence. For example, it is possible to read a book about driving a car, but it is not until the learner actually drives successfully that learning is complete. Interactive, online educational materials can provide extensive, repetitive practice until mastery – and thus self-efficacy – is achieved.
