Issue 10- Psychological knowledge in society Flashcards
How can psychologists understanding of memory help patients with dementia?
Dementia is an illness that affects 850,000 people in the UK. It is set to rise to 1 million people by 2025. The number of people with dementia is growing which is a concern for society. This is about cost of healthcare and living with an illness.
How has our knowledge of cognitive psychology contributed to society? (individual, family, society, economy)
Individual- helping the individual cope better with the symptoms of dementia by teaching them about the memory process and how it can be improved
Family- shows the family the best ways to care for the individual by explaining what they’re going through and teaching people how they can help and support.
Society- shows society how to be accepting of individuals who are sffering by explaining what is happening an easy ways to make their lives more involved.
Economy- if those immediate family and friends are able to care for the sufferers at home, there is less need for nursing homes and NHS hospital stays which is beneficial.
How has episodic memory contributed?
We should try to give contextual information, allow them to live in the past, ask them about the past, use cues to recover memories such as photographs and ask specific questions so that they can focus their thoughts.
How has research into STM memory contributed?
Things should be written down for them so that they can keep reading it.
How has working memory contributed?
If you are speaking to someone with dementia, make sure that they are not distracted so they can process one thing at a time. Avoid speaking at the same time that they are.
How has reconstructive memory contributed?
They might be mixing schemas. Aak limited questions, listen carefully and try to follow their thought processes.
What are the implications to society if aggression is found to be caused by nature not nurture?
Aggression in humans might come from nature or nurture. It might be said that if a behaviour is casued y environmental factors, then someone can choose not to behave in that way. It could be said, however, that if a behaviour comes from someone’s nature, there is no element of choice.
How has our knowledge of biological psychology contributed to society? (individual, society, economy)
Individual- more treatments and support is available for the individuals who struggle with aggression as it has a biological cause. It removes the blame from the individual
Society- successful treatments remove the threat of an aggressive individuals from society, we no longer blame them
Economy- we don’t waste money on incorrect treatments or rehabilitation as we now know what works
Why do ordinary people commit genocide?
Genocide is an act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group. This was seen in the holocaust which prompted lots of research into prejudice and obedience. Social psychology have attempted to explain this.
How has our knowledge of social psychology contributed to society? (individual, society)
Individual- This research has made us as individuals more aware of what we’d do in that situation
Society- giving society the chance to spot when we’re in danger of another genocide incident and provides the opportunity to prevent it.
Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that casues anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder which is characterised by extreme loss of weight and anxiety associated with food and weight gain. Socio-cultural factors are commonly associated with anorexia as it is more prevelant in industrialised societies where ideals of slimness are portrayed through the media.
How has our knowledge of learning psychology contributed to society? (individual, society)
Individual- helped individuals to realise that there are treatments available and makes society more aware of the dangers of social media. Highlights the issues with our socitey
Society- reduced stigmatisation by showing that it is an illness that needs addressing and that it isnt a choice.
How are mental health issues portrayed in the media?
The media tends to use harsh words such as ‘psycho’ and ‘maniac’ as the headline when referring to people with mental health problems, which can influence the public perception.
How has our knowledge of clinical psychology contributed to society? (individual, society)
Individual- helped us to see the reality of mental illness and prove that the media can’t be trusted.
Society- helps us change our views of the media and be more wary
Is eyewitness testimony too accurate to trust?
EWT is used as evidence in criminal trials in countries all over the world. Juries tend to pay extra attention to eye witnesses and see the evidence as trustworthy. However, research has shown us that it can actually be really unreliable.
