PSYC FPX 1010 Assessment 2 Examining The Problem

• PSYC FPX 1010 Assessment 2 Examining The Problem

Directions: Fill in each of the three.

Part 1: Review – Psychology’s Domains

Scoring Criterion: Explain concepts, principles, and general issues in each of the domains of psychology.

Purpose: To review all of the learning from this term. After completing the chart below, use the chart in any psychology course to help remember how the content is related to the overall study of human thoughts and behaviors.

Directions: Completely fill in the chart. This is a summary of the 5 main areas of psychology and the main points that you have learnt this term.

Prompt	Biological (neuroscience, consciousness, sensation)	Cognitive (perception, cognition, memory, intelligence)	Developmental (learning, development, language)	Social-Personality (personality, emotion, motivation, gender, culture)	Mental Health(& Affective) (disorders, treatment, health)
Identify 1 key characteristic.	Studies the biological basis of behavior and mental processes through examination of brain structures, neural pathways, and physiological responses (Signorelli & Meling, 2021).	Focuses on mental processes, including attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making mechanisms (Bușu, 2020)		Investigates how individuals think about, influence, and relate to one another, as well as individual differences (Mulay & Cain, 2020)	Studies psychological disorders, their causes, treatments, and ways to promote mental wellness (Singh et al., 2022)
	Method: fMRI brain imaging studies. Question: How do specific neural circuits influence emotional regulation?	Method: Controlled laboratory experiments. Question: How does working memory capacity affect learning and problem-solving?	Method: Longitudinal studies. Question: How do early childhood experiences influence later development?	Method: Survey research and field studies. Question: How do cultural values influence social behavior?	Method: Clinical trials Question: What treatment approaches are most effective for specific disorders?
	Santiago Ramón y Cajal established the neuron doctrine, showing neurons as the basic unit of the nervous system (Pearce, 2023)	Ulric Neisser published “Cognitive Psychology” (1967), launching the cognitive revolution (Learning, 2021)		Kurt Lewin developed field theory emphasizing person-environment interactions (Qi, 2021)	Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis and theories of unconscious processes (Tarzian et al., 2023)
Provide 1 example of the unique contributions of this domain.	Discovered the role of neurotransmitters in behavior and mental processes, leading to targeted treatments for mental disorders (Teleanu et al., 2022)	Developed information processing models explaining how humans think, learn, and remember information (Hamilton et al., 2022)	Identified critical periods for language acquisition and social development (Nelson & Gabard-Durnam, 2020)	Revealed how social situations and group dynamics influence individual behavior (Cole, 2024)	Created evidence-based therapeutic interventions for treating psychological disorders (Learning, 2021).
		Developed in North America and Europe during the 1950s-60s as a response to behaviorism (Mandal, 2021)	Began in Europe in the late 19th century with the child study movement (Miller, 2022)	Developed in the United States during the 1920s-30s with increased interest in group dynamics (Jhangiani & Tarry, 2022)	Emerged in Europe in the late 19th century with the establishment of clinical psychology (Kendler et al., 2022)

Part 2: Looking For A Cause

Situation: Domestic violence is a problem in every nation. According to the World Health Organization (2021), 30% of all women (aged 15 years and above) have experienced domestic violence at least once in their lifetime.

Purpose: To observe how various areas of psychology can be applied to a problem.

Directions: Complete all fields of the table (on several pages). Write 1-2 sentences per box (unless told otherwise in prompt).

Introduction

Scoring Criterion: To ask appropriate questions connected with an opinion.

Answer the following questions:

Prompt	Your Replies
Initial Thoughts: What do you think causes domestic violence?	There are no simple one-to-one causes of domestic violence; it seems to be a combination of many factors. In essence, it can be the result of a mixture of learned conduct patterns, psychological factors (inability to regulate emotions, trauma history), and cultural and social stressors that allow abuse and neglect to occur. Power and control are key elements; the person who is perpetrating the violence uses violence as a way to maintain power in the relationship (Herrenkohl et al., 2020). Culture, growing up in a violent environment and systemic issues that prevent victims from leaving an abusive relationship all play a major role in reinforcing these behaviors.
Key Questions: Define the problem: List 5 questions you have that would help you check to see if your opinion is correct.	1. How does childhood exposure to violence contribute to the future perpetration of domestic violence and what is the impact of this intergenerational transmission of violence on the psychological and behaviour level?2. What are the roles played by the societal and cultural norms and practices including gender norms, the economic inequality and legal systems in sustaining and perpetuating domestic violence in various communities?3. How do certain psychological factors or patterns (such as attachment styles, emotional regulation skills, or personality traits) differentiate victims who become perpetrators of domestic violence from others who do not, despite exposure to the same background factors?4. What interactions between various forms of stress (e.g., financial stress, social isolation, drug and alcohol abuse) and underlying predispositions might lead to violent behavior in intimate relationships?5. What are the protective factors that enable some individuals to avoid the cycle of violence as potential perpetrators or victims and how can those factors be enhanced in intervention programmes?

Examining the Problem

Fill out the following tables:

Biological

Prompt	Your Replies
Identify a part of the brain responsible for negative emotions such as anger (see Chapter 9).	The amygdala is a part of the limbic system and processes negative emotions such as anger and fear. Functions as an emotional processing center, determines threats, and elicits emotional responses (Lemke et al., 2021)
Explain how neurons work in 1-2 sentences (see Chapter 2).	Neurons communicate by electrochemical means through the aid of neurotransmitters at synapses. These chemical messengers are released by an activated neuron and spread across a synapse which affects the activity of nearby neurons (Kaur et al., 2022).

Cognitive

Prompt	Your Replies
Describe operant conditioning (Chapter 5).	Operant learning refers to a learning process in which behavior is either increased or decreases in function of its consequences. Experimentally, behaviours that are reinforced tend to increase and when punished tend to decrease (Akpan, 2020).
Describe how operant conditioning might work with violence as a learned behavior.	In the case of violence, an aggressive act may be rewarded when it gets the aggressor what he or she wants (such as control or compliance from other people). If violence is successful, it will increase the chances that it will be repeated (Bandura, 2024).
Describe the relationship between the punishment of children and the development of aggressive behaviors (Chapter 5).	Children that are harshly punished may learn that it is ok to try and control how others behave through aggression. Being punished this way at an early age can result in more aggressive behaviors later in life as they model the behavior they have received (Wiggers & Paas, 2022).

Social

Prompt	Your Replies
Describe observational or social learning (Chapter 5).	Observational Learning is the learning of new behaviours as a result of watching them being performed by others and seeing the results of those behaviours. This type of learning doesn’t require direct experience or reinforcement (Ramsey et al., 2021).
Describe how social learning might work with violence as a learned behavior.	People who witness violence and see that it is effective in helping others accomplish their objectives, especially when they are young, might come to see violence as a legitimate approach towards solving a problem. This is particularly potent when that violence is witnessed from key role models such as parents (Curtis et al., 2019).
Describe Schachter and Singer’s Theory of Emotions (Chapter 9).	It suggests that emotion involves physiological arousal and mental appraisals of the physiological arousal. A physiological state can be understood as a different emotion depending on the social context and cognitive appraisal, (Statharakos et al., 2022).
Describe how anger might be experienced according to Schacter and Singer’s theory.	Schachter and Singer believe that anger arises as a result of a combination of physiological arousal (increased heart rate, muscle tension) and the social situation and environmental cues directed to the cognitive explanation of the arousal. The same physical arousal can be experienced differently (e.g. excitement) and in a different context (Kjærvik, 2023).

Conclusion

Scoring Criterion: Describe confirmation bias and its effects.

Prompt	Your Replies
	I have analysed the biological, cognitive and social components and I feel that domestic violence is a complex phenomenon. I view it as an acquired response which is affected by social and cultural conditioning, based on biological tendencies to aggressive behaviors, and sustained by cognitive functioning which rationalizes the response. The circularity of violence can be seen when we realize that experiences early in life have an impact on behaviour later in life, both through neurological development and through social learning.
Describe how you reached that conclusion.	I systematically studied various psychological perspectives, hence concluded this. Reviewed the role of the amygdala in emotional brain regulation, reflected on the role of operant conditioning in maintaining violent behaviour and discussed how social learning can create a cycle of violence. Through this multifaceted approach I was able to gain an understanding that no one cause is the cause of domestic violence.
Describe confirmation bias (Chapter 7).	Confirmation bias is when we seek, interpret, and remember information that supports our current beliefs and gives less weight to information that challenges our beliefs. The cognitive bias gives us the tendency to pay more attention to the evidence that supports our idea(s) and ignore the evidence that challenges a preexisting idea(s).
Describe how confirmation bias might have affected your thoughts on the information you gathered about violence.	In my analysis of violence, I am aware that I may have been confirmation biased and focussed more on evidence to support my initial beliefs regarding the causes of domestic violence. I may have been more likely to look into the social learning explanations if they were in line with my ideas, or ignored other explanations that were also important, such as biological or cultural explanations.

Psychology and Global Issues

Scoring Criterion: Describe psychology’s contribution to understanding global violence and looking for solutions.

Prompt	Your Replies
	An analysis of the interaction between biological responses, learned behaviours and social contexts, gives a deeper sense of the reason why similar patterns of violence are found in different societies and why there are cultural variations in the expression of violence.
Describe how psychologists could help reduce violence around the world.	Psychologists can contribute to a reduced level of violence on the global level by designing culturally sensitive intervention programs and training, working with communities to alter pro-violent social norms and providing trauma-informed care (Wathen & Mantler, 2022). They can also be involved in developing and executing prevention initiatives that incorporate local cultural norms as well as tackle the causes of violence.

Psychology and Work

Prompt	Your Replies
	Three workplace settings that would benefit from psychological understanding of violence:1. Healthcare Settings: Medical professionals can better identify signs of abuse, provide appropriate care for trauma victims, and implement preventive screening protocols (Rahnavardi et al., 2022).2. Educational Institutions: Schools can develop more effective anti-bullying programs, create safer learning environments, and better support students experiencing domestic violence at home (Salimi et al., 2020).3. Law Enforcement Agencies: Officers can better understand perpetrator psychology, improve victim interactions, and implement more effective intervention strategies (Paulino et al., 2022).
Describe how the skills you learned while researching violence are useful in the workplace.	The skills I developed while researching violence have broad workplace applications. I’ve learned to analyze complex problems from multiple perspectives, use evidence-based approaches to problem-solving, and understand human behavior patterns. These skills are valuable for conflict resolution, policy development, and creating safer work environments. Additionally, the ability to recognize and account for personal biases helps in making more objective decisions in professional settings.

Part 3: Looking for a Solution

Scoring Criterion: Describe steps needed to think critically about solutions to prevent domestic violence.

Purpose: To engage in critical thinking on a subject.

Preparation. The CDC offers strategies for preventing domestic violence. You can learn more here: Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies. (Also available in the PSYC-FPX1010 Reading List.)

Choose one strategy from the CDC website above that you are skeptical about.

Directions: Fill in the chart below.

Prompt	Your Replies
Criticize the Claim. Write your concern about the prevention strategy as a statement or question.	The CDC’s strategy of teaching healthy relationship skills in schools may not be sufficient to prevent domestic violence in communities where violence is normalized through cultural practices and familial patterns. While education is important, it may not overcome deeply ingrained social norms and family dynamics that contribute to violent behavior.
Ask Questions. Ask at least 3 questions to help clarify what you need to know to support or disprove your claim.	Ø How effectively do relationship skills learned in school settings transfer to home environments where different behavioral models are prevalent?Ø What is the long-term retention rate of healthy relationship skills when students return to environments where violence is normalized?Ø How can school-based programs address the influence of family dynamics and cultural factors that may contradict the taught principles?
Define Your Terms. List the key concepts/terms and provide a definition.	Ø Healthy Relationship Skills: Interpersonal abilities including communication, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation that contribute to positive relationships (Todorov et al., 2023)Ø Cultural Normalization: The process by which certain behaviors, including violence, become accepted as standard or typical within a specific community (Rodelli et al., 2021)Ø Prevention Strategy: A systematic approach designed to stop problematic behavior before it occurs (Holton et al., 2024)Ø School-Based Intervention: Educational programs implemented within academic settings to influence student behavior and attitudes (Cipriano et al., 2023)
Analyze Assumptions and Biases. List two assumptions or biases that may affect your opinion on this topic.	Ø Assumption: I may be assuming that school-based education can’t overcome home influences, which might underestimate the power of early intervention and education.Ø Bias: My skepticism might reflect a Western educational bias that doesn’t fully acknowledge the potential for schools to serve as catalysts for cultural change in various communities.
Examine the Evidence. Describe the type of evidence you would need to support or disprove your claim.	To evaluate this prevention strategy effectively, I would need:· Longitudinal studies tracking violence rates in communities before and after implementing school-based programs· Comparative data between communities with and without these programs· Qualitative research on how students apply learned skills in their home environments· Cross-cultural studies examining program effectiveness across different cultural contexts· Data on program effectiveness in communities with different levels of baseline violence
Weigh Conclusions. Describe what thought process you would follow to conclude whether your claim was true or false (without letting assumptions, biases, or heuristics interfere, see Chapter 7)	To reach an objective conclusion about the strategy’s effectiveness, I would:1. First examine the quantitative data on violence rates in communities with and without the program, controlling for other variables2. Review qualitative studies of student experiences and behavior changes after program participation3. Analyze how program effectiveness varies across different cultural contexts and community types4. Consider alternative explanations for any observed changes in violence rates5. Compare the cost-effectiveness of school-based programs versus other prevention strategies6. Synthesize findings while actively checking for confirmation bias and emotional reasoning that might affect interpretation7. Draw conclusions based on the strength of evidence rather than preexisting beliefs about educational interventions

References

Akpan, B. (2020). Classical and operant conditioning—ivan Pavlov; Burrhus Skinner. Springer Texts in Education, 1(1), 71–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43620-9_6

Bandura, A. (2024). Social learning analysis of aggression. Routledge EBooks, 203–232. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003487630-10

Bennett, M., & Hacker , P. (2022). Philosophical foundations of neuroscience. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=vFBDEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA23&dq=Biological+(neuroscience

Bhatia, S., & Priya, K. R. (2021). Review of General Psychology, 25(4), 108926802110465. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680211046507

Bușu, A.-F. (2020). Emotional intelligence as a type of cognitive ability. Revista de Științe Politice. Revue Des Sciences Politiques, 66, 204–215. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1055532

The state of evidence for social and emotional learning: A contemporary meta-analysis of universal school-based SEL interventions. Child Development, 94(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13968

Cole , M. (2024). Group dynamics in occupational therapy. Google Books. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=H54LEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1838&dq=Revealed+how+social+situations+and+group+dynamics+influence+individual+behavior&ots=axdgJvK7Uq&sig=HqLPwliNYCeNBOtGMRZxCK0b35I

Hamilton, P., Hockey, B., & Rejman, M. (2022). The place of the concept of activation in human information processing theory: An integrative Approach. Routledge EBooks, 463–486. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003309734-25

Herrenkohl, T. I., Fedina, L., Roberto, K. A., Raquet, K. L., Hu, R. X., Rousson, A. N., & Mason, W. A. (2020). Child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence, and elder mistreatment: A review and theoretical analysis of research on violence across the life course. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 23(1), 152483802093911. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838020939119

Jhangiani, R., & Tarry, H. (2022, September 26). Defining social psychology: History and principles – principles of social psychology – 1st International Edition. Opentextbc.ca. https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/chapter/defining-social-psychology-history-and-principles/

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Learning, L. (2021). The history of psychology—The cognitive revolution and multicultural psychology. Pressbooks.nscc.ca. https://pressbooks.nscc.ca/lumenpsychology/chapter/reading-the-cognitive-revolution-and-multicultural-psychology/

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Miller, P. H. (2022). Developmental theories: Past, present, and future. Developmental Review, 66(101049). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2022.101049

Mulay, A. L., & Cain, N. M. (2020). Antisocial personality disorder. Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences, 206–215. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_569

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Paulino, M., Barbosa Marques, P., Rodrigues, M. O., & Morewitz, S. J. (2022, January 1). Chapter 11 – Contributions of psychological science to enhancing law enforcement agencies’ response to intimate partner violence (P. B. Marques & M. Paulino, Eds.). ScienceDirect; Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128165447000115

Pearce, J. (2023, February 16). The Neuron Doctrine: Santiago Ramón y Cajal and Camillo Golgi – Hektoen International. Hektoen International – an Online Medical Humanities Journal. https://hekint.org/2023/02/16/the-neuron-doctrine-santiago-ramon-y-cajal-and-camillo-golgi/

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