Social Justice

Artifacts:

Reflections:

Statistical Literacy In Psychology 

Dr. Christopher Magnuson, Fall 2023

For Project Three I decided to focus on the topic of racial discrimination. The GSS data from 2018 asked different races if they believed racial discrimination was to blame for Black people having worse income, jobs, and housing than White people. The results showed significant statistical differences from expected frequencies with 71% of Black people believing racial discrimination was to blame while only 39% of Whites believed the same. 

Theories of Personality 

Dr. Chrisanna Mastorakis, Winter 2023

The Module Four Journal required an in-depth understanding of the humanistic approach to personality psychology. This journal incorporated several programmatic themes, but I believed it best fit with social justice. Systemic racism, poverty, food insecurity, and other plights of those less fortunate immediately place them at a disadvantage of reaching self-actualization. There's an opportunity for each of us to be agents of change in our communities and positively impact lives.

Theories of Social Psychology 

Monique Wischusen, LMFT, February 2024

Project Two focused on implicit bias and stereotype threat as they relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The socio-psychological implications of each are first described, then the concept of growth mindset is explored. The project concludes with my recommendations to the university of how to promote DEI utilizing numerous social psychology theories.

Psychology and Social Change

Professor Ryan Aldrich, Summer 2024

I found it insightful to delve into how my identity, core values, and ethical decision-making shape my advocacy efforts. Analyzing my personal commitment to social justice highlighted the importance of promoting equality and fighting discrimination. Examining the influence of social factors, such as community values, public opinion, and media input, revealed how these elements guide my ethical considerations and actions. Writing about the challenges of cognitive dissonance helped me understand the internal conflicts that arise when my behaviors don't fully align with my beliefs. Reflecting on strategies like reframing, rationalizing, and goal setting underscored the importance of self-reflection and introspection in achieving cognitive consonance. 

Psychology and Social Change

Professor Ryan Aldrich, Summer 2024

I gained insights into the critical role of psychology in effective advocacy. Discussing grit and resilience showed me the persistence needed for long-term efforts, as exemplified by figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Exploring Emotional Intelligence (EI) underscored its importance in building relationships and enhancing collaboration, crucial for collective action. Delving into psychological subdisciplines like abnormal and social psychology illuminated how they empower me to effectively challenge mental health stigma. This writing process reinforced the value of my psychological education and its application in advocacy, emphasizing continuous learning and informed strategy development to drive meaningful social change.