NAME: FELIX VONG ZHI WEI

STUDENT ID: 0318462

SUBJECT: SOCIAL PYSCHOLOGY

COURSE CODE: PSY30203

E-MAIL: felix_vong@hotmail.com

LECTURER: MS. NORUL HIDAYAH

TITLE: ASSIGNMENT 1 – INDIVIDUAL JOURNAL

SUBMISSION DATE: 30/10/2014

Social behavior is the tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms one’s beliefs, which leads to social cognition, which is the way we store and process

information. The picture that I’ve chosen shows an old beggar and a high school student walking by while smirking.

Perseverance effect is shown in the boy’s facial expressions and body language as he interprets what he sees in a biased way. He does not care about the beggar and even

worse, he seems to be mocking him indirectly. The contrast between his face and the beggar’s helpless face is quite hurtful to witness.

Representative heuristic can be seen from the other citizens. They are uncertain about how they should react to the beggar and take judgmental shortcuts by

neglecting him. This is because heuristic is effortless and simplifies decision-making. Also, people think that he is different and belongs to the lower stratum of the society. This results in judgmental thoughts.

Moreover, as people expect beggars to be dirty and disrespectable, they would

choose to walk away, rather than giving help. This is self-fulfilling prophecy, in which their behavior is influenced by their expectations. It is also because of their stereotyped views of general beggars by average citizens, most of the people would

want to be far from them.

To sum up, we should not assume one’s demeanor by one’s outward appearance, as we do not understand their backgrounds. We should face life situations in a fair and logical manner, by keeping personal opinions to ourselves and not express it to others

as it might cause conflicts.

(264 words)