Interested In Psychology?

[Vanilla]

Hi all

I've got a keen interest in psychology, and the human condition, and wanted to start this post to see if anyone else felt like talking about it too. I'm up for any debates or discussions, so let me know if you're keen. You can even pick a sub topic if you're itching to talk about a particular one.

My current topics of interest include:
- Autism/ AS (obviously)
- Personality Disorders
- Male vs. Female brains
- Reading people
- Psychology behind media and culture
- Self-awareness

Hopefully that'll get the ball rolling

 

[Ereth]

Count me in!

 

[Vanilla]

Count me in!

Cool

Would you like to pick a category, or should I?

 

[Judge]

Oh yeah. I especially got interested in psychology after attending a poli-sci lecture on the research of Dr. Stanley Milgram, a social psychologist.

He conducted a somewhat alarming study of how people can succumb to blind obedience in "authoritarian situations".

"I was only following orders" isn't just for Nazis.

Psychology History

 

[Turnip]

Oh yeah. I especially got interested in psychology after attending a poli-sci lecture on the research of Dr. Stanley Milgram, a social psychologist.

He conducted a somewhat alarming study of how people can succumb to blind obedience in "authoritarian situations".

"I was only following orders" isn't just for Nazis.

Psychology History

A while ago my occasional-pop-psychology-article-reader interest in the Milgram experiment twigged that I really should double check that it really worth the significance attributed to it. First stop was Wikipedia Milgram experiment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia then further Googling ensued finding articles like The Secrets Behind Psychology’s Most Famous Experiment | Psychology Today

As a result, I am no longer as impressed by claims that this experiment says something profound about human nature as I once accepted.

 

[Judge]

As a result, I am no longer as impressed by claims that this experiment says something profound about human nature as I once accepted.

Depends entirely on one's perspective. The experiment itself isn't profound, however it does tie into the behavior of millions of people historically caught up in authoritarian mass movements. Reflecting that certain points in history and attributes such as national origins or culture are far less critical than previously thought.

That it's human nature that often drives human conflict. No nationalism, culture, race, ideology or religion required.

 

[Turnip]

Depends entirely on one's perspective. The experiment itself isn't profound, however it does tie into the behavior of millions of people historically caught up in authoritarian mass movements. Reflecting that certain points in history and attributes such as national origins or culture are far less critical than previously thought.

That it's human nature that often drives such behavior. No nationalism, culture, race, ideology or religion required.

What "depends entirely on one's perspective"? I believe you completely misunderstood my post

Let's consider a completely different experiment, the OPERA experiment which in 2011 found neutrinos moving faster than the speed of light. Faster-than-light neutrino anomaly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia If the results were reproducible and not due to error/misinterpretation of data then they would also be extremely "profound", however as they were shown to be erroneous then the results are not profound (at least not in the field of Physics)

EDIT: perhaps the experiments "proving" a chemical basis for memory, showing memory transfer (in ability to solve a particular mazes) between a flatworm fed to another flatworm, where the later had not encountered the maze before, would have been a less off-topic example: The memory-transfer episode

In the same way, if the Milgram experimental method or results are questionable than it can not be held to saying the same thing about human nature as you suggest in your post can be attributed to it. If you attribute such importance to it, I suggest that you also do you due diligence to look into it's validity before you next cite it in a conversation.

 

[Judge]

What "depends entirely on one's perspective"? I believe you completely misunderstood my post

I was never arguing the validity of the research. Merely connecting it to the study of the origin of mass authoritarian movements. You're reading far too much that isn't there on my part. What you choose to construe as "profound" is relative on a number of levels. This isn't an epiphany.

To consider the source of many human conflicts isn't solely predicated on ideology, race, religion or cultural differences. But rather perhaps just the opposite. Our common humanity....or the lack thereof. It's interesting to consider. Whether you or I disagrees with it is academic. We are both free to cite what we want here unless the mods determine otherwise. But without condescension.

 

[Turnip]

I was never arguing the validity of the research.

Judge, I was "arguing the validity of the research", I did not "accuse" you of doing the same

If you disagree, that's fine. But don't attempt to dictate what people can say here simply because you disagree with it. Suggesting censorship is a matter for the mods...not the members.

How have I dictated "what people can say here" or suggested "censorship"?

 

[Judge]

Judge, I was "arguing the validity of the research", I did not "accuse" you of doing the same

How have I dictated "what people can say here" or suggested "censorship"?

You could have asked my opinion of the research itself. Instead you just assumed something and followed it with condescension. People are free here to cite whatever they want, however they want. Whether you "approve" of it or not. If you want to debate it further, that's fine. It's an interesting subject....why try to derail it?

If you attribute such importance to it, I suggest that you also do you due diligence to look into it's validity before you next cite it in a conversation.

 

[Brent]

Please keep it civil

 

[Turnip]

You could have asked my opinion of the research itself. Instead you just assumed something and followed it with condescension. People are free here to cite whatever they want, however they want. Whether you "approve" of it or not.

Please understand at no time have I intended anything I have said to be condescending to you. Please try and re-read my posts considering what I have expressed was my intention; and with a neutral tone (EDIT: or don't - this is not an order, merely a suggestion). I don't know what you think I "assumed" about you, but as I have already said I think you've misunderstood me.

By the same token, I've asked you to clarify yourself several times in this thread and you have not done so.

From my perspective, it seems very much like you're attacking me!

 

[Judge]

From my perspective, it seems very much like you're attacking me!

Indeed, I could say the same. Clearly we're misunderstanding each other on multiple levels. So perhaps we should just agree to move on....ok?

"What we have is a failure to communicate." - Strother Martin, "Cool Hand Luke"

 

[Vanilla]

Haha, sorry Brent, probably opened up a can of worms

Well, it is an interesting subject nonetheless, and I'm keen to look more in to it. I have read much about the effects of manipulation people can have, but haven't looked in to it on a grander scale, so it will be interesting to compare.

While I haven't read much yet on the subject of mass manipulation, from what I have read, causes me to suspect that there are many factors to consider here, besides simply giving out orders. When comparing it to a job situation, it's true, an employee will feel pressured to follow instructions to the letter, but there's always a chance they will object with their employer, or quit.

I think the only way for the manipulator to become truly successful is to adopt an unhealthy, Narcassistic-based relationship on those they try to manipulate. This would not only ensure that those they manipulate 'stay in line', but it also ensures that they have full control over them. This would explain why people in said situations appear as 'bullies'. They not only have to cause said pain, but are constantly exposed to it themselves. This is a technique the manipulator will use to condition their 'pawns' to do their bidding. When you apply pressure on to people, they're going to act out. It would not surprise me if this was the tactics used by the Nazis, as it seems quite efficient for their cause.

Obviously it's a horrible fate, and I don't agree with it at all, but being aware of such a tactic is important, I believe, so that one might learn how to spot it, and avoid it early on.

 

[Judge]

While I haven't read much yet on the subject of mass manipulation, from what I have read, causes me to suspect that there are many factors to consider here, besides simply giving out orders. When comparing it to a job situation, it's true, an employee will feel pressured to follow instructions to the letter, but there's always a chance they will object with their employer, or quit.

Good point. People can be intimidated on numerous levels, not simply government. Reminds me of the same instructor who pondered how simply operating an automobile may have skewed the driver's sense of power and authority when he hit a pedestrian and left the scene of the accident. The thing is, the driver was also a Catholic priest. What was the real catalyst which caused him to lose his moral/religious compass?

It's just interesting stuff to ponder, whether one buys into what Milgram was researching or not. How people react under perceived stress...let alone an authoritarian situation.

 

[Vanilla]

Good point. People can be intimidated on numerous levels, not simply government. Reminds me of the same instructor who pondered how simply operating an automobile may have skewed the driver's sense of power and authority when he hit a pedestrian and left the scene of the accident. The thing is, the driver was also a Catholic priest. What was the real catalyst which caused him to lose his moral/religious compass?

It's just interesting stuff to ponder, whether one buys into what Milgram was researching or not. How people react under perceived stress...

Wow, that's pretty bad. Fear is a powerful motivator though. They say that most people who lie, do so as a reflex of self-preservation. I imagine that would have caused him a lot of inner turmoil afterwards. I wonder whether he ever confessed to it? Sometimes it's easier to accept the apologies of others, than it is to accept our own, I find. Unless you're arrogant, haha

 

[Judge]

Wow, that's pretty bad. Fear is a powerful motivator though. They say that most people who lie, do so as a reflex of self-preservation. I imagine that would have caused him a lot of inner turmoil afterwards. I wonder whether he ever confessed to it? Sometimes it's easier to accept the apologies of others, than it is to accept our own, I find. Unless you're arrogant, haha

Yep, lots of interesting tangents here. It never fails to amaze me how politicians would rather lie about something relatively insignificant, than tell the truth and project contrition which can get them out of a fire. We're a strange species!

 

[Vanilla]

Yep, lots of interesting tangents here. It never fails to amaze me how politicians would rather lie about something relatively insignificant, than tell the truth and project contrition which can get them out of a fire. We're a strange species!

Yeah, I know what you mean. My friend thinks I'm paranoid when I tell him that society has many foundations of lies, which most people aren't aware of, or refuse to acknowledge. It's an odd thing.

 

[Arashi222]

I love psychology. Count me in. I have my BA in psycholgy and MSW (Masters of Social work) as well as a my LGSW (lisenced Grad Social worker) so I am thrilled to talk about anything psychology wise in terms of practice or in research. I too have a very good knoweledge basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorders, Attachment theory, Family and couple therapy (Though I didn't like doing couple therapy), I also love developmental disorders as well.

 

[Vanilla]

I love psychology. Count me in. I have my BA in psycholgy and MSW (Masters of Social work) as well as a my LGSW (lisenced Grad Social worker) so I am thrilled to talk about anything psychology wise in terms of practice or in research. I too have a very good knoweledge basis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Personality Disorders, Attachment theory, Family and couple therapy (Though I didn't like doing couple therapy), I also love developmental disorders as well.

Ooh, nice

I'd be fairly interested to pick your brain.

I can see why couple therapy would get a little frustrating after a while. At the moment I've bee reading up a lot of the strange behaviours of the Narcissist. It's not always a pleasant conversation topic, but I'm intrigued by the way they think, and operate; mainly because I know a few. Understanding helps me to get along with them better.

Have you had much experience with them?