Final Research Paper
For the final paper you are to research a specific aspect of cognition, emotion and motivation that most interests you. Integrate a discussion of how you see your research findings as significant to your clinical work or the field of psychology in general.
Cognitive Dissonance
Psychologist Leon Festinger will be remembered for his theory of cognitive dissonance. His theory and research centered on the subjective feeling of tension or discomfort that occurs when a person’s beliefs do not match their behaviors. People search for homeostasis, or consistency, between their belief system and their actual conduct. When old belief systems conflict with newly held beliefs, or there is a discrepancy between their beliefs and …show more content…
Currently most people would agree that empathy is the ability to sense another person’s emotions along with envisioning what they might be thinking or feeling (so called walking in another’s shoes).
The experience of empathy is more than just seeing the world from another person’s point of view. Although the act of seeing the world from another person’s perspective often leads to the emotional experience of empathy, it is possible to see the world from another person’s perspective without experiencing empathy. Empathy is the ability to experience the world from another person’s viewpoint; including thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and interpretations. …show more content…
It is also crucial in building successful relationships by allowing the individual to understand another person’s wants, needs and intentions. Research has shown that empathy has far reaching effects on a person’s overall psychological functioning including: 1. Increased capacity to help others, even when it is against the persons own self-interest. 2. A decrease in the experience and expression of prejudice and racism. 3. Deepens feelings of intimacy and increases overall relationship satisfaction. 4. Decreases incidences of bullying. 5. And is linked to emotional well-being and over all life satisfaction
For the final paper you are to research a specific aspect of cognition, emotion and motivation that most interests you. Integrate a discussion of how you see your research findings as significant to your clinical work or the field of psychology in general.
Cognitive Dissonance
Psychologist Leon Festinger will be remembered for his theory of cognitive dissonance. His theory and research centered on the subjective feeling of tension or discomfort that occurs when a person’s beliefs do not match their behaviors. People search for homeostasis, or consistency, between their belief system and their actual conduct. When old belief systems conflict with newly held beliefs, or there is a discrepancy between their beliefs and …show more content…
Currently most people would agree that empathy is the ability to sense another person’s emotions along with envisioning what they might be thinking or feeling (so called walking in another’s shoes).
The experience of empathy is more than just seeing the world from another person’s point of view. Although the act of seeing the world from another person’s perspective often leads to the emotional experience of empathy, it is possible to see the world from another person’s perspective without experiencing empathy. Empathy is the ability to experience the world from another person’s viewpoint; including thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and interpretations. …show more content…
It is also crucial in building successful relationships by allowing the individual to understand another person’s wants, needs and intentions. Research has shown that empathy has far reaching effects on a person’s overall psychological functioning including: 1. Increased capacity to help others, even when it is against the persons own self-interest. 2. A decrease in the experience and expression of prejudice and racism. 3. Deepens feelings of intimacy and increases overall relationship satisfaction. 4. Decreases incidences of bullying. 5. And is linked to emotional well-being and over all life satisfaction