Current events in the news
Current events – find a recent (within 6 months) article in the news, describing a specific event (such as a crime that was committed, a human interest piece on a somehow remarkable person, or a comment made by a politician), and explain that event using material from the unit just covered. Be sure to use as many relevant terms from the chapter(s) as you can, and find an outside source that explains the psychological issues in your paper.
**Please note that this topic asks you to cover a SPECIFIC EVENT. Do not write about an article explaining a recent psychological finding. **
Sample Solution
Recently, there has been a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States. This is particularly concerning during the Covid 19 pandemic due to the false narrative that Asians are responsible for the virus and should be punished for it (Chen, 2021). The psychological implications of this prejudice go beyond negative emotions such as fear and anger; they can also interfere with one’s motivation and self-efficacy levels by damaging their sense of safety in their community (Liu et al., 2020).
At an interpersonal level, Asian Americans may feel an increased desire to conform to societal norms regarding behaviors that have become associated with Covid 19—such as social distancing protocols or wearing masks—in order to avoid being targeted for discrimination (Chang & Tsui, 2020). This connection between emotion regulation and social conformity can lead individuals to engage in behavior that decreases risk but may not always be aligned with what they personally believe is best.
The recent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes highlights the need for greater education on diversity issues within our communities so people are better able to recognize harmful stereotypes when they encounter them. By increasing understanding about cultural differences we can help promote more harmonious interpersonal relationships among all peoples regardless of race or ethnicity. These efforts will also help improve mental health outcomes among those affected by discrimination through reducing feelings of powerlessness which often result from experiences where one’s actions do not match up with one’s beliefs (Liu et al., 2020).
Ultimately, this event showcases some important psychology related topics including emotion regulation, motivation levels, and intercultural communication patterns during times of crisis like we find ourselves currently facing. Focusing on these core concepts may provide us with greater insight into how we can best support each other while providing meaningful ways forward out of this pandemic period.
