Suchergebnisse

This paper reports on two studies in which different adult populations who had not formally studied psychology completed multiple-choice tests derived from general psychology textbooks to evaluate specific knowledge of the discipline. The aim was to determine to what extent psychology was "common sense" and which personal characteristics, such as sex, education, and age, best predicted correct answers. In the first study, 114 students about to start a psychology degree, and 222 nonstudent adults, completed a 106-item questionnaire taken from a standard textbook. There was considerable variability in the extent to which participants checked the correct answer, with an overall average of only 56% (just above chance). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in knowledge overall or in any particular areas. A regression showed books read and belief in the scientific nature of psychology to be the best predictors of overall knowledge. In the second study, 94 first-year students at the beginning of their course and 136 student applicants completed a 114-item questionnaire derived from a different textbook, this time focusing on child development. There was no difference in the correct responses between a psychology-student and nonstudent group, with both groups getting around 53% of the answers correct. Interest in, and experience of, psychology did not predict total correct scores. Like previous studies in the area, the results failed to indicate any major variables that predict knowledge of psychological processes.

This text is a review of a book by Prof. Dr. Tijana Mandić Komunikologija, Psihologija komunikacije (Communicology, Psychology of Communication), fourth edition, 20003, Clio, Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy, Belgrade.

WHY DO GOVERNMENTS OR POWERFUL GROUPS IN A SOCIETY FOSTER GENOCIDE, MASS MURDER, AND OTHER ORGANIZED ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST A SUBGROUP? THIS ARTICLE EXPLORES PSYCHOLOGICAL SOURCES, SOCIAL CONDITIONS, AND CULTURAL PRECONDITIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH ACTIONS. IN THEIR NEED TO DEAL WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DIFFICULT LIFE CONDITIONS, PEOPLE OFTEN WILL SCAPEGOAT, AND TURN TO IDEOLOGIES WHICH OFFER HOPE BUT IDENTIFY SOME GROUP AS AN ENEMY. THESE AND OTHER WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DIFFICULT LIFE CONDITIONS FREQUENTLY GIVE RISE TO VIOLENCE. CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULTURE-SUCH AS A BELIEF IN CULTURAL SUPERIORITY DEVALUATION OF, AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST, A GROUP, OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY, AND OTHERS-MAKE THIS MORE LIKELY. ONCE MISTREATMENT HAS STARTED, PARTICIPATION OR PASSIVITY BY MANY MEMBERS OF SOCIETY MAKES ITS CONTINUATION MORE LIKELY. REASONS FOR FREQUENT PASSIVITY BYSTANDERS, WHO HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL INFLUENCE, ARE DISCUSSED. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DIRECT PERPETRATORS IS EXPLORED, INCLUDING REVERSAL OF MORALITY DUE TO IDEOLOGY AND THE ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY LEADERS. AS THE CONCEPTION IS PRESENTED IT IS APPLIED TO AN EXAMINATION OF THE HOLOCAUST IN NAZI GERMANY. THE POSSIBILITY OF DIMINISHING SUCH CRUELTY IN THE WORLD IS ALSO DISCUSSED.