SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

THE DESIGN SCHOOL

FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT

(FNBE) AUGUST 2014 INTAKE

NAME: FOO ZHI FUNG

STUDENT ID NO: 0320226

Group/Session: Monday 2pm

Subject and Course: Social Psychology (PSYC0103)

Assignment 1 – Individual Journal

SUBMISSION DATE: 27/4/ 2015

CHAPTER 2

Entry 1: Self-serving biases

The definition of self-serving bias is people's tendency to attribute positive events to

their own character but attribute negative events to external factors. It's a common

type of cognitive bias that has been extensively studied in social psychology.

Self-serving biases always happened in my life. I still remember during my

secondary school exam, I get an E on my English test. When I went home, I get

scolded by my parent, I always blame my surrounding that my school teacher

doesn’t teach me well, tuition teacher not giving enough exercise to do. This is where

the external attribution for negative outcome happened. On the other hand, when I

get good score for my exam I always rewards myself saying to my parent that I study

hard for this score. This is where the internal attribution for positive outcome

happened.

CHAPTER 2

Entry 2: False Consensus

The definition of false consensus are effect refers to the tendency of people to

overestimate the level to which other people share their beliefs, attitudes, and

behaviours. Learn false consensus effects, how it related to external factors, and

more.

One day my best friend asked me to go to the store and get her some can drinks, but

she didn't tell me what kind of drinks that she one. I have no idea of what kind of

drinks to buy for her. This is where False Consensus happen. I actually buy for her

my favourite drinks because I thought that she will like the same drink as me but, too

bad after I pass her the drink she actually complaint that she don’t like the taste of

the drink. In this incident I have learn that false consensus can actually always

happen in my daily life.

CHAPTER 4

Entry 3: Halo Effect

One positive attribute will cause us to attribute other positive qualities to an

individual. This also speak to the important of a good first impression. Can occurs

without our active awareness.

I still remember the day after I finish my SPM I went to find a part time job

while waiting for the result. I went to a job interview at OUG very near to my house.

One night before the interview day I plan to wear nice and clean cloth to the job

interview. On the actual day, while waiting for my turn I saw a lot of people waiting to

be interview too. I notice that some people who don’t dress up being rejected directly

without being interview , this is when I realize that halo effect happen and is very

important that our first impression to other people.

CHAPTER 4

Entry 4: The Confirmation Bias

Confirmation biases impact how people gather information, but they also influence

how people interpret and recall information. For example, people who support or

oppose a particular issue will not only seek information that supports their beliefs,

they will also interpret news stories in a way that upholds their existing ideas and

remember things in a way that also reinforces these attitudes.

During a friend gathering a friend of mine who I really care suddenly take out his

cigarette and smoke. My friend and I trying to lecture him about how harmful

cigarette to our heath. He not just ignore our concern , he try to find a lot of excuses

saying smoking is not really that bad .After that incident he started to join his

smoking gang because he thinks that they have the same belief as him . This is

where the confirmation bias came in, people will only hang out or listen to people

who share the same thought.

CHAPER 8

Entry 5: Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial Behaviour refers to the phenomenon of people helping each other with no

thought of reward or compensation. You may have thought this didn't exist, but it's

been known to happen. Prosocial behaviours are actions or patterns of behaviour

rather than motivations. The motivation to do charitable acts is called altruism. For

example, if a person gives an unmarked box of clothing to a shelter anonymously,

the action of giving the box is the prosocial behaviour. The person's motivation to

give the box would be altruism.

One day, I went to Sunway with my friends. While we were waiting in the bus stop,

suddenly in the middle of our conversation we saw a girl being robbed by 2 men

beside the bus stop with a motorbike. She was cry on the floor waiting for people to

come and help. My friends and I was discussing if we should go and help her, but I

tell my friends that there will people will help her and just watch and see. By the time

goes by, there was nobody come near to her because everyone was practicing

Prosocial Behaviour which is not a good things to be practice.