Psychology (Coursework)

A critical review of chapter 8 on Ideology in Martha Augostinos; Social Cognition
Introduction
Generally, ideology can be defined as the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group. At the same time, the term ideology also may be used to describe the shared beliefs of a group of people, for example a nation, a sect of a religion, or a group of theorists. As a result therefore, the term Ideology translates to the science or study of ideas. However, ideology tends to refer to the way in which people think about the world and their ideal concept of how to live in the world. This is slightly different from philosophy in the sense that ideology encompasses the concept that one’s ideals are the best way. Today the term ideology is used in so many ways, that it is often difficult to know how to describe it. In some ways, the common, shared beliefs of a community may be considered its common sense ideology. For example, a group of people living near the wilderness might share the ideology that it is not wise to venture into the bush alone and at night. Conversely, city people, for the most part, might believe that it make sense to look both ways before crossing a street. Common sense ideology often concerns the protection of the individual and community as a whole.
Chapter 8 in Martha Augostinos discussion of Ideology is one that details many aspects as it regards ideology from a social cognition perspective giving illustrations on the significance of various aspects and the role that ideology plays in this. The author puts across a wealthy discussion on the influence that ideology has on an individual’s social cognition and hence social welfare. In this regard, the author’s comprehensive introduction to ideology and further its detailed discussion effectively the distinct traditions that have over the years developed to influence social relationships. The chapter further guides readers through the comprehensible discussion with a critical look at the factors that influence social relationships.
However, this chapter is at some point contradictory in the various issues raised as well as the array of theories used by the author to describe the aspect of ideology. At the same time, the author successfully uses varying methodologies and applications regarding ideology and therefore demonstrating how fruitfully the contrasting styles can cross-fertilize. Generally, ideology relates to both individual and societal understanding on the way various aspects of the society co relate and how they can effectively be rationalized to enhance societal wellbeing.
In her discussion, Martha Augostinos is of the opinion that among the crucial aspects in ideology study includes work on attitudes, social schemas and attributions. According to her, these play a crucial role in enhancing the development of a well rounded society. According to her, these work hand in hand alongside social identity and social representations that bring out an individuals characteristics and hence importance in the society. The author discusses this while pointing out that there exists important linkages between social representations and social identity arguing that one cannot downplay the crucial role that these two aspects play in individual and societal development and therefore the importance of these two aspects across these domains.
Generally, ideology is the study of how people make sense out of themselves and others. According to the author, the study of ideology focuses on how people think about other people and how they think about others and themselves. It is with this understanding therefore that the author illustrates the importance of the way people think about themselves and others in the society. Generally the way people think about other as well as themselves in the society plays a major role in dictating the way the two relate. When individuals see each other as important to the society, this means that they would respect each other.
On the other hand if individual’s would disrespect each other by assuming that they do not play an important role in the society, then chances are that they are unable to peacefully coexist. As a result therefore, it is very important to ensure that all individuals think rightly about each other to enhance respect and peaceful coexistence in the society. The author further stresses that ideology looks at the higher mental processes that are engaged while in social situations or in dealing with social information (perception, memory, attention, reasoning, and problem solving).
In this regard, taking the best of the North American cognitivist and individualist social psychology, the author integrates this with the broader framework of...