School of Architecture, Building & Design

Foundation in Natural & Built Environment (FNBE)

Social Psychology
Assignment 1 Journal

Name : Chang May Chen

Student ID : 0322636
Subject : Social Psychology (PSYC 0203 )
Lecturer : Dr. T Shankar
Group/Session : Monday 1:00pm
Course : Foundation in Natural and Built Environment
Submission date : 16 November 2015

Entry 1
2/11/2015
11.30pm

Motivation
There are two types of motivation. One is intrinsic motivation and
another one is extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation means
taking a certain action for the sake of enjoyment. However, extrinsic
motivation is taking a certain action in response to external pressure
or obligation. Both of the theories have integrated with my own
personal experiences.
One of the model in Creative thinking Skill is each of us have to D.I.Y
a music instrument and having performance as a group on the
submission day. At the start, I do not have any motivation to start
this assignment. There are nothing related to architecture course.
This is the first model. So I expected this model must be interesting
and will be related back to architecture or maybe something related
to environment. Music related to architecture? Performance related
to architecture? I feel that this assignment is wasting time to doing
something useless. I have no motivation at all. I cannot find any
intrinsic motivation due to I dont understand the point to do this
model. I cannot find any extrinsic motivation because I dont even
know who are my group members and I dont have a close friend
with me because it is just the first day of the school.
The extrinsic motivation started to build up when I have met my
group members. There are 10 of them. They are enjoying this model
so much. For the first meeting, we are discussing for the music
instrument. Although for the music instrument is individual part but
the instrument have to different with each others. Every one of
them feels interesting and put many afford when discuss about the
music instrument. They not only think for their own music
instrument but also think for others group members. Not only that,
the leader Mr. J , really a good leader. He will put his group members
at the first place. I remember that he say : I will not let my group
members get low grade. When I heard what he say, I feel that I
have to get a good grade in this model. I feel that I cannot let him
and also others group members disappointed.
I start to change my mind. I try hard and give a lot of afford for my
music instrument and practice for the performance. I try to find the
learning outcome in this model. What is related to architect? Why

this model will set by lecture? How should I get a good grade in this
model? When I want doing the music instrument, I realize that I
have learned something from it.
The first music instrument, I am using carrot to make a flute. Its
work, but it cannot last long. My logical thinking is not that strong.
My concept and my work are creative but it not functional. Same
case in the real life of architect, when drawing a structure that
cannot be build, it is a useless drawing. I really learn something
from it. At the time, I start to put mine afford to done this
assignment.
When I throw my carrot flute in to the dustbin, I look at it. Hmm
do I use come recycle materials to make my music instrument. Yes,
why not? I went to my father factory and try to find any recycle
material can be reuse to make my music instrument. Finally, I find
some pieces of iron sheets. When I hit it. It will come out sound. I try
to hit different size of the iron sheets. It will come out with different
tone of sound. This is what I want. I decide to pick up all the iron
sheets and mortify the iron sheets. Finally, I have done my music
instrument using the iron sheets and it is free. I feel happy and
excited to show my music instrument on the performance day.
We speed around 2 weeks to practice the performance. Its been a
hard days night we keep repeating and sing it together while we
playing our own instrument. I look at my group members face, they
all look enjoy and their afford.
I find that my group members attitude is totally different with me.
They have positive attitude to face this model. They alert to plan our
next meeting and plan for the performance. They show a strong
group work and it motivated me to do better in performance. Now,
10 of them become my close friends. We lives like one big family. My
extrinsic motivation is mostly come from them. Not only that, I
found the intrinsic motivation after I making mistake in this
assignment. When I find that some things that I didnt obvious in
this assignment is actually related to architecture. The intrinsic
motivation is I really want to learn more in this assignment. I want to
learn more in every assignment.

Entry 2
6/11/2015
8.15pm

Self -efficacy
Self efficacy involved in two types, high-efficacy and low efficacy
High-efficacy is people who faced difficult tasks he or she treated it
as a challenge. For low-efficacy person, he or she will escape or
avoid it. In my case, I am a low-efficacy person.
During my secondary school day, I every subject I can just bear with
it and finish up all the homework before the submission day expect
for English. I not to say I hate English subject but I just dont like it.
In English class, I try to pay attention can listen what Ms. E explain.
Some times, I really feel bored in class. Yet, I wouldnt talk with my
friends in class due to I scare teacher will question me. Even though,
I didnt understand certain part poem. I wouldnt question it to
teacher because I know teacher will ask me what are you dont
understand? Which part you doesnt understand? What you
understand form it according to your own opinion? Yes, I know
teacher will question me when I got blur in that topic not because
she want to embarrassed me but she want just to find out my
weakness part and explain it again to me. Yet, I just hate to answer
all of the questions. All the questions that she asked I cannot answer
her. I already dont understand the topic, how do I understand her
question which and give her an answer. I just dont understand. So, I
will just ignore the part I dont understand and act like I understand
every thing that she say because I scare she question me.
Not only that, I will find a thousands reason to done English essay in
last minute. For example, the essay question is given by Monday
and the submission date is the coming Friday. At the same time, Add
Maths homework is also given in the same day but the submission

date is next Friday. Normally, I will choose to complete the work

need to submit early. Yet, I choose to finish Add Maths homework
even though the essay is still empty. I use 2 hours to complete my
20 add maths questions. Yes, is really a brainstormed section when
doing all the questions but I will just try my best to complete it.
When I faced the question that I dont understand, I will refer the
note that I take in class and find the similar example question in the
reference book.
On Thursday morning, I still leave my essay empty. I tell myself, I
need more examples from my friends essay. So, that day I really
read through my friends essay and asking them some related
question. After that, I still leave my essay empty. I tell my self again,
I will start write my essay after school. 1.30pm, school time is over. I
go back home and I feel sleepy. So, I put my bag away and take a
nap. Just a nap, when I open my eyes, the clock is showing
6.00pm. Yes, is time for dinner. After dinner, 7.30pm, my favorite
drama on show. I sit on sofa and continuo to watch my favorite
drama. I still remember I have not write my essay. But I tell myself,
drama may give me some inspiration to wire the essay. I finished
watching my drama. Although, I didnt get any inspiration from the
drama but what can I do for it? I just on my computer and hold a
pen and copy the whole essay from the Internet. What I hope is
teacher wouldnt realize that my essay is copy from somewhere
else.

I dont like to wire essay, I just dont like. I dont like do write
anything that are not straight forward and need to give many
explanation and examples. I know I cannot did well in langue subject
because langue is not my strong subject especially English. I will
find excuses to avoid and escape from the difficult tasks. On the
other hand, I will put full afford to compete the things I really like to
do even though it is hard. As a conclusion, I am a low-efficacy
person when faced thing that I dont like such as English, even
though it is an international langue and it will be that powerful
communication tool for my future. At the same time, I will be a
high-efficacy person when I faced thing that interested to. Now, I
realize I have to change my self efficacy. I have to facing every
single thing with high efficacy because college life is totally different
compare to secondary school life. I cannot copy or doing assignment
unceremonious because it will affect my CGPA and my architecture

future. I will try to apply high efficacy in my life when I faced

difficult tasks. I will take it as a challenge and overcome it.

Entry 3
13/11/2015
9.30pm

Stereotyping
Stereotypes are beliefs about people based on their membership in
a particular group. Stereotypes can be positive, negative, or neutral.
Stereotypes bases on gender, ethnicity, or occupation are common
in many societies. For example, people may stereotype women as
nurturing and car salespeople as dishonest.
Before I decide to take this course, I have done many surveys and
comparing diffracts collages. I not only go for education fair but also
join for their workshop. The stereotyping is happening when I went
to education fair. When I step in the entry, I saw difference types of
college and university. At that time, I have already knowing myself
very clear that I wouldnt take any subject that related accounting,
finance, or business. I will choose the course that related to design,
art, or construction. So that I will just ignore the college or university
that I feel it is familiar and strong in accounting or business such as
S College, Sun College, K College and so on. Even though, both of
this college may have the course that suitable for me such as design
but I wouldnt put them in my list because in my opinion these
colleges are good in accounting and business but not in arts. For

example, if I get an ACCA certificate in Sun University, people will

feel good on you. How about when I get AR certificate in Sun
University? Both also a professional certificate but the response
from the people or employer will different although both of the
professional certificates ate come form the same university. Of
cause, the ACCA certificate will be more valuable.
I choose to compares Lim University and Taylors University. I have
joined the workshop in Lim University. From my house, it really a
long distance to arrive there. The campus looks good and has a
huge lobby in the center of the campus. When I walk around, I
realize that around 70% of the students are international students
and it is more towards foreign country, especially black African.
Hmm.. If I further my study here, my English will be improve a lot
because I have to communicate with international students. But, I
have to group with them and anyone of them will be my group
member. We have to work together. I really can adapt with them?
Finally, I choose to study in Taylors University. In Taylors, majority is
local students and its also famous in architecture course. The fist
time I visit Taylor;s University, the first impression given to me is
luxury. There are different types of shop surrounded by the campus.
One of the famous coffee shop, Starbucks is located at there. When I
saw Starbucks, I feel that students who study here are come from a
rich family because not every ones can afford a cup of tea with
RM10 and above.
The first day of orientation day, the moment I step in to grand hall. I
find a place and sit alone. I just want be alone. I have a feel that
when I talk to someone else, he or she will be that kinds of
materialistic person and keep telling: Which branded bags are nice.
I going to buy a LV bag I have a limited addition shirt These
types of conversation will make me feel I am a low class people
because I dont have any idea about these kinds of things. I just
know about which shops are doing promotion and sales. I choose to
be an anti-social person in the whole day.
Lastly, I have known some new friends when playing station game. I
know I fail to be an anti-social person. I have lunch with them
together. Normally, I will just spend maximum RM10 for my lunch.
Yet, I will automatically set my budget become higher because I
expect them go to a high-class restaurant and will eat some
expensive foods. Yet, what I expect is totally different. One of them

have prepare his own. Some of them even suggest eating in a

Mamak shop. I was surprised because I thought the standard for
them would be higher since they are studying in Taylor.
When I am choosing which institution to go to, I will only look for
Taylors as it has a much more higher standard in the architecture
course. Not only that, the stereotype for students in Taylor are much
more higher budget in terms of eating in which fit my criteria while
choosing college to study.

Entry 4
22/11/2015
8.00pm

Egoistic model
Why do we help?
Psychological Egoists say that behind every action that appears to
be altruistic there is really a selfish motive. People help others
because they believe it will get them into heaven, or because it will
bring them public recognition, or because they enjoy the gratitude
of those they help, etc. Attributing selfish motives to account for
apparently altruistic behavior requires that we re-interpret the
motives behind such behavior. There are 3 types of evolutionary
factors in helping, Kin Selection, Reciprocal Altruism and Group
Selection. Reciprocal altruism has applied in my real life. Reciprocal

altruism is type of helping behavior that is perpetuated when one

individual helps another at some future time the second individual
returns to kindness either to their first benefactor or his or her
progeny.
When I was form 4, I didnt get well in PMR. My friends all study in to
science class because they did well in PMR. I am the only one who
drops in to art class. Even thought art class is my first option to
study but I have to be alone because I have no friends in art class. I
have no choice. I cannot change it anymore. So, I determined I
would study hard and get a good result in SPM.
In the class, all faces are unfamiliar. Only on of the boy that I
familiar, he is my primary school friend. I have been same class with
him 2 years in primary school. Yet, I still remember his name but I
not sure he can still remember me because almost 3 years we didnt
meet up.
I sit beside a girls Slyvia, hello, I am Slyvia. Nice to meet you, I
am Maychen. She is the first girl that I meet in class. The first class
is additional mathematic class. Slyvia feel blur when teacher is
teaching, maybe she weak in mathematic I am not sure because
this is the first day I know her. After the class finish, she still suffer
with the example that teacher explain just now. Sly Slyvia
Need my help? I ask her. I try explaining to her about the example.
Not only that, have show some extra examples to her to help in
understand the topic. After that, our relation becomes closer.
On the other hand, the boy who I familiar he always borrow notes
from me. I will also say okay to him. Although I know he didnt
play attention in class and sometimes sleep in class but I choose to
borrow my notes to him. Not only that, I will remind him to submit
homework. Wake up Sumyik teacher asking you question
Economy teacher ask him question. Of cause, he cannot answer it
because he sleeps in class. He stands up and looks at teacher with
his blur face. I pass a small piece of paper to him. I write the
answer in the paper. After he answers the question, he looks at me. I
just smile with him and continue to do my work. I ask my self, why
do I help him? I should let teacher scold him because he didnt play
attention in class. But why I choose to help him? Maybe because he
is the one who I familiar with and I just want to confirm that he can
still remember who am I?

Ring
He walk through and say : Hey, May Chen, How are you?
You remember me?
Of cause, you study in same primary school and you are my
classmate, right?
I just smile with him.
Thank you he say that. After that, we have become friends or
maybe become a close friend.
I borrow my notes to him slowly become a habits. He is lazy but not
stupid. He always get the higher mark in additional mathematic and
account. When I faced difficult question in Add Math, he will come to
me. He knows me very well. He wouldnt help me to solve the
question but he will explain the question. He will let me get the final
answer because he know that I enjoy and I like the process when
solve the question though my self. I borrow my notes to him and he
teaching me when I faced difficult question. This relation makes us
become closer.
We have same class for those 2 years. Finally, we have graduated
together. Before the night of graduation, I call him.
Hey, tomorrow is graduation, dont over sleep. We have many
tasks need to prepare early in the morning.
Okay. I am going to sleep now.
Good night.
Erm wait I have something to tell you.. I is okay.. I will tell u
tomorrow if you help me to take my graduation gown. You know I
dont like to line up in the long queue. Thank you. Good night.
Doo...doo
The next morning I really to help him take his graduation gown and
he didnt tell me anything. When the graduation party almost end,
all of us have to stand up and sing our anthem together because it
will be the last time we sing it together. The music is start.
Suddenly, he stays near to me ear and say: I love u.
At the end, we become a couple until now.
The prosaically behavior in my case is egoistic model or altruistic
model? I think is more to egoistic model. The evolution factor is
reciprocal altruism. For example, when I help Slyvia I will feel that
this action will increase the like hood from her and it will give a good

impression to her. In the same way, I choose to borrow my notes to

Sumyik, maybe I want to get a like hood from him as well or maybe I
just want get attention from him. Who knows he has a good
impression towards and me wants to be friend with me.

Entry 5
26/11/2015
9.30pm

Sociocultural perspective

The work of sociocultural theory is to explain how individual mental

functioning is related to cultural, institutional, and historical context;
hence, the focus of the sociocultural perspective is on the roles that
participation in social interactions and culturally organized activities
play in influencing psychological development. This theory have
integrated with my own personal experiences. I though that table
manner is a must to apply in dinning table but not every one have
the same concept with me.
When I was a child, my father teaches me how to use a chopstick to
eat. It is not easy to use it. I wonder how china man can invent to
use two sticks to finish their dish. We use a spoon, a pair of
chopstick and a small bowl to eat. The small bowl will contain full of
rice. I still remember I get scold from my mother when I didnt full
up the bowl with rice. Not only that, when I eat with one hand, my
mother will bit my another hand and say : Use your right have to
hold your chopsticks and use your left hand to hold your bowl.
Even though, our kitchen have fork but we never use it even we are
eating noodle. When we using a bowl to eat, we only can use
chopstick and spoon. However, we using a plate to eat, we will use
fork and spoon. I always think this is Chinese culture. Every Chinese
family will use the same way and follow the dinning manner to
having their lunch and dinner. Yet, when I went to my friend house, I
find that not every Chinese will do this.
We have form a study group. I went to my friends home and study
together. The interior design of the house is so Chinese style. All of
the furniture is made by wood and the Chinese style engraving on
his pillar is really attract me. I feel excited because I can study
under this kind of environment.
It is time for dinner. His mum has prepared our dinner. When I look
at the dinning table, the bowls are not fill with rice and it is empty. If
this happen in my house my mother will scold me. Yet, aunty is
siting down and eats with us. She said: You can fill your rice by
your self, is over there. she points to the rice cooker. I fill up my rice
and sit down. I saw my friend eat with one hand. I look at aunty, her
face didnt show any anger, and she continues to enjoy her dish. I
wonder why I will get scold with my mum when I doing this in my
house. I thought using one hand to eat is wrong. Not only that, he is
using bowl with fork. It will never happen in my house because it is
wrong. In my friend house, there are not thing wrong with it. They
can use one hand to eat. They can use a bowl with a fork.

In this case, what I understand about sociocultural perspective is

that culture that is practiced at home is not necessary wrong when
it is practiced outside from home. For example, since Im born in a
Chinese family, we are not allowed to use spoon and fork while
dinning and it is a must to use chopsticks. But this culture is only
practiced in my own family only, when I am dinning outside with
friends, using a fork and spoon to eat is totally fine. The above
statement basically sums up what sociocultural perspective means.