(Part - 2) - Psychology and Life Class 12 Psychology

Pro-environmental behaviour

Includes both actions that are meant to protect the environment from problems, and to promote a healthy environment.
Some promotive actions to protect the environment from pollution are:

• Reducing air pollution by keeping vehicles in good condition, or changing to non-fuel driven vehicles, stopping the practice of smoking.
• Reducing noise pollution (noise) by ensuring that noise levels are now. For example, discouraging needless honking on the road, or making rules regarding noisy music at certain hours.
• Managing disposal of garbage sensible. For example, by encouraging separation of biodegradable garbage from non-biodegradable waste, or composting of kitchen waste.
• Planting trees and ensuring their care, keeping in mind that those plants and trees should not be planted that have adverse health effects. Saying ‘no’ to plastic in any form, thus reducing toxic wastes that pollute water, air and the soil.
• Reducing the non-biodegradable packaging of consumer goods.
• Laws related to construction (especially in urban areas) that violates optimal environment design.
• Poverty and violence are two main problems in our society. Both of these phenomena have noticeable effects on the physical as well psychological health of people.
• Poverty is not nearly an economic problem. It has social, emotional, Psychological perspectives also.
• Violence is also not simply a question of breaking the law. It is related to societal conditions Psychological perspective and economic conditions also. Psychologists have actively exploring these issue to explain causes, consequences and strategies to deal with these phenomena effectively.

Poverty and Discrimination

• Poverty and discrimination are two critical issues that impact individuals, families, and societies. Poverty is defined as the lack of access to resources required for basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, while discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.
• Poverty and discrimination often go hand in hand. Discrimination can prevent individuals from accessing education, jobs, and other opportunities, which can lead to poverty. Similarly, poverty can exacerbate discrimination as individuals may be unable to access resources that would help them overcome discrimination.
• From a psychological perspective, poverty can have several negative impacts on individuals' mental health. Poverty can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness, which can impact an individual's cognitive and emotional development. Poverty can also impact an individual's self-esteem and sense of identity, leading to a lack of confidence and a feeling of helplessness.
• Discrimination can also have a negative impact on an individual's mental health. Discrimination can lead to feelings of anger, frustration, and sadness, which can impact an individual's self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Discrimination can also lead to internalized oppression, where an individual begins to believe the negative stereotypes and biases held against them, which can further impact their mental health.
• In conclusion, poverty and discrimination are two significant issues that impact individuals, families, and societies. Both poverty and discrimination can have negative impacts on an individual's mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. It is essential to address these issues to create a more just and equitable society that promotes well-being for all individuals.

Major Causes of Poverty:

Poverty is a complex issue that has multiple causes. From a psychological perspective, poverty can be caused by individual, social, and systemic factors. Here are some major causes of poverty:

• Individual factors: Certain individual factors, such as low education level, lack of job skills, and health problems, can contribute to poverty. These factors can limit an individual's ability to secure and maintain employment and generate income.
• Social factors: Social factors, such as discrimination, social exclusion, and family structure, can also contribute to poverty. Discrimination against certain groups can limit their access to education, employment, and other opportunities, leading to poverty. Social exclusion can also prevent individuals from accessing resources that can help them escape poverty. Family structure, such as single-parent households, can also be a risk factor for poverty.
• Systemic factors: Systemic factors, such as economic policies, political instability, and inadequate social safety nets, can also contribute to poverty. Economic policies that prioritize the interests of the wealthy can limit the economic opportunities available to low-income individuals. Political instability can also create economic uncertainty and hinder economic growth. Inadequate social safety nets, such as lack of access to healthcare, education, and housing assistance, can also contribute to poverty.
• Historical and geographical factors: Historical factors such as colonization, slavery, and war can lead to poverty by disrupting economies and social structures. Geographical factors such as natural disasters and climate change can also contribute to poverty by damaging infrastructure, disrupting agriculture, and increasing the cost of living.

In conclusion, poverty is a complex issue that has multiple causes. It is important to address these causes in order to create policies and programs that promote economic opportunities and social justice for all individuals.

Causes of Aggression:
 Aggression refers to any behavior that is intended to cause harm to others. The causes of aggression are multifaceted, and researchers have identified several factors that contribute to aggressive behavior. Here are some major causes of aggression:

• Biological factors: Biological factors such as genetics, hormones, and brain chemistry can contribute to aggression. Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to aggressive behavior, and hormonal imbalances such as high levels of testosterone have been linked to aggressive behavior. Certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, can also impact an individual's propensity towards aggression.
• Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as exposure to violence, parental neglect or abuse, and poverty can contribute to aggression. Exposure to violence, whether in the media or in real life, can desensitize individuals to aggressive behavior and increase the likelihood of them acting aggressively. Parental neglect or abuse can also impact an individual's social and emotional development, increasing the likelihood of aggressive behavior. Poverty can lead to frustration, anger, and feelings of hopelessness, which can contribute to aggressive behavior.
• Social factors: Social factors such as cultural norms, peer pressure, and socialization can also contribute to aggression. Cultural norms that valorize aggression or violence, for example, can make aggressive behavior more acceptable or even expected in certain situations. Peer pressure can also encourage aggressive behavior as individuals may feel pressure to conform to their peers' behavior. Socialization, particularly during childhood and adolescence, can also shape an individual's attitudes and behaviors towards aggression.
• Psychological factors: Psychological factors such as personality traits, self-esteem, and cognitive biases can also contribute to aggression. Certain personality traits, such as impulsivity and low empathy, have been linked to aggressive behavior. Low self-esteem can also contribute to aggressive behavior as individuals may feel the need to assert themselves or defend their self-worth. Cognitive biases, such as attribution bias or hostile attribution bias, can also lead individuals to interpret neutral or ambiguous situations as aggressive, leading to aggressive behavior.