Social psychology is the scientific study of how we feel about, think about and
behave toward the people around us (Jhangiani, 2014). If we do not have faith
that all people have the ability to impact the world then, we are promoting
biases which may lead to negative attitudes and persuasions. This situation has
the potential to result in loss of trust, increased aggression, breakdown in
communication, and challenges with toxic leadership. As daunting yet familiar
as this situation may sound, we do have the ability to halt and possibly, in
time, reverse the downward spiral with care and consideration regarding the
actual problem.
“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say
unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in
the sea; and it should obey you” (King James Version, 2022, Luke 17:6). Jesus
used the analogy of believing in a mustard seed as a demonstration of the
power held within the object of our faith. The mustard seed is known to be
one of the smallest seeds in the world, but it has the potential to develop into
a tree which can be 20 feet high and almost as wide as it is tall. Jesus may
have been standing next to a live mustard tree and handed out the tiny
mustard seeds as a demonstration of faith. Showing that having faith in
something so small such as a seed, child, twig, or even a word can develop
and expand or to wither and rot depending on the environment it is placed in
and how it is tended. Regardless of environment, we know that some will
always prevail through adversity but with faith and love even more will have
this chance to grow, succeed, and promote success throughout the world.
In my class, the teaching method I am promoting is use of visual aids such as
physical or photographic artifacts and accessing a wide variety of interactive
network resources (James et al., 2015). e While I do not have a mustard tree,
mustard seeds are tiny and plentiful. Today, technology is also a wonderful
tool. Using a combination of YouTube videos, photos, and the physical mustard
seeds, I would show the progression of growth, from a seed, to tree, followed
by photos of fully developed mustard trees and finally a class discuss
regarding the byproducts of the mustard tree as almost every aspect of the
tree is useful if cared for properly.
In our society, it is easy to overlook, downplay or blatantly disregard the
importance of everyday interactions. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of
your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it
shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (King James Version,
2022, Matthew 17:20). However, that plant you did not want to tend could
provide you with the sustenance your family needs when the cost of food
increases due to unexpected drought or war. That child who was always
causing problems at the playground or in class might grow to be the manager
or owner of an organization where you or someone within your family is
seeking employment. If you planted, tended, and cared for that seed or child
they may remember it in the most unexpected way. A drop of water at just the
right time or words of encouragement instead of frustration and anger could be
the difference between success and failure. Just like the mustard seed, with
care we can prevail.
The social psychology surrounding every interaction has the potential to leave
long lasting impressions on the world. One person in a small village located in
the backwoods of a large country could hear an interview of a prominent
individual encouraging people to set goals, believe in themselves, and never
give up on their dreams. At the same time, they may also hear encouragement
to help their neighbor. While believing in themselves and helping others through
their trials and tribulations together they both may find it easier to succeed. My
questions to you are as follows: Can you think of a time when you helped
someone strictly because you wanted to help? If so, do you know how that
person is doing today and did your faith, time, effort, energy, or words of
encouragement affect their lives in the way you imagined? Did the situation
ultimately impact your life as well?
References:
Glenn, J., Martinez, E., & Herbers, S. (2015). What Can Jesus Teach Us About
Student
Engagement? Journal of Catholic Education, 19(1), 129-154.
https://doi.org/10.15365/joce.1901062015
Jhangiani, R., Tarry, H., & Stangor, C. (2022). Principles of social psychology (1st
international
H5P edition). BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/ Links to an
external site.
King James Bible. (2022). King James Bible Online.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
