Complete the Case Summary Worksheet media. Use the information from the completed media to help guide you in completing the assignment. You can transfer your output to the assignment template.
Once you’ve completed the interactive media piece, use the template to write your paper and submit it in the Week 3 Assignment 1 area. In your paper, complete the following:
Summarize the case study.
Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to a particular theory.
Apply a social psychological theory to a chosen case study.
Explain how social psychological research studies relate to a particular social psychological theory.
Apply an ethical reasoning concept to a chosen case study.
Apply a critical thinking concept to a chosen case study.
Address the appropriate audience and use discipline-specific language.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Case Study
Introduction
In the age of technological advancements, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, its impact on mental health has been a topic of concern and debate. This case study explores the relationship between social media usage and mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. By examining credible and scholarly sources, applying social psychological theories, and analyzing research studies, we aim to gain a better understanding of this complex phenomenon.
Case Study Summary
The case study focuses on Sarah, a 25-year-old woman who spends an average of 4 hours per day on social media platforms. Sarah has been experiencing symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and social isolation. She attributes these negative emotions to her constant exposure to curated and idealized versions of others’ lives on social media. Sarah finds herself comparing her own life to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed online, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.
Credible and Scholarly Sources
To explore the impact of social media on mental health, it is important to consult credible and scholarly sources. These sources provide evidence-based research, ensuring the validity and reliability of the information. Some relevant sources include:
American Psychological Association (APA): This reputable organization publishes journals and articles that examine various aspects of mental health and psychology. Their research often includes studies related to social media’s impact on mental well-being.
Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: This peer-reviewed journal focuses on the intersection between social psychology and clinical psychology. It frequently publishes articles exploring the effects of social media on mental health outcomes.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): As a leading government organization in mental health research, the NIMH conducts studies and provides valuable insights into the relationship between social media use and psychological well-being.
Application of Social Psychological Theory
One relevant social psychological theory that can be applied to Sarah’s case study is the Social Comparison Theory. This theory suggests that individuals tend to evaluate their own abilities, opinions, and qualities by comparing themselves to others. In the context of social media, individuals like Sarah may engage in upward social comparisons, where they compare themselves to others they perceive as more successful or happier. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and negatively impact self-esteem and mental health.
Relationship between Research Studies and Social Psychological Theory
Several research studies have examined the connection between social media usage and mental health outcomes, providing support for the Social Comparison Theory. For example, Kross et al. (2013) found that increased Facebook usage was associated with declines in subjective well-being and life satisfaction. This finding aligns with the idea that constant exposure to others’ seemingly perfect lives on social media can lead to negative self-evaluations and dissatisfaction.
Additionally, Verduyn et al. (2015) conducted a study showing that passive Facebook usage (scrolling without actively engaging) resulted in decreased mood and overall well-being. This study supports the notion that constant exposure to others’ highlight reels can lead to detrimental effects on mental health.
Application of Ethical Reasoning Concept
When discussing the impact of social media on mental health, it is crucial to consider ethical implications. One ethical reasoning concept relevant to this case study is privacy and consent. Social media platforms often collect vast amounts of personal data from users without explicit consent or knowledge. This raises concerns about privacy violations and potential misuse of personal information for targeted advertising or psychological manipulation.
Application of Critical Thinking Concept
Critical thinking plays a pivotal role in analyzing the impact of social media on mental health. One critical thinking concept applicable to this case study is evaluating sources of information. With the abundance of information available online, it is essential to critically evaluate sources for bias, credibility, and relevance. By applying critical thinking skills, individuals like Sarah can discern reliable information from misinformation or sensationalized claims.
Conclusion
The case study highlights the potential negative impact of social media usage on mental health, as experienced by Sarah. Through the application of social psychological theories, analysis of research studies, consideration of ethical reasoning concepts, and utilization of critical thinking skills, we gain valuable insights into this complex phenomenon. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential consequences of excessive social media use and strive for a healthy balance between online engagement and overall well-being.
