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SURVIVE THE DOME
SURVIVE THE DOME
We care about people impacted by the dome as it is an inescapable dystopia where ain residents have no control over their future and have no voice in their own lives and city . Certain groups of people, at no fault of their own, are discriminated against and need assistance in a making for from everyone.
Our novel focuses on how the Dome brought a sense of isolation to the people living in it. We want to compare the P1 data to the YA novel story, so we can explore why people feel a sense of isolation, and how that feeling affects individuals.
We will also look into the loss of belonging in the book compared to how interviewees found a sense of belonging in Survive the Dome and P1 data suggest that CMU could do better at promoting inclusion and increasing diversity amongst its students by creating more clubs, holding more events, and admitting a more diverse array of students.
What Is Belonging?
Belonging Through a Social Science and Psychology Perspective
Fundamental human need:
Belonging is considered a fundamental human need, alongside other basic needs such as food, shelter, safety, and love. Belonging satisfies our need for social connection, acceptance, and validation, and it has significant psychological and emotional implications for individuals.
After looking at the data from Project 1, we can see that interviewees typically described having a sense of belonging as critical to having a pleasant and healthy college environment.
Social identity:
Belonging often involves the formation of social identity, which is the sense of self that is derived from membership in a particular group, community, culture, or identity. Social identity can be based on various factors, such as race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, interests, or affiliations.
In the context of CMU life, students may create their social identity through their involvement in student organizations, clubs, or sports teams. These activities can provide opportunities for students to connect with others who share similar interests and values, leading to a sense of community and shared identity.
Emotional significance:
Belonging has significant emotional implications for individuals. It can provide a sense of security, support, and comfort, as well as foster positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and fulfillment. On the other hand, the absence or rejection of belonging can lead to negative emotions such as loneliness, social isolation, and distress. The emotional significance of belonging can influence individuals' thoughts, behaviors, and well-being.
The novel "Survive The Dome" our group explored is a dystopian novel, which created a negative emotional experience for characters by portraying oppressive, conformist, and violent societies that can reduce a character's sense of belonging. By creating a world in which characters feel powerless, isolated, and afraid, Survive The Dome highlighted the importance of positive emotional significance in creating a sense of belonging and well-being.
Social bonds and relationships:
Belonging often involves the formation of social bonds and relationships with others. These relationships can provide social support, companionship, and shared experiences, which contribute to individuals' sense of belongingness. Social bonds can be formed through various forms of social interaction, such as friendships, romantic relationships, familial relationships, and community connections.
From Project 1 data, we can see that many CMU students gain social bonds by joining clubs and organizations, attending social events, participating in group activities, connecting with classmates, use social media. By using these strategies, CMU students can create social bonds and form relationships that provide a sense of belonging and community.
Influence and Impact on Individuals
Influence on behavior:
Belonging can influence individuals' thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. It can shape our beliefs, values, and behaviors to align with those of the social groups we belong to, as we seek to conform and be accepted by our social environment. Belonging can also impact our decision-making, motivation, and self-concept. The need for belonging can lead individuals to seek out social interactions, engage in group activities, and participate in social norms and rituals.
Impact on well-being:
Belonging is closely linked to psychological well-being. When individuals feel a sense of belongingness, it can contribute to positive mental health outcomes, such as increased self-esteem, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. On the other hand, the lack of belonging or social isolation can have negative effects on mental health, including increased risk of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.
Cultural and contextual factors:
The psychology of belonging is also influenced by cultural and contextual factors. Different cultures and societies may have different norms, values, and expectations related to belongingness, and individuals' sense of belonging may be influenced by these cultural factors. Contextual factors, such as the physical environment, social context, and social dynamics, can also impact individuals' perception of belongingness and their behaviors related to belonging.
Project 1 Interview
In the graph to the left, CMU enrollment for 2021 is pictures with a clear lack of African American enrollment when compared to other ethnicities. With a clear lack of equal diversity it can be hard for students to find belonging when they are searching for people similar to them culturally or ethnically.
The graph on the right shows the undergraduate African American enrollment of top universities. While most schools could improve this number, they are all still outperforming CMU by a large margin. CMU has had this low percentage of enrollment for African Americans, and has failed to fix it while other universities are slowly fixing this issue. CMU is contributing to this invisible dome against African American students.
The graph to the left shows that CMU's African American undergraduate enrollment has barley increased of the course of 36 years. In recent years as well the change has been negative showing no improvement of this invisible dome holding back African Americans. CMU's total undergraduate enrollment is 7,365 as of 2022, so how can a group that makes up nearly 14% of the population only make up around 300 undergraduate students. That is only 4% which can make it hard for these students to find belonging with people within their race.
Belonging in the Eyes of Students
What can CMU do to Increase Belonging?
Admit a more diverse array of students
Hold more events similar to carnival to help students find groups they align with
Work with students from lesser represented groups to help them find belonging
Admit a diverse array of students for all majors not just university wide
Fund other initiatives to increase belonging of students
Hold more dorm events to allow people to meet with people on their floor
Create more time into the semester for social activites
Works Cited
https://www.cmu.edu/diversity/commitment-and-progress/demographics-and-metrics.html
Project 1 Data
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497-529.
Jetten, J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, S. A. (2012). The case for a social identity analysis of health and well-being. In S. A. Haslam, J. Jetten, C. Haslam, & L. D. Steffens (Eds.), The social cure: Identity, health and well-being (pp. 1-18). New York: Psychology Press.
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396.
McAdams, D. P. (1996). Personality, modernity, and the storied self: A contemporary framework for studying persons. Psychological Inquiry, 7(4), 295-321.
Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2007). A question of belonging: Race, social fit, and achievement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(1), 82-96.
Williams, K. D., & Sommer, K. L. (1997). Social ostracism by coworkers: Does rejection lead to loafing or compensation? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(7), 693-706.
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