Is there a conflict with sociological theory and self-actualization?

[Simon Håkansson]

I have encountered a lot of confusion over the years regarding sociology, it feels like certain aspects of self-actualization stands in direct conflict with sociological theory and some psychological theories.

For example, let's take the confirmation bias. Psychological theory explains how this mechanism works perfectly well, but what is it that makes people get away from the bias?

Another example: The need to conform to a group, I have heard sociological teachers saying that "we want" to conform to a group and that "we don´t want" to be felt like we are outsiders. We "are" constantly trying to fit in. Is it possible to transcend that need completely? What do sociologists really mean when they say that "we want" to fit in? That our psyche is doomed to work that way? Would sociological theory collapse if it was possible to transcend all the need for approval, status, conformity, certainty (in our beliefs) and everything that is related to our social identity? Is the entire field of sociology based on humans being neurotic? 

I sometimes get a strange feeling when I´m studying subjects like biology, sociology and certain parts of psychology. I feel scared when people say that I "am" a certain way. If there are aspects of our human nature that cannot be transcended, what is self-actualization all about? The fear of not being able to change and being "doomed" to be a certain way has been in my awareness for quite a while now. How do I best cope with that fear? (This fear obviously affects how I look at things like determinism, sociology and biology)

[Aquarius]

Humanistic Sciences are weird sometimes. Don't take everything you read or hear as written in stone. Even my psychiatrist uncle says that science is sometimes bullshit, especially the research field. 

I heard something once that blue eyed men don't tend to feel attracted toward brown eyed women. That was a biological proven scientific article, yeah. And guess what?? I had 2 boyfriends with blue eyes, 1 with green and the one I am dating right now has blue eyes. And he said I am beautiful. Soooo...????

Ignore science, focus on direct experience. 

About the being part of a group... that is psychology of teens.. of belonging or standing out. I think it is also in the Love, or Esteem Need of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It's important to take a realistic approach on it, not an overly analytical, ISTP-type view. Open up to higher consciousness and see the world through loving eyes, instead of cold hard facts. There are certain things that science doesn't explain. 

Edited November 9, 2019 by Aquarius
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