Consciousness and society are two interconnected entities that have fascinated thinkers, philosophers, and scientists for centuries. How does our consciousness shape the world around us, and how does society, in turn, influence our sense of self and awareness?
Let's unravel the connection between our mind and society with Dr. Suraj Sood and Goldi Negi from MedBound Times. Dr. Sooraj Sood has completed his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara (2010–14). He also has a Ph.D. in ‘consciousness and society' from the University of West Georgia, US (2015–21) and has devoted years of research exploring these concepts. He is currently working as a Behavior Interventionist at Autism Behavior Consultants.
Through a series of thought-provoking questions, we explore their insights on the interplay between our consciousness and our society. So, without further ado, let's dive into the interview and see what we can learn from their research and experiences!
Goldi Negi: Thank you for joining the interview, we are excited to have you with us, Doctor Sood! Can you tell us about what sparked your interest and how you pursued your passion for psychology?
Dr. Suraj Sood: No problem—great to be interviewing! I began studying psychology as a senior in high school. I found aspects of it, like memorization techniques, fascinating! Specifically about consciousness and society, I became interested in the former through existentialism. I was also interested in history when I started studying psychology, so perhaps my interest in society started there.
Existentialism is a movement of philosophy and literature that places a strong emphasis on the individual's freedom, choice, and responsibility. It is centered on the idea that people must create their own meaning in life, as opposed to relying on religious, moral, or societal structures. Existentialist thinkers often explore themes of human existence, anxiety, authenticity, and the search for purpose and meaning.
Goldi Negi: That is very fascinating. It seems like you have always been drawn to amazing subjects. Now, could you elaborate more on consciousness and society?
Dr. Suraj Sood: In the simplest words, consciousness is awareness; society is a group of individuals. When you put the two together, you get collective awareness, particularly as a function of societal forces like law and order, activists, religious groups, political parties, etc.
Goldi Negi: And how do you see the relationship between consciousness and society changing? What factors can positively and negatively influence them?
Dr. Suraj Sood: The relationship between individual consciousness and society is a dynamic interplay where societal changes can influence individual consciousness, and individual consciousness can inspire societal transformation.
When individuals start to notice a similar kind of pattern happening in society, they are more inclined to converge on it. This may lead to discussions or agreements on what could change or happen.
An example of this is science, where we notice individuals in different parts of the world arrive at similar conclusions, or in the case of rebellions as well, where multiple countries have uprisings at the same time, demonstrating a collective response to shared circumstances or aspirations.
And I think such cases show how inextricably entwined consciousness and society are. You can't have societal change without people becoming conscious of what needs to change, nor does consciousness can exist by itself.
As for the Positive influences on societal consciousness, it includes shared mission, values, and more; negative influences can include things like crime, prejudices, etc
Goldi Negi: It is indeed remarkable how societal consciousness is entwined and can drive significant shifts and movements. In your opinion, what factors contribute to the emergence of this collective consciousness?
Dr. Suraj Sood: Changes in the environment could lead to it. It is also possible that we ourselves change, and as we become more aware of it, we might realize that society has done so as well.
Family and culture are other factors that shape people's values. Education can add to what we grew up with, or it can equip us with tools to be more critical of the notions instilled in us earlier on. Culture is everywhere, even if it is not necessarily visible. I feel like these three things combine to form societal consciousness.
Goldi Negi: That's a really important point. In your research, apart from the influences we discussed, have you found any particular social structures or systems that have a particularly strong impact on the consciousness of society?
Dr. Suraj Sood: Politics and economy are some of the macro-structures that impact societal consciousness. In positive politics, people share awareness of issues and try to agree on solutions to them. Economics is about decision-making. It involves analyzing the costs and benefits of different choices and considering factors such as scarcity, incentives, and trade-offs. This is important on both small and large scales.
Goldi Negi: Seems like such systems also link to the historical rebellions you spoke of earlier. We can now see how important societal consciousness is, but are there ways where it can also prove to be harmful?
Dr. Suraj Sood: Groupthink is a case where individual freedom of thought is stifled, it refers to a phenomenon in which members of a group prioritize consensus and conformity over independent and critical thinking. This can lead to things like confirmation bias that stunts innovation.
If everyone thinks the same way, it could be hard to tackle new problems. Confirmation bias leads people to seek only evidence supporting their presuppositions, a logical fallacy.
Groupthink can arise when collective consciousness is prioritized over individual thought.
Goldi Negi: That way confirmation bias can also fester the growth of societal flaws such as prejudice, bigotry, racism, or more. Is that right?
Dr. Suraj Sood: That is correct, yes.
Goldi Negi: What is the role of social media and other forms of technology in impacting collective consciousness?
Dr. Suraj Sood: Social media is the ultimate representation of collective consciousness in current times! It is a global forum where people debate, share opinions, and post content for others to view, leading to the formation of new communities and the spread of awareness or rumors about various issues.
Goldi Negi: That's really interesting to know, especially because our lives are very dependent on digital platforms. Now, how can we as individuals, become more aware of the harmful impact of societal consciousness and work to shape our own consciousness in a positive way?
Dr. Suraj Sood: Well, we know the pitfalls of a stagnant collective consciousness. But it is also possible for consciousness to evolve. For this, it needs new experiences and fulfilling projects to engage with.
Practices like meditation have been shown to have lasting changes in people. I would also add yoga, which I've become more interested in lately. Such practices deepen consciousness, and are done around the world!
However, other things like art, technology, education, politics, and business are some of the other venues for positive change. Socializing in healthy, community-building ways is also vital.
Goldi Negi: Those are some great tips! Before we wrap up, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers regarding consciousness and society, or any final thoughts on the topic?
Dr. Suraj Sood: I've had the privilege of studying them together, and I hope others can do so as well. I recommend Deepak Chopra as a good resource for gaining a deeper inside into the subjects! Because consciousness and society will naturally continue to evolve as we humans do.
It is only right for us to try and develop a better understanding of it all.
Goldi Negi: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today, Dr. Suraj. Your insights on consciousness and society have been truly interesting, and I'm sure our readers will appreciate learning about them as much as I did. It's been a pleasure speaking with you!
Dr. Suraj Sood: Likewise! I wish your readers and you the best!
As we continue to navigate our rapidly changing world, understanding the relationship between consciousness and society will be vital for creating a better future for all.
This interview sheds light on the complex and intricate relationship between individual consciousness and societal awareness and how it is influenced by various factors. We hope this interview has been as informative and thought-provoking for you as it has been for us. Thank you for reading!