Copy of Reflection paper
.docx
School
John Burroughs High School**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ENGLISH 114
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 17, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by PrivateStraw16066
Born a Crime: MaskingResearch ReflectionBriseis CoronaMy Research Topic on Masking and InspirationMy research topic focuses on the concept of masking in Born a Crimeby Trevor Noah. I was inspired to write on this topic because of my interest in psychology. From the moment I read thisnovel masking was one of the first things I noticed. How individuals adapt to their environments to navigate complex social situations has always been fascinating to me so I thought I could hit two birds with one stone with this project. Noah’s experiences while growing up under the apartheid South Africa had allowed a different approach on how masking functions as a survival mechanism. With fighting stereotypes, racism, and trauma, Noahs ability to mask seemed to helphim many times and cope. My Research QuestionThere were many questions involved during my research, but commons ones were:1.How does Trevor Noah use humor as a form of masking in Born a Crime?2.What are the psychological and (if any) long term effects of masking?
Within these questions, I had hoped to learn more about the idea of masking in and how it was linked in Trevor Noah’s life. Along with the more in depth aspect and analysis of the psychological impact on masking.Important FindingsWhat had pointed out to me the most while researching I found out that Noah uses humor a numerous amount of times to mask. Whether it had to do with his emotional pain, cope with trauma, or especially even navigating his identity. For example, he describes using jokes to deflect attention when he felt out of place due to his mixed-race heritage (Noah 21). This aligns with My findings in the article "Why We Hide Behind Humor,". I also discovered that Noah’s ability to mask through humor and adaptability had allowed him to navigate with different racial and cultural groups during the apartheid. I would say that this definitely had answered my question about how and why Noah had used humor to mask and cope with his traumas.Most Interesting Research The most fascinating research came from the two articles; Lifeologie Counselingarticle, "Why We Hide Behind Humor"and “Autistic Masking: Understanding the Role of Camouflaging in Autism." Autism and Adulthood, vol. 2, no. 3. ‘Why We Hide Behind Humor” has highlighted how humor can serve as both a protective shield and a barrier to genuine emotion. While “Autistic Masking:Understanding the Role of Camouflaging in Autism” had allowed me to
realize how neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent people use masking to dissociate from situations or is a response to trauma. Research Process Reflection: What I learned/felt as I was Researching What I’ve Learned About ResearchThrough this process, I learned the importance of connecting different sources to build a real understanding of a certain topic. By combining Noah’s personal stories and experiences with my psychological research, I was able to gain a deeper appreciation for the roles between lived experiences and academic theories.Challenges and SolutionsOne challenge I faced many times was narrowing down reliable sources. Trying to use the SFSU Library to find recent information on such a new topic was definitely hard to come by. Because I
either found articles that were either too general or too out of date to cite. But by continuing and perceiving at some point using the SFSU library’s I was able to find the right articles I needed. Also staying on task was a bit of a challenge but with the right motivation and being able to pick a topic I was already interested in helped me a lot with staying on task. Areas for BettermentI would state that while moving forward with researching, I would want to improve my ability to gather information from multiple sources. During college I have definitely grown more confident in locating credible research, although I do hit roadblocks at times. A way I plan to make these skills better is to continue research and to better use my resources such as the SFSU library advanced search to help me pinpoint exactly what I need for further research. I also would like to state that I know with more practice and time I will feel more confident in my research and credibility skills.