Approximate reading time: 5 minutes

Siddharth is a psychology student with a curious mind and a warm heart. He lives in student housing on a floor with 20 students, all with diverse personalities and backgrounds. Each student has their own room, sharing a centralised kitchen and lounge area. Siddharth, naturally outgoing, hopes to make many friends at university. The students are surprisingly quiet, however, each in their own room either studying or playing video games. He hardly ever sees his dorm mates for more than a few minutes when they come and go to classes.

Siddharth not only has an interest in psychology, he also loves baking, a skill he learned from his father, a baker renowned for his international breads and sweets. Siddharth wonders if he can use his baking superpowers and his love for socialising to grow a friendly community on his floor. This is the story of how Siddharth’s oven, a dash of creativity, and various psychological methods of inquiry turn a group of strangers into a close-knit family.

To get a sense of what is needed to create a friendly community, Siddharth looks at the problem with different methods of inquiry.

Collaborative and Inclusive Approaches

Siddharth initiates his project by inviting his dorm mates to a meeting to discuss his baking for friends idea. He encourages them to share their thoughts and suggestions, making them active participants in the discussion.

Case Studies

He then focuses on observing individual reactions to different baked goods, like Emma’s love for cinnamon buns and Mike’s preference for dinner rolls.

Observational Studies

On baking days, Siddharth discreetly watches his dorm mates’ reactions, noting how different aromas bring people together.

Surveys and Questionnaires

He creates a survey to gather broader input on their favourite baked items, finding a universal preference for chocolate chip cookies.

Interviews

Siddharth has one-on-one chats with his dorm mates, learning about their personal preferences and memories associated with different baked goods.

Ethnography

He immerses himself in the dorm culture, participating in and observing daily routines and interactions.

Qualitative Analysis

Siddharth thinks about the conversations and comments made during his baking experiments, uncovering stories about family traditions and childhood memories.

Longitudinal Studies

Over the first few weeks, he observes how relationships in the dorm evolve, noting an increase in friendliness and spontaneous gatherings.

Cross-Cultural Studies

With his dorm’s cultural diversity, Siddharth calls his father and asks for some recipes for some of the famous treats from different cultures. This addition of international treats fosters a sense of diversity and inclusion.

Experimental Methods

He tries baking at different times and days to see which generates the most communal response.

Psychobiological Methods

Siddharth reads in his psychology textbook about how certain smells can trigger positive emotional responses. He decides to focus on creating baked goods with three classic bakery smells. Siddharth observes a remarkable reaction from his floor mates to the comforting scent of like naan, the inviting aroma of cinnamon in cinnamon rolls, and the irresistible allure of chocolate in freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. Siddharth becomes fascinated by the ability of these scents to not only draw people into the kitchen but also encourage them to linger in the lounge, engaging in conversations. These conversations become the start of friendships. The yummy smells wafting from his baking sessions seem to magically increase happiness and conversation, coaxing even the most shy students out of their rooms and into the lounge to join in the fun.

Through this integrated approach, Siddharth not only learns about dorm mates but also succeeds in creating a warm, friendly environment in his dorm. His project demonstrates the power of psychology in understanding and influencing social dynamics.

As the semester unfolds, Siddharth’s baking experiment transforms the dorm’s atmosphere. The corridors, once silent, now echo with laughter and chatter. The aroma of freshly baked goods becomes a symbol of friendship and warmth. Siddharth’s approach, a blend of various psychological methods, creates a living example of how careful observations and well planned methods can lead to positive change. His success lies not just in the delicious treats he bakes but in his ability to observe, engage and connect with his dorm mates on a deeper level. This is psychology in action — real, impactful — and delicious!