Select credible and scholarly sources in the field of social psychology using information literacy and research skills.
Write a 3–4 page assessment in which you examine scholarly research articles about a chosen theory or concept, describe the theory or concept in terms of your own experience, and explain how the theory or concept increases awareness of social perception, social interaction, or social influence.Our social world places many demands on us. What happens when people are placed in an emergency situation where no one seems to be responding? What do young children do when they must choose whether to eat one cookie now or two cookies if they wait longer? What do people do when they work on a team comprised of strangers who increasingly produce clearly wrong answers?SHOW LESSThese are the types of questions that social psychologists seek to answer. Social psychology is a branch of psychology that seeks a broad understanding of how human beings think, act, and feel within a social context. Social psychologists look at biological, physiological, individual, and contextual factors that influence emotions, thoughts, and behavioral actions. Since people often do not behave in ways that are consistent with their own perceptions of themselves, research is a key part of what social psychologists use to determine how social influences change human behavior.By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 1: Select credible and scholarly sources in the field of social psychology using information literacy and research skills.
Use valid, scholarly research resources relevant to the field of social psychology.
Competency 2: Apply social psychological theory to topics in the field.
Explain a theory or concept of social psychology.
Describe how a theory or concept is evident in real-life situations.
Competency 3: Apply social psychological research to topics in the field.
Describe the purpose of research conducted in social psychology.
Describe research methods used to examine a theory or concept related to social psychology.
Explain research findings pertaining to a theory or concept related to social psychology.
Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
Use APA format and style.
Competency Map
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RESOURCES
BACKGROUND
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 1, “The Mission and the Method,” pages 1–33, addresses some of the theories, purposes, and research designs in social psychology.
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARLY RESEARCH
Ifinedo, P. (2016). Applying uses and gratifications theory and social influence processes to understand students’ pervasive adoption of social networking sites: Perspectives from the Americas. International Journal of Information Management, 36, 192–206.
This article reports on theories of how students adopt their preferred social networking sites.
Yang, R., Cui, L., Li, F., Xiao, J., Zang, Q., & Oei, T. P. S. (2017). Effects of cognitive bias modification training via smartphones. Frontiers in Psychology. Retrieved from https://doaj.org/article/
This article reveals how cognitive bias modification training focused on interpretations and delivered via smartphones can be effective.
SOCIAL PERCEPTION RESEARCH AND THEORY
Social perception refers to the process of forming impressions of others, attribution theory, and associations.
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 5, “Social Cognition,” pages 147–184, addresses social cognition (thinking about people) and the influence of attributions, heuristics, and cognitive biases.
SOCIAL INTERACTION RESEARCH AND THEORY
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 9, “Prosocial Behavior,” pages 291–330.
Chapter 10, “Aggression and Antisocial Behavior,” pages 331–370.
Chapter 11, “Interpersonal Attraction and Rejection,” pages 371–402.
Chapter 12, “Close Relationships,” pages 403–446.
Chapter 13, “Prejudice and Intergroup Relations,” pages 447–490.
Chapter 14, “Groups,” pages 491–534.
SOCIAL INFLUENCE RESEARCH AND THEORY
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Available in the courseroom via the VitalSource Bookshelf link.
Chapter 8, “Social Influence and Persuasion,” pages 257–290.
LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDE
You need to find other resources to prepare for this assessment, and you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide can help direct your research.
ASSSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARATION
Select one of the social psychology theories or concepts of interest to you from the list below:
Self-perception theory.
Agent self.
Appraisal motive and self-enhancement motive.
Self-handicapping.
Self-serving bias.
Over-justification effect.
Confirmation bias.
Actor-observer bias.
False consensus effect and false uniqueness effect.
Theory perseverance.
Once you have selected your theory or concept, search in the Capella library to locate two scholarly research articles on the theory or concept.
INSTRUCTIONS
Use these articles to complete the following:
Explain the theory or concept you selected.
Describe the purpose of the study.
Describe the research methods used in each of the studies.
Explain the research findings for each study.
Describe how you have personally observed the theory or concept in practice.
Explain how the theory or concept, along with the research findings, increases awareness of social perception, social interaction, or social influence.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines.
Resources: Minimum of 2–3 scholarly or professional resources. You are not required to use resources other than the two articles your assessment is based on; however, you may do so if you wish.
Length: 3–4 double-spaced pages, in addition to the title page and reference page.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
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Answer preview Select credible and scholarly sources in the field of social psychology using information literacy and research skills.
APA
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