Chapters and Weekly Work

Chapter 1: What is Social Psychology?

After beginning with a brief introduction to the term “social psychology,” in which the author uses several examples that might be seen in real life, this chapter briefly touches on complex concepts that will be reviewed thoroughly throughout the book. These concepts include things like prejudice, gender roles, violence and aggressive behaviors, discrimination, and interpersonal attraction and romance. The reader is presented with the idea that people are often influenced by those around them (social influence) and that we often fail to recognize the limitations of our vision until after an event has taken place (the hindsight bias). Aronson briefly introduces the concept of situational variables and suggests that individuals often behave differently when they are placed in different contexts or settings. Social psychological research is given an introduction, as well as distinguishing between the “layperson” and the “expert” when it comes to making scientific observations. The chapter concludes with the first of dozens of discussions of important research in the field of social psychology, in this case reviewing the classic “prison experiment” of Philip Zimbardo.

Assignment:

Read Chapter one and/or Read Lecture material

Watch this video and answer Blog on website

Take Quiz One.

Chapter 2: Conformity

Conformity is a complex and contradictory concept in social psychology. Why do ordinary people choose to “follow the crowd” in so many situations, despite the emphasis on individuality in our culture? Several concepts are defined and explored in this chapter, including the possible motivations for conformity (such as the desire to be accepted) and the three types of responses to social influence, their dynamics and their varying permanence. Other factors related to conformity are also discussed, including situational variables (e.g., group features, accountability) and individual variables (e.g., self-esteem, personality characteristics). This chapter presents a number of important and interesting research studies. Among them are Asch's studies of conformity, where participants agreed to incorrect line lengths in order to comply with other group members, and Milgram's famous studies on obedience, where volunteers administered punishments to others when commanded to by an authority figure. Also presented are studies of when and why people help others in an emergency. The discussion of these studies focuses on factors that influence such conformity-related behaviors. The chapter discusses the implications of these concepts and research studies for our understanding of human behavior in groups.

Assignment:

Read Chapter two and/or Read Lecture material

Watch this video and answer Blog on website

Take Quiz Two.

Chapter 3: Mass Communication, Propaganda, and Persuasion

Most people think they are immune to persuasion, especially the most blatant attempts. This chapter explores the conditions under which the average person is susceptible to persuasion and presents many examples of the implications of various persuasive techniques. The three key factors of persuasion are examined--the characteristics of the communicator (attractiveness, expertise, trustworthiness and sincerity, a lack of ulterior motive), the nature of the communication (central versus peripheral rout messages, logical versus emotional appeals, the use of fear), and the characteristics of the audience (informed versus uninformed listeners, self-esteem, prior experience). Illustrations from political advertising and television are explored and a number of interesting research studies presented. The chapter also includes a brief discussion of what constitutes propaganda.

Assignment:

Read Chapter three and/or Read Lecture material

Watch this video and answer Blog on website

Take Quiz Three.

Chapter 4: Social Cognition

Cognitive psychology examines the way our thinking influences our interactions with the world. Human beings are not as thorough or rational in our thinking as we might suppose. Human cognition is also conservative--we go to great efforts to maintain the beliefs and perceptions that we already have, sometimes to the point where we will distort or even ignore evidence that contradicts our beliefs. This chapter presents many of these tendencies and the research that has demonstrated them. The chapter also discusses the value and the cost that these tendencies have for ourselves and others. The chapter also discusses the reconstructive process of memory--the way that human beings filter bits of information through our beliefs about what should have happened and what might have happened. Recovered memories and the current scientific beliefs about these types of memories are also presented, as well as classic research into the fallibility of memory and eyewitness testimony. Further, the chapter discusses three commonly seen attributional biases – the fundamental attribution error, the actor-observer bias, and the self-biases – that represent conservative cognitive attempts to make sense of our surroundings even when adequate evidence for such conclusions is lacking.

Assignment:

Read Chapter four and/or Read Lecture material

Take Quiz Four.

Chapter 5: Self-Justification

Although human beings are capable of rational behavior, many of our actions seem to defy rational explanation because people are motivated to justify their ideas, actions, beliefs, and feelings. The theory of cognitive dissonance often permits researchers to predict irrational behavior and explain the reasons for its occurrence. This powerful theory of human motivation has been used to explain how we justify things to ourselves and others and why we change our beliefs and attitudes. This chapter explores the theory of cognitive dissonance and describes how it accounts for many seemingly irrational aspects of human thinking. In the context of cognitive dissonance, the chapter examines decision-making, moral behavior, and cruelty. The role of external and internal justifications is discussed as well as how self-esteem impacts the justification process. Many research studies applying the principles of cognitive dissonance are presented as well as some practical applications of the theory.

Assignment:

Read Chapter five and/or Read Lecture material  

No quiz or blog

This information will be useful in future quizes and blogs.

Chapter 6: Human Aggression

Do human beings have an inborn tendency to be aggressive, or is aggression a learned behavior? There is no single answer to this question, but this chapter explores the ideas of many philosophers, psychologists, and researchers who have considered the issue. Though many view aggressive behaviors as being maladaptive and problematic for human beings, this chapter considers the useful or adaptive qualities of aggression amidst the backdrop of societal changes. The concept of catharsis is explored as well as the various causes of aggression, including what appears to be its major source, frustration. Learned aspects of aggression are examined, especially the impact of watching violence portrayed on television. The final section of the chapter presents ways to reduce violence, including effective and ineffective forms of punishment and, most importantly, the development of empathy as an alternative.

Assignment:

Read Chapter six and/or Read Lecture material

Watch this video and answer Blog on website

Take Quiz Six.

Chapter 7: Prejudice

This chapter explores many aspects of this important concept. Definitions of relevant terms such as "stereotype" are presented. The dynamics of sexism and racism are examined, and many research studies on these topics are considered. The persistent nature of stereotypes and prejudice are noted, as well as the far-reaching implications of these often faulty thought processes. The role of the media in perpetuating prejudice is also examined. The five basic causes of prejudice are explored--economic and political competition or conflict, displaced aggression, maintenance of status or self-image, dispositional prejudice (prejudiced personality), and conformity to existing social norms. The chapter also includes a discussion of desegregation, including factors that promote or detract from a smoother transition from segregation to desegregation. Several mechanisms for reducing prejudice are discussed, including equal--status contact and cooperative (interdependent) interaction.

Assignment:

Read Chapter seven and/or Read Lecture material  

Go to the website http://www.understandingprejudice.org/  The class is social psychology S09 and the Class ID is steelers.  Watch the Slide Tour of Prejudice and answer Blog on website

 Chapter 8: Liking, Loving, and Interpersonal Sensitivity

Interpersonal attraction, whether social or romantic in nature, is one of the defining characteristics of the human species. While other animals demonstrate the ability to form social bonds, there is no evidence that the complexity of interpersonal relationships seen in the human being is replicated in any other species. This chapter explores what attracts people – either socially or romantically – to others, and presents several theories that attempt to answer this question. Some research has shown that our beliefs about what makes us like others are accurate, such as the popular belief that we like people who are physically attractive, interpersonally pleasant, cooperative, and helpful. But the research has also indicated that our notions about what increases our liking of other people are not always correct. The chapter also explores some key aspects of different types of love relationships and the important role of effective communication in maintaining close personal relationships over time.

Assignment - Please send me an email assessing the book, quizes, and blogs.  This is to make the next class better - thank you for your feedback.

No quiz or blog.