PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology- Athabasca
U. EXAM UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
*UNIT 1*
What challenges does the application of social psychology face? - CORRECT ANSWER *The ultimate goal is to
effect positive change and improve the functioning of people.*
Interventions developed by applied social psychologists are value-laden in that the psychologists' values play a role in
determining what social and practical problems to address, including which people should be targeted for change and
what should constitute change. Thus, the goal of control through intervention is sometimes controversial.
There is also the struggle that all psychology faces in regards to being recognized as actual science.
Social psychology is the study of how individuals think, feel and behave in a social context. Social psychology seeks to
understand how people influence and relate to one another.
Studying subjective topics like this is difficult.
What are the core values of social psychology as a science? - CORRECT ANSWER - *Accuracy*: precise, error-
free measurement and collection of data.
-*Objectivity*: minimization of bias in data collection and testing
-*Skepticism*: refusing to believe findings and conclusions without vigorous verification.
-*Open-mindedness*: readiness to accept as valid evidence, that which may be inconsistent with one's initial, and perhaps
strongly held, beliefs or theories.
-*Ethics*: acceptance of the absolute importance of ethical behaviour in conducting research
A core assumption of social psych is the *behaviour of individuals is strongly influenced by the social context*
Describe the scientific process. - CORRECT ANSWER A scientist makes an observation and asks questions of
some phenomenon. A hypothesis is made that tries to explain the question. The hypothesis generates predictions, or
specific statements that can be directly tested, and then the test results either support or reject the hypothesis.
*Description*: entails identifying and reporting the details and nature of a phenomenon-often distinguishing between
types of phenomenon and recording its frequency. Achieving accurate descriptions of phenomena is one aspect of
understanding (operational definitions).
*Prediction*: knowing which factors are systemically related (correlated).
*Determining Causality*: Changes in one factor produces changes in the other factor. Correlation does not mean
causation.
*Explanation*: Entails establishing why a phenomenon or relationship occurs.
Approaches to Applied Social Psychology - CORRECT ANSWER *Social Cognition Approach*: Traditional
approach. Researcher is there just to report results in a manner that is impartial, neutral, objective. POSITIVISM-
researcher is separate from what is being observed-emphasizes reduction of bias.
*Engaged Research Approach* : Researcher is an active agent, engaging with community groups and others to address
issues that can serve as social change. ADVOCACY/ PARTICIPATION
* Critical Approach*: Emphasizes power and liberation from oppression. Focuses on how the distribution of power
shapes the way people construct their experiences. End OPPRESSION- Goal to create EGALITARIAN SOCIETY.
Describe current understanding of social influences on behaviour, and discuss pivotal research in this area. - CORRECT
ANSWER *Intergroup Attitude*: refers to a person's overall evaluation of members of a group to which the person
does not belong.
, One approach that social psychologists have taken in the study of the formation of intergroup attitudes is to examine the
role of various agents of socialization. Example: children tend to take on the attitudes of important people around them
(parents, siblings, peers, teachers). These people influence the basic development of attitudes through the basic principles
of learning, such as instrumental conditioning, classical conditioning and observation/imitation.
Ex: White children who observed a white adult non-verbally convey uneasiness toward a black person, subsequently
expressed more negative attitudes toward black targets.
Another influential factor is the *media*.
Ex: news reports about terrorism linked to increased prejudice toward Arabs.
*In-group/out-group bias*: In-group members tend to evaluate and relate to the in-group favourably and to the out-group
less favourably.
Ex: Summer camp boys.
One reason is that we often conform to the norms of a group to gain acceptance of its members
Group conformity can also encourage cooperation when attempting to achieve a shared goal
However, cooperation can lead to the conformity of views, resulting in a phenomenon known as groupthink.
Additionally, group conformity enables a sense of cohesion within a society.
What is the relevance of Bronfenbrenner's and Belsky's nested ecological theory for applied social psychology? -
CORRECT ANSWER Bronfenbrenner and Belsky described a theoretical framework that could be used to explain
any form of problem behaviour. Instead of adopting a simplistic one-cause analysis, they proposed what is termed a
nested ecological theory, one that examines interactions from four different levels of generality.
The four levels that Belsky (1980, p. 321) proposed are
*macrosystem*, which encompasses the broadest cultural values and beliefs that influence social behaviour (e.g., the
Western cultural values of individualism or independence);
*exosystem*, which refers to the social structures, both formal and informal, that connect the family to the broader
culture (e.g., the workplace or educational setting);
*microsystem*, which is the small group (typically the family); and
*ontogenetic* system, which comprises the factors influencing individual development (e.g., an individual's personality,
habits, intelligence, and so on).
The ontogenetic characteristics do not exist in a vacuum, but are manifested through an individual's interactions with
others. For this reason, ontogenetic characteristics are said to be nested under, or in, the microsystem. To illustrate this
point, think about your own interactions with others. Do you ever feel that you are a different person depending on who
you are interacting with? Do some people seem to bring out different behaviours in you than others do?
The microsystem also does not exist in isolation. It is nested in the surrounding social structures of our society, or the
exosystem. Again, think about your own family and the outside influences that affect and change it. Has one member of
the family getting a new job ever affected the relationships among family members? Financial concerns, peer groups, and
schools can all affect interactions within the family unit.
Finally, all social groups
Distinguish between a principle and a theory. - CORRECT ANSWER A principle is a fundamental fact on which
other truths can be built on top of. A theory uses specific principles to explain phenomena.
Ethical guidelines are important to psychologists. After reading chapters 1 and 2 of Applied Social Theory, what specific
areas of applied social psychology may require special ethical considerations? - CORRECT ANSWER The ethical
obligation stems essentially from the need to ensure not only that the intended beneficiaries of interventions gain from
them, but also that they (or others) do not experience unintended negative consequences.
Researcher/subject relationships
Children
Observation of people without full consent
Value-laden decisions
Strategies entail a social influence attempt- an attempt on the part of a social agent to induce changes in behaviour that
will contribute to more effective functioning.
U. EXAM UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
*UNIT 1*
What challenges does the application of social psychology face? - CORRECT ANSWER *The ultimate goal is to
effect positive change and improve the functioning of people.*
Interventions developed by applied social psychologists are value-laden in that the psychologists' values play a role in
determining what social and practical problems to address, including which people should be targeted for change and
what should constitute change. Thus, the goal of control through intervention is sometimes controversial.
There is also the struggle that all psychology faces in regards to being recognized as actual science.
Social psychology is the study of how individuals think, feel and behave in a social context. Social psychology seeks to
understand how people influence and relate to one another.
Studying subjective topics like this is difficult.
What are the core values of social psychology as a science? - CORRECT ANSWER - *Accuracy*: precise, error-
free measurement and collection of data.
-*Objectivity*: minimization of bias in data collection and testing
-*Skepticism*: refusing to believe findings and conclusions without vigorous verification.
-*Open-mindedness*: readiness to accept as valid evidence, that which may be inconsistent with one's initial, and perhaps
strongly held, beliefs or theories.
-*Ethics*: acceptance of the absolute importance of ethical behaviour in conducting research
A core assumption of social psych is the *behaviour of individuals is strongly influenced by the social context*
Describe the scientific process. - CORRECT ANSWER A scientist makes an observation and asks questions of
some phenomenon. A hypothesis is made that tries to explain the question. The hypothesis generates predictions, or
specific statements that can be directly tested, and then the test results either support or reject the hypothesis.
*Description*: entails identifying and reporting the details and nature of a phenomenon-often distinguishing between
types of phenomenon and recording its frequency. Achieving accurate descriptions of phenomena is one aspect of
understanding (operational definitions).
*Prediction*: knowing which factors are systemically related (correlated).
*Determining Causality*: Changes in one factor produces changes in the other factor. Correlation does not mean
causation.
*Explanation*: Entails establishing why a phenomenon or relationship occurs.
Approaches to Applied Social Psychology - CORRECT ANSWER *Social Cognition Approach*: Traditional
approach. Researcher is there just to report results in a manner that is impartial, neutral, objective. POSITIVISM-
researcher is separate from what is being observed-emphasizes reduction of bias.
*Engaged Research Approach* : Researcher is an active agent, engaging with community groups and others to address
issues that can serve as social change. ADVOCACY/ PARTICIPATION
* Critical Approach*: Emphasizes power and liberation from oppression. Focuses on how the distribution of power
shapes the way people construct their experiences. End OPPRESSION- Goal to create EGALITARIAN SOCIETY.
Describe current understanding of social influences on behaviour, and discuss pivotal research in this area. - CORRECT
ANSWER *Intergroup Attitude*: refers to a person's overall evaluation of members of a group to which the person
does not belong.
, One approach that social psychologists have taken in the study of the formation of intergroup attitudes is to examine the
role of various agents of socialization. Example: children tend to take on the attitudes of important people around them
(parents, siblings, peers, teachers). These people influence the basic development of attitudes through the basic principles
of learning, such as instrumental conditioning, classical conditioning and observation/imitation.
Ex: White children who observed a white adult non-verbally convey uneasiness toward a black person, subsequently
expressed more negative attitudes toward black targets.
Another influential factor is the *media*.
Ex: news reports about terrorism linked to increased prejudice toward Arabs.
*In-group/out-group bias*: In-group members tend to evaluate and relate to the in-group favourably and to the out-group
less favourably.
Ex: Summer camp boys.
One reason is that we often conform to the norms of a group to gain acceptance of its members
Group conformity can also encourage cooperation when attempting to achieve a shared goal
However, cooperation can lead to the conformity of views, resulting in a phenomenon known as groupthink.
Additionally, group conformity enables a sense of cohesion within a society.
What is the relevance of Bronfenbrenner's and Belsky's nested ecological theory for applied social psychology? -
CORRECT ANSWER Bronfenbrenner and Belsky described a theoretical framework that could be used to explain
any form of problem behaviour. Instead of adopting a simplistic one-cause analysis, they proposed what is termed a
nested ecological theory, one that examines interactions from four different levels of generality.
The four levels that Belsky (1980, p. 321) proposed are
*macrosystem*, which encompasses the broadest cultural values and beliefs that influence social behaviour (e.g., the
Western cultural values of individualism or independence);
*exosystem*, which refers to the social structures, both formal and informal, that connect the family to the broader
culture (e.g., the workplace or educational setting);
*microsystem*, which is the small group (typically the family); and
*ontogenetic* system, which comprises the factors influencing individual development (e.g., an individual's personality,
habits, intelligence, and so on).
The ontogenetic characteristics do not exist in a vacuum, but are manifested through an individual's interactions with
others. For this reason, ontogenetic characteristics are said to be nested under, or in, the microsystem. To illustrate this
point, think about your own interactions with others. Do you ever feel that you are a different person depending on who
you are interacting with? Do some people seem to bring out different behaviours in you than others do?
The microsystem also does not exist in isolation. It is nested in the surrounding social structures of our society, or the
exosystem. Again, think about your own family and the outside influences that affect and change it. Has one member of
the family getting a new job ever affected the relationships among family members? Financial concerns, peer groups, and
schools can all affect interactions within the family unit.
Finally, all social groups
Distinguish between a principle and a theory. - CORRECT ANSWER A principle is a fundamental fact on which
other truths can be built on top of. A theory uses specific principles to explain phenomena.
Ethical guidelines are important to psychologists. After reading chapters 1 and 2 of Applied Social Theory, what specific
areas of applied social psychology may require special ethical considerations? - CORRECT ANSWER The ethical
obligation stems essentially from the need to ensure not only that the intended beneficiaries of interventions gain from
them, but also that they (or others) do not experience unintended negative consequences.
Researcher/subject relationships
Children
Observation of people without full consent
Value-laden decisions
Strategies entail a social influence attempt- an attempt on the part of a social agent to induce changes in behaviour that
will contribute to more effective functioning.
