1
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PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology-
Athabasca U. Questions and Answers
(100% Correct Answers) Already Graded
A+
UNIT 1
What challenges does the application of social psychology face?
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[ ANS: ] The ultimate goal is to effect positive change and
improve the functioning of people.
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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.
, 2
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What are the core values of social psychology as a science? [
ANS: ] - 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.
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-Ethics: acceptance of the absolute importance of ethical
behaviour in conducting research
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A core assumption of social psych is the behaviour of individuals is
strongly influenced by the social context
Describe the scientific process. [ ANS: ] 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).
, 3
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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.
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Approaches to Applied Social Psychology [ ANS: ] 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
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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. [ ANS: ] Intergroup
Attitude: refers to a person's overall evaluation of members of a
group to which the person does not belong.
, 4
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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.
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Another influential factor is the media.
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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.
For Expert help and assignment solutions, +254707240657
PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology-
Athabasca U. Questions and Answers
(100% Correct Answers) Already Graded
A+
UNIT 1
What challenges does the application of social psychology face?
© 2025 Assignment Expert
[ ANS: ] The ultimate goal is to effect positive change and
improve the functioning of people.
Guru01 - Stuvia
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.
, 2
For Expert help and assignment solutions, +254707240657
What are the core values of social psychology as a science? [
ANS: ] - 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.
© 2025 Assignment Expert
-Ethics: acceptance of the absolute importance of ethical
behaviour in conducting research
Guru01 - Stuvia
A core assumption of social psych is the behaviour of individuals is
strongly influenced by the social context
Describe the scientific process. [ ANS: ] 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).
, 3
For Expert help and assignment solutions, +254707240657
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.
© 2025 Assignment Expert
Approaches to Applied Social Psychology [ ANS: ] 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
Guru01 - Stuvia
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. [ ANS: ] Intergroup
Attitude: refers to a person's overall evaluation of members of a
group to which the person does not belong.
, 4
For Expert help and assignment solutions, +254707240657
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.
© 2025 Assignment Expert
Another influential factor is the media.
Guru01 - Stuvia
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.
