PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology- Athabasca Exam Questions and Answers (Solved Papers)
*UNIT 1*
What challenges does the application of social psychology face? - Correct Answers ✅*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 Answers ✅- *Accuracy*: precise, error-free
measurement and collection of data. 1 / 4
PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology- Athabasca Exam Questions and Answers (Solved Papers)
-*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 Answers ✅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). 2 / 4
PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology- Athabasca Exam Questions and Answers (Solved Papers)
*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 Answers
✅*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. 3 / 4
PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology- Athabasca Exam Questions and Answers (Solved Papers) Describe current understanding of social influences on behaviour, and discuss pivotal research in this area. -
Correct Answers ✅*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.
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