Assessment 4 Instructions: Good, Bad, and Loving

 

Write a 4-5 page paper applying theories and concepts from social psychology, behavioral ethics, and critical thinking to the case study you choose. Focus on theories related to prosocial behavior, rejection, and close relationships.

Introduction

Prosocial behavior is doing what’s best for others and involves being fair, respectful, cooperative, forgiving, and sometimes obedient and conforming. It enables us to get along with others, to build trust, and to learn to like and love others. Antisocial behavior is behavior that either damages interpersonal relationships or is culturally undesirable, and it can even involve aggressive or criminal behavior. Social psychologists study what drives us to act in both of these ways.

Social psychologists also study our need for social acceptance and how we form relationships. Human beings are wired for relationships. We engage in relationships of all kinds, from family to acquaintances and friends to romantic partners. We all have a need to belong.

For this assessment, you will write a paper in which you apply theories and concepts from social psychology related to prosocial behavior, rejection, and close relationships. You will also be required to apply behavioral ethics and critical thinking concepts. Successful practitioners understand the dynamics of various relationships. Their understanding of that which affects a successful relationship enables them to support positive and loving relationships for their clients.

Preparation

1. Access the Riverbend City: Good, Bad, and Loving Case Studiesmultimedia piece to choose which case study you want to focus on and the social psychology theory, behavioral ethics concept, and critical thinking concept you want to use in your paper.
2. Use the Capella library to find two scholarly journal articles related to the social psychology theory you chose. You may choose to use one of the following articles as one of the two you are required to use:
   • Reciprocity:Mahmoodi, A., Bahrami, B., & Mehring, C. (2018). Reciprocity of social influence. Nature Communications, 9(1), 1-9.
   • Unrequited Love: Bamford, R. (2015). Unrequited: Neurochemical enhancement of love. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 24(3), 355-360.
   • Social Exchange Theory:Fallis, E. E., Rehman, U. S., Woody, E. Z., & Purdon, C. (2016). The longitudinal association of relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction in long-term relationships. Journal of Family Psychology, 30(7), 822-831.

You may use the following resource to supplement the information you find in your textbook and scholarly journal articles:

• Social Exchange Theory: Sociology Students from Jammu and Kashmir. (2012, October 28). Social exchange theory–A complete note[Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/233824056627657/posts/social-exchange-theory-a-complete-notesocial-exchange-theory-is-a-social-psychol/517499074926819/

Instructions

This week you will be writing a paper that includes the following:

• Summarize the case study.
• Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to a particular theory.
• Apply a social psychological theory to a chosen case study.
• Explain how social psychological research studies relate to a particular social psychological theory.
• Apply an ethical reasoning concept to a chosen case study.
• Apply a critical thinking concept to a chosen case study.
• Provide a conclusion.
• Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
• Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.

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 and Format
• Resources:Minimum of two scholarly or professional resources.
• Length:4-5 double-spaced pages, in addition to the title page and reference page.
• Font and font size:Times New Roman, 12 point.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.

Competencies Measured

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.
  • Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to a particular theory.
• Competency 2: Apply social psychological theory to topics in the field.
  • Apply a social psychological theory to a chosen case study.
• Competency 3: Apply social psychological research to topics in the field.
  • Explain how social psychological research studies relate to a particular social psychological theory.
• Competency 4: Apply ethical reasoning to social psychology topics.
  • Apply an ethical reasoning concept to a chosen case study.
• Competency 5: Apply critical thinking to social psychology topics.
  • Apply a critical thinking concept to a chosen case study.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
  • Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
  • Demonstrate compliance with APA style, citation, and referencing guidelines.

RIVERBEND CITY: GOOD, BAD, AND LOVING CASE STUDIES
Case Study 2 – Susan: Social Ups and Downs
At her favorite coffee shop, Mark invites Susan to a party he and his friend Joe are throwing. It’s been a long
time since Susan has had a social life, so she accepts his invitation.
At the party, Susan is strongly admired by Mark and his friends. Mark seems to interpret every pleasant look
and touch by Susan as a connection. She appreciates Mark inviting her to the party and wants to be
pleasant in return, but she doesn’t want to give Mark the wrong idea. After all, they just officially met. Susan
continues to enjoy herself at the party, and at the end of the night, thanks Mark for a fun evening, accepts
his friend request on Facebook, and takes a cab home.
Days later, Susan checks her Facebook page and discovers Mark’s daily posts about his love and affection
for Susan. Susan realizes Mark has misinterpreted her friendliness at the party and knows she must clarify
their relationship. She knows it may be painful for Mark, but she must be honest with him. He has made
public disclosures on Facebook, and she needs to publicly clarify their relationship. Susan believes this is
the right thing to do.
Susan crafts a sensitive reply post in which she tries to honestly consider Mark’s perspective on their single
date, to let him down gently by clarifying the reality from her perspective. She acknowledges having fun at
the party and enjoying their friendly time together, but concludes by respectfully setting clear limits on their
future encounters and by unfriending him on Facebook
Choose a case study
Case Study 2 – Susan: Social Ups and Downs
Choose a theory
Unrequited Love: A situation in which one person loves another but the other does not return that love. You
can find more information on this theory in your text in Chapter 11, pages 397-398.
Choose a concept
Moral Awareness: Moral awareness is the ability to detect and appreciate the ethical aspects of a decision
that one must make. For more information about this concept, review the What You Need to Know activity in
Unit 7.
Choose a concept
Confidence in Reason: Having confidence that your interests and those of mankind are best served by
reasoning. For more information about this concept, review the What You Need to Know activity in Unit 8.