Assessment 3 Instructions: Thinking, Feeling, and Believing

 

Select one of three provided case studies and apply theories and concepts from social psychology, behavioral ethics, and critical thinking to the case study. Focus on theories related to biases in our thinking, the development of our beliefs, and social influence.

Introduction

If you could learn how your thoughts may interfere with your own happiness and success, would you want to know? Social psychologists study how our social cognitions (thoughts, attitudes, beliefs) influence our happiness and behavior. Research findings tell us that social cognition has the ability to shape and predict behavior. The more self-knowledge and self-awareness we have, the more intentional we can be about our behavioral choices and the more we can resolve conflicts between ourselves and the social world.

Equally important is looking at how emotions are both helpful and hurtful in decision making and to what extent our emotions may be manipulated by others. Emotional regulation is part of emotional intelligence. Without an ability to self-regulate emotion, a concept known as affect regulation, emotions can fuel depression, aggression, and other self-defeating behaviors.

For this assessment, you will complete a media piece and template in which you apply theories and concepts from social psychology related to biases in our thinking, the development of our beliefs, and social influence. You will also apply behavioral ethics and critical thinking concepts. Being a successful practitioner requires us to understand the importance of ethical behaviors. The behaviors we demonstrate will directly influence those we interact with on a daily basis. In addition, the behaviors of others will influence us and our professional practices. Therefore we want to ensure that we behave ethically and have a positive influence.

Preparation

1. Access the Riverbend City: Thinking, Feeling, and Believing 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 have identified as being embedded in your case study.
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:
   • Confirmation Bias:Rajsic, J., Wilson, D. E., & Pratt, J. (2015). Confirmation bias in visual search. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 41(5), 1353-1364.
   • Mere Exposure Effect: Montoya, R. M., Horton, R. S., Vevea, J. L., Citkowicz, M., & Lauber, E. A. (2017). A re-examination of the mere exposure effect: The influence of repeated exposure on recognition, familiarity, and liking. Psychological Bulletin, 143(5), 459-498.
   • Halo Effect:Bradley, S. W., Roberts, J. A., & Bradley, P. W. (2019). Experimental evidence of observed social media status cues on perceived likability. Psychology of Popular Media, 8(1), 41-51.
3. Review the Thinking, Feeling, and Believing Template [DOCX]you will use to write your paper.

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

• Confirmation Bias:Cherry, K. (2020). How confirmation bias works. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-confirmation-bias-2795024
• Halo Effect:Causey, K., & Goetz, A. (2009). The halo effect in overdrive. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/natural-history-the-modern-mind/200907/the-halo-effect-in-overdrive
• Mere Exposure Effect: Jansen, G. (2010, October 1). Mere exposure effect. https://www.gui.do/post/mere-exposure-effect

Instructions

Using the Thinking, Feeling, and Believing Template [DOCX]:

• 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.
• Review the key points.
• Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
• Use APA-style citations and book, journal references, website, magazine, and blog posts.
• Utilize various resources including journals, books, websites, magazines, or blogs.

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.

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.
  • Use APA-style citations and book, journal references, website, magazine and blog posts; other references may be missing elements.

THINKING FEELING BELIEVING CASE STUDIES
Case Study 2 – Susan: Adjusting Career Goals
Susan thought about Frank and the impression he made on her. Susan was very impressed by him; his
wardrobe, his car, and his smile and eye contact exuded self-confidence. Though she knew little about
Frank professionally, Susan eventually decided to return to college and someday become a psychologist,
too.
Now that her studies are robbing her of time with her son and friends, Susan reflects on working with Frank.
She smiles when she thinks of how impressed she is with his handsome looks and how inspired she is by
his profession. Susan considers her own appearance as basically attractive but nothing like the handsome
Dr. Frank.
Susan thinks, “Am I fooling myself about becoming a psychologist? It’s easy for someone who looks like
Frank to be successful, but what about me? Maybe my long-term goals are not realistic. They’re killing me
with my son and free time. Maybe I need to cut back my ambition and just try to graduate from the university
and take it a step at a time.”
With a touch of discouragement, this line of thinking is also reassuring to Susan. It provides her with a
reason to adjust her educational and professional goals that is more “realistic” given her physical
appearance. She knows some of her family and friends would be disappointed to hear about her change in
goals, but she doesn’t have to tell anyone now. She can just enjoy the reduced pressure her adjustment in
goals has provided.
Choose a case study
Case Study 2 – Susan: Adjusting Career Goals
Choose a theory
Confirmation Bias: The tendency to notice and search for information that confirms one’s beliefs and to
ignore information that disconfirms one’s beliefs. You can find more information on this theory in your text in
Chapter 5, page 171.
Choose a concept
Rationalizations: Rationalizations are invented explanations that hide or deny true motivations, causes, or
actions. They are the excuses people give themselves for not living up to their own ethical standards. For
more information about this concept, review the What You Need to Know activity in Unit 6.
Choose a concept
Point of View: Point of view is literally “the place” from which you view something. It includes what you are
looking at and the way you are seeing it. It is important to understand the limitations of your point of view and
that you fully consider other relevant viewpoints. For more information about this concept, review the What
You Need to Know activity in Unit 5.