Assignment 12: Final Exam - The Final Exam Is An Essay Exam

Assignment 12begin Final Examthe Final Exam Is An Essay Exam That Co

The final exam is an essay exam covering chapters 11 through 14 of the course text. Responses must be typed, double-spaced, in APA style, and written at a graduate level. Each response should be approximately half a page, totaling 5-7 pages plus a title and reference page. Use the course text to support your answers, citing in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

Social psychology offers a comprehensive view of how individual behaviors and thoughts are influenced by social factors. This paper addresses several core concepts from chapters 11 through 14, including reciprocity of liking, social perception, attachment styles, self-esteem, and biases, integrating empirical research and theoretical perspectives to analyze real-world scenarios.

Reciprocity of Liking

Petra's increased positive feelings toward Julie upon learning that Julie thinks she is cool exemplifies a well-documented phenomenon in social psychology called the reciprocity of liking. According to research by Byrne (1971), individuals tend to develop more favorable attitudes toward those who show that they like them. This effect is attributed to reciprocated validation, which enhances feelings of self-worth and makes individuals perceive the liked person more positively. Byrne’s study demonstrated that when people receive positive feedback, they are more likely to respond with increased liking. This reciprocal process fosters social bonds and underscores the importance of interpersonal validation in relationship development.

Social Perception and Relationship Dynamics

In the case of Tom and Elise, social psychologists would interpret his growing annoyance with her nail-biting as a factor influencing relationship satisfaction and compatibility. Gottman’s (1994) research emphasizes that behaviors such as mannerisms can become sources of conflict if they are perceived as signs of underlying incompatibility or incompatibility. When initial acceptance morphs into frustration, it suggests that what might have been tolerable at first becomes more salient over time. Psychologists would suggest that such behaviors can serve as cues to deeper concerns about personal differences or incompatibility, potentially predicting future relationship challenges if the behaviors persist and are viewed negatively.

Effectiveness of Relationship-Related Coping Strategies

Research indicates that Anabelle’s method of forming "relationships" with celebrities through media consumption and Roger’s companionship with his dog may offer some brief relief from loneliness but are generally ineffective long-term strategies for establishing meaningful social connections. According to Helliwell (2006), social integration and genuine interpersonal relationships are more effective in reducing loneliness than superficial or passive activities. While celebrity worship may temporarily distract or entertain, it lacks reciprocal interaction essential for emotional fulfillment. Similarly, pet ownership can ease feelings of loneliness by providing companionship, but without social interaction, it might not significantly improve overall well-being or social connectedness in the long run (McConnell et al., 2011).

Intimacy and Sternberg’s Triangle Theory

Moira and Abdul’s relationship exemplifies the component of passion in Sternberg’s triarchic theory of love. Their high sexual tension and focus on physical intimacy suggest that their relationship mainly comprises passion without substantial intimacy or commitment. According to Sternberg (1986), an ideal consummate love combines passion, intimacy, and commitment. However, their current pattern indicates an emphasis on passion alone, which can be sustainable temporarily but may lack stability or deep emotional connection over time. This imbalance highlights the importance of developing intimacy and commitment to achieve a more complete and resilient love relationship.

Attachment Style and Trust Issues

Andre’s difficulty trusting his girlfriend, despite low social anxiety and high self-confidence, can be interpreted through attachment theory. His reluctance to trust may imply an avoidant attachment style, characterized by emotional distance and skepticism of intimacy despite external confidence (Bowlby, 1969). Such individuals often harbor underlying fears of vulnerability, leading to aloof behaviors that frustrate partners. Recognizing his attachment style provides insights into the root causes of his trust issues, and understanding this can guide therapeutic interventions aimed at developing more secure attachment behaviors.

Self-Esteem and Relationship Success

Research shows that individuals with moderate and high self-esteem are more likely to experience successful long-term romantic relationships (Murray et al., 2002). Hillary’s somewhat high self-esteem may promote healthy self-confidence and positive interactions, fostering stable relationships. Lola’s somewhat low self-esteem could lead to insecurity and dependency, which may undermine relationship stability. Nancy’s narcissistic self-esteem, characterized by arrogance, often impairs empathy and mutual respect, reducing relationship satisfaction (Campbell et al., 2006). Hattie’s low self-esteem involves self-criticism and self-hate, which are associated with vulnerability to depression and difficulties in forming trusting, supportive bonds. Overall, moderate to high self-esteem supports relationship stability, whereas extremely high or low levels can pose challenges.

Social Perception and Stereotypes

Jennifer’s contrasting descriptions of UCLA and USC students demonstrate stereotype formation and the influence of social categorization. Her perception of UCLA students as diverse reflects an appreciation for variability within a large group, possibly indicative of an inclusive attitude. Conversely, her perception of USC students as uniform suggests reliance on stereotypes or simplified schemas, illustrating different social perception biases. According to social psychologists, such stereotypes serve as cognitive shortcuts but also risk perpetuating inaccurate or overly simplistic views, impacting intergroup relations and individual judgments (Fiske & Taylor, 2013).

Attitude Formation and Social Comparison

Madison’s discomfort upon noticing her new boyfriend Wayne’s family’s obesity reflects the influence of social comparison and attitude formation based on physical appearance standards. This scenario exemplifies how implicit attitudes and stereotypes can affect attraction and perceptions of compatibility. Festinger’s (1954) social comparison theory suggests that individuals evaluate themselves and others relative to relevant standards; in Madison’s case, her perception of attractiveness is influenced by her comparison to Wayne’s family, affecting her attitude toward him. This demonstrates the powerful role of social environment and internalized standards in shaping romantic judgments.

Bias and Prejudice in Social Perception

Mr. Schmidt’s biased focus on Black students’ “attitude” highlights confirmation bias and selective perception, which reinforce prejudiced beliefs. By predominantly noticing behaviors that support stereotypes about disrespect, he overlooks positive attributes or similar behaviors among white students. This selective attention exemplifies how cognitive biases sustain prejudice by filtering social information in a prejudiced manner (Devine, 1989). Such biases can have significant implications for social equity and interactions within educational settings, perpetuating stereotypes and discrimination.

Social Facilitation and Attention

Jonah’s preoccupation with his girlfriend during his piano recital illustrates the phenomenon of social interference, a component of social facilitation. When focus shifts from the task (playing the piano) to concern about the audience (his girlfriend), performance quality often declines. Zajonc’s (1965) model suggests that external attention and anxiety can interfere with optimal performance, especially on complex tasks. This scenario emphasizes how social factors, such as attention and emotional state, influence individual performance in social contexts.

Outcomes and Theoretical Frameworks

Across the scenarios, understanding social perception, cognition, group influence, and interpersonal dynamics helps explain human behavior. Theories like the social exchange theory, attachment theory, and attribution theory provide frameworks to analyze individual differences, relationship satisfaction, and biases. Current research trends include diverse examinations of social influence, emotional regulation, and cultural dimensions, contributing to a nuanced understanding of social behavior in various contexts. Continual advancements in neuroimaging, cross-cultural studies, and experimental methods enrich the field’s capacity to explore complex social phenomena.

References

• Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Positive psychology coaching. John Wiley & Sons.
• Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.
• Campbell, W. K., Foster, J. D., & Finkel, E. J. (2006). Relationship harmony and narcissism. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23(2), 189-208.
• Devine, P. G. (1989). Stereotypes and prejudice: Their automatic and controlled components. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56(1), 5-18.
• Fiske, S. T., & Taylor, S. E. (2013). Social cognition: From brains to culture. Sage.
• Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.
• Gottman, J. M. (1994). Why marriages succeed or fail. Simon and Schuster.
• Helliwell, J. F. (2006). Well-being and social capital: Evidence and implications. Social Capital and Health, 31-42.
• Murray, S. L., Holmes, J. G., & Collins, N. L. (2002). Improving the quality of romantic relationships: Is there an incentive? In H. T. Reis & C. M. R. (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 55-105). Academic Press.
• McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T., Service, S., & Hanoch, Y. (2011). Friends with benefits: The unintended relationship benefits of pet ownership. Society & Animals, 19(2), 101-124.
• Sternberg, R. J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93(2), 119-135.
• Zajonc, R. B. (1965). Social facilitation. Science, 149(3681), 269-274.