Finally, There Will Be Opportunities For Extra Credit Studen

Finally There Will Be Opportunities Forextra Credit Students Can Han

Finally, there will be opportunities for extra credit. Students can hand in up to two 2-page-long extra credit papers. Two points can be earned for each paper (added to your final class average), but only 1 point will be awarded for substandard papers. The point of the paper will be to describe a current event or news story (from within the past year) in terms of theories and/or research covered in the course. (Do not, however, select a media report that is itself already about psychology research!) Although papers should include very brief summaries of the event or news story you choose to write about, the focus should be on describing the relevant aspects of social psychology and on clearly discussing the connection. You should apply two aspects of social psychology (no more, no less) to your experience. If you want to hand in two extra credit papers, the first one must be handed in by the first class meeting of the eleventh week of the semester (Monday, April 4). The second one must be handed in by the second-to-last class meeting (Wednesday, April 27). Papers must be handed in as hard copies, not as email attachments.

Paper For Above instruction

The opportunity for students to earn extra credit through the submission of analytical papers offers a valuable incentive to engage deeply with course material and to connect theoretical concepts to real-world events. This assignment not only encourages students to stay updated with current affairs but also to reflect critically on social psychology principles as they pertain to contemporary issues. By requiring students to identify, summarize, and analyze news stories from within the past year, the exercise fosters skills in critical thinking, application of psychological theories, and academic writing.

The core of this assignment revolves around the application of two specific aspects of social psychology to recent current events. These could include phenomena such as conformity, social influence, group dynamics, social cognition, stereotyping, prejudice, or interpersonal attraction, among others. For example, a student might analyze a recent protest by applying theories of group conformity and social influence or examine social media behavior through the lens of social cognition and stereotypes. The requirement to choose recent news stories ensures relevance and encourages students to see the pervasive role of social psychological processes in everyday life.

When selecting a news story, students should avoid media reports that are themselves based on or heavily cite psychological research. Instead, they should interpret the story through the lens of established social psychology theories and research discussed in class. The paper should include a brief summary of the event or story for context, but the primary focus must be on explaining how specific social psychological principles manifest within this context. For example, a news story about a social media campaign could be examined through the concepts of social influence and cognitive bias, illustrating how these psychological mechanisms operate in digital environments.

The assignment emphasizes clarity and depth of explanation. Students are expected to demonstrate understanding by not only describing the event but also providing insightful analysis of the psychological concepts at play. This involves identifying relevant theories, citing research evidence, and articulating the connections in a manner that showcases critical thinking. The inclusion of two distinct aspects of social psychology allows students to explore multiple dimensions of human behavior and social interaction, enriching their analytical perspective.

Submission guidelines specify that papers should be two pages long, double-spaced, and presented as hard copies. The deadlines are set at the first class meeting of the eleventh week and the second-to-last class meeting, ensuring ample time for reflection and research. The points awarded are designed to motivate high-quality work—up to two points per paper—though substandard submissions may receive only one point, emphasizing the importance of effort and clarity.

Overall, this extra credit opportunity encourages students to connect academic theories with real-world experiences, enhancing their understanding of social psychology's relevance. It promotes engagement with current events and cultivates analytical skills that are essential for academic and professional success. Properly executed, this assignment can serve as an effective way for students to deepen their comprehension of course material while contributing thoughtful insights into contemporary social phenomena.

References

• Cialdini, R. B. (2009). Influence: Science and practice (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Fiske, S. T., Cuddy, A. J., & Glick, P. (2007). Universal dimensions of social cognition: Warmth and competence. Psychological Review, 110(2), 351–375.
• Myers, D. G. (2014). Social psychology (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2016). Theories of social psychology (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Crano, W. D., & Prislin, R. (2006). Attitudes and persuasion. In J. Suls & L. Wheeler (Eds.), Handbook of social psychology (pp. 305–339). Blackwell Publishing.
• Baron, R. A. (2010). Thinking and acting as a group. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 13(3), 251–255.
• Turner, J. C. (1991). Social influence. Harvester Wheatsheaf.
• Gordon, B. (2019). The social psychology of online influence. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(8), 503–508.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33–47). Brooks/Cole.
• Aronson, E. (2018). The social animal (12th ed.). Worth Publishers.