Socl 350 Revise And Amend Your Week 4 Key Assignment

Socl350revise And Amend Yourweek 4 Key Assignmentby Adding What You

Socl350revise and amend your Week 4 Key Assignment by adding what you learned in the Discussion Board posts following the task, as well as taking into consideration your instructor’s comments. Address the following, and add your responses to your Key Assignment final draft: Using your Week 4 Key Assignment, what behaviors did you observe that you would like to examine with experimental research? Explain. What theories did you create or consider by doing this study, and how would you go about furthering your study of human behavior through this technique? Explain. What did you learn about social psychology and the differences between styles of research? Explain. Which do you think is most beneficial in studying group behavior? Why? Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of revising and amending a research assignment based on class discussions and instructor feedback is integral to developing a comprehensive understanding of social psychology and research methodologies. In this paper, I will reflect upon my Week 4 Key Assignment, incorporating insights gained from discussion posts and instructor comments, to explore observable behaviors suitable for experimental research. Additionally, I will examine the social psychological theories relevant to these behaviors, discuss the advancement of my study through specific techniques, analyze different research styles, and evaluate which approach is most beneficial in studying group behavior.

Initially, within my Week 4 Key Assignment, I observed behaviors related to conformity and group influence among peers in social settings. These behaviors include individuals altering their opinions or actions to align with peer expectations, even when such actions conflict with personal beliefs. The phenomenon of conformity, as articulated by Asch (1951), exemplifies how social pressures can influence individual decision-making. Recognizing these behaviors prompts the question: how can experimental research elucidate the underlying mechanisms of conformity? I am particularly interested in exploring how variables such as group size, unanimity, and anonymity affect conformity levels. Conducting controlled experiments that manipulate these variables can reveal causal relationships, provide insights into the thresholds at which conformity intensifies or diminishes, and help develop interventions to foster independent judgment.

The theories I considered while developing this focus include Solomon Asch’s conformity experiment and social impact theory (Latane, 1981). These frameworks suggest that social pressure and the presence of others significantly influence individual behavior. To further my study of human behavior, I propose employing experimental designs that test the influence of different group configurations on individual choices. For example, using a variation of Asch's line judgment task, I could manipulate group unanimity and anonymity to observe changes in conformity rates. Additionally, integrating modern technology, such as anonymous surveys combined with real-time group feedback, could extend traditional experiments and provide richer data. This approach would facilitate a nuanced understanding of the conditions under which conformity occurs and persists.

From my engagement with social psychology, I have learned that it encompasses diverse research styles, primarily correlational and experimental. Correlational studies identify relationships between variables but do not establish causality, which is crucial when examining social phenomena. Experimental research, however, allows researchers to manipulate variables and observe effects, providing stronger evidence of causal links (Cook & Campbell, 1979). Understanding these differences is vital in selecting appropriate research methods for studying complex group behaviors. For instance, experiments are particularly beneficial in testing the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing prejudice or promoting cooperation, as they can directly assess cause-and-effect relationships.

Regarding the most beneficial research style for studying group behavior, I believe experimental research holds significant advantages. Group behaviors often involve complex interactions influenced by multiple variables—such as group composition, social norms, and situational factors—which can be systematically manipulated and controlled in experimental settings. Experimental designs enable researchers to isolate specific factors and determine their direct impact on group dynamics, thus offering clear insights. However, correlational studies also play a crucial role in understanding naturalistic patterns and establishing initial hypotheses. Ultimately, a mixed-methods approach that combines experimentation with observational and correlational studies provides the most comprehensive understanding of group behavior (Neuman, 2014).

References

• Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of group pressure upon the modification and distortion of judgments. In H. Guetzkow (Ed.), Groups, leadership, and men; research in human relations (pp. 177–190). Carnegie Press.
• Latane, B. (1981). The psychology of social impact. American Psychologist, 36(4), 343–356.
• Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (1979). Quasi-experimentation: Design & analysis issues for field settings. Houghton Mifflin.
• Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. M. (2019). Social psychology (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Baron, R. A., Branscombe, N. R., & Byrne, D. (2020). Social psychology (14th ed.). Pearson.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.
• Fiske, S. T., & Taylor, S. E. (2017). Social cognition: From brains to culture (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M. (2018). Social psychology (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Sherif, M., & Sherif, C. W. (1956). The psychology of social norms. Harper & Brothers.