As part of your coursework requirement for this course (PSYC 363 Social Psychology) you will write a paper describing how social psychological concepts and theories can be applied to real life situations.
Choose an applied social psychology topic from Chapter 1 to 8 of Myers’ text, or from some other source. Identify within the domain of the applied topic you have chosen, at least three concepts or theories that can be used to explain the thoughts, feelings, and behavioral phenomena that occur in that applied setting. You must cite and reference research findings that support your arguments for why and how the concepts/theories apply.
Outline of Paper
1. Title: “The Application of Social Psychological Theories and Concepts to (Your Topical Area)”
2. Introduction: About ¾ page to explain how applied social psychology relates to the topic
3. Applications of social psychological concepts in (your topical area)
a. Concept / Theory #1
i. Application example
ii. How the concept can be applied to address issues
b. Concept / Theory #2 (repeat i. & ii. above)
c. Concept / Theory #3 (repeat i. & ii. above)
4. Conclusion and Summary- Show how a better understanding the social psychology concepts and theories can be useful in addressing issues in this topical area. Provide specific examples that show how the concepts are played out in real life situation. Draw from (1) your own experiences, (2) having observed others’ experiences, or (3) create some from your imagination.
5. References (APA style)
Instructions: (requirements for paper)
The paper must be no more than 4 SINGLE spaced pages.
References:
(1) You must provide at least one reference for each concept or theory
(2) You must find and reference at least two recent (after 2010) articles for each of the three (or more) concepts/theories you use.
(3) Submit to Blackboard assignment folder in MS Word
Grading Rubric:
Your grade for the paper will be based upon:
(1) The quality of editing and proofreading (must be free of proofreading errors for a “B” grade).
(2) The quality of your arguments showing how the concepts are applied
(3) The novelty and originality of your arguments
(4) Adherence to APA style.
