Social Psychology (Part 2)

Question 1

How social psychologists can help

Answer 1

• know attitudes, beliefs and affective reactions to issues
• worry less about risks that are: abstract, in far future, caused by choices that benefit us, over which we have control

Question 2

Applying Social Psychology

Answer 2

• Theory driven - start theory and test on problem
• Problem driven - start with problem and use theory: PATH model
• • Problem
• • Analysis
• • Test
• • Help

Question 3

PATH model

Answer 3

1. problem to problem statement
2. formulating explanations based on theory
   - which explanations can be generated for the problem/outcome variable?
3. constructing and testing a process model
   - design and process model to visualise the explanations: which factors are involved in the explanation? Are there mediations, interactions, etc?
4. Designing an intervention program
   - which factors in the intervention will be targeted? Choose the channel, method and strategies to be used in the intervention
5. Developing an implementation plan
   - Plan the implementation: which parties are involved? How will you make sure that the target group will be exposed to the intervention

Question 4

Problem analysis

Answer 4

• WHAT is the problem / what has to be explained
• WHY is it a problem
• for WHOM is it a problem
• WHAT are the MAIN CAUSES of the problem
• • which social-psychological theories help explain the problem
• WHAT is the TARGET GROUP
• • group whose behaviour you want to change
• WHAT are the MAIN ASPECTS of the problem
• • applied problem? can in addition to pointing out the causes the problem also be solved? concrete definitions
• • social-psychological problem? does it apply to social-psychological theories?
• • can it be solved?
• • outcome variable? which variable should be explained and changed to decrease/solve problem?

Question 5

Problem definition

Answer 5

statement summarizing all aspects of problem; to be presented in press release or to acquire funding

Question 6

Intervention Program

Answer 6

• possible solution(s) to problem - focus on social psychologist perspective
• concrete
• directed at target group; focused on outcome variable