Week 6: Social Psychology

Question 1

Pros and cons of lab and field studies

Answer 1

Lab- Pros: efficient, easy to get informed consent and debrief
Cons: artificial, demand characteristics, usually non-random sample
Field- Pros: diverse sample, observe real behaviour
Cons: sloppy, able to get informed consent?

Question 2

Differences between IVs and DVs

Answer 2

Independent Variable (IV):  What the researcher is manipulating
Dependent Variable (DV):  The effect of the IV (outcome)

Question 3

Research as being experimental vs. non-experimental

Answer 3

Experimental studies: answer cause-effect questions
One variable (IV) has direct causal influence on another (DV)
Includes manipulation of IV and random assignment
Non-experimental studies: do not allow for cause-effect
Experimental studies not always possible
why not- costly and takes times, can’t do experimental studies in the field, so many variables, ethical reasons.
Correlation studies tell us that two variables are related or not
Correlation does not equal causation!

Question 4

Triplett Reseearch

Answer 4

First sport-specific social psychology experiment

Why do cyclists ride faster in groups/pairs vs. alone?

Question 5

Sheriff Research

Answer 5

Important for psychological understanding of groups (conflict, prejudice, stereotypes, competition)
Famous study looked at intergroup conflict and competition
Showed that intergroup conflict can trigger competition, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviour

Question 6

Milgram Research

Question 7

Sources of Social Power

Answer 7

1. Legitimate power:
   Based on one’s socially sanctioned claim to a position/role that gives him/her the right to require and demand compliance
   Expert power:
   Derived from subordinates’ assumption that the power holder possesses superior skills and abilities
   Reward power:
   Having control over the distribution of rewards given to individuals
   Coercive power:
   Having the ability to punish/threaten others who don’t comply with requests/demands
   Referent power:
   Based on one’s identification with, attraction to, or respect for the power holder

Question 8

Forms of social support

Answer 8

Instrumental Support
Includes tangible, practical assistance that will help a person achieve goals
Emotional Support
Occurs through expressions of encouragement, caring, empathy, concern toward a person. Can increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety

Informational Support

Includes giving directions, advice, or suggestions, and providing feedback regarding progress Example: receive info from health practitioners and fitness trainers, coach provides feedback on learning new skill
Companionship Support
Reflects the availability of persons within one’s social network. Produces positive affect and can distract people from negative exercise-related feelings (e.g., fatigue, boredom) Examples: The availably of a friend to exercise with
Validation
Involves comparing oneself with others in order to gauge progress and confirm that one’s thoughts, feelings, problems, and experiences are normal. Gauge your progress. Example: People with heart disease exercising in groups of heart disease b/c it gives them a sense of “if they can do it, so can I”

Question 9

Using social power and social support to increase physical activity

Answer 9

Encouraging/support friends to exercise. Having a famous athlete promote physical activity.

Question 10

Design: A program that uses social support as a way to increase physical activity