"Except for the purest of good luck, a refugee's story

could well have been our very own story!"

--- Dr. J. Davis Mannino

1982 Annual Report, Office of Refugee Affairs

City of San Francisco

13.0 - Overview

Social Psychology

Psychological Words to Live By and Those Who Said them

"It seems that ambition makes most people wish to be loved rather than to love others."

Aristotle (384-322 BCE)--Before the Common Era-- was born in what was to become Macedon in northern Greece, but spent most of his adult life in Athens. His life in Athens divides into two periods, first as a member of Plato's Academy (367-347 BCE) and later as director of his own school, the Lyceum (334-323 BCE). The intervening years were spent mainly in Assos and Lesbos, and briefly back in Macedon. His years away from Athens were predominantly taken up with biological research and writing. Judging on the basis of their content, Aristotle's most important psychological writings probably belong to his second residence in Athens, and so to his most mature period. His principal work in psychology, De Anima, reflects in different ways his pervasive interest in biological taxonomy and his most sophisticated physical and metaphysical theory.

Because of the long tradition of exposition which has developed around Aristotle's De Anima, the interpretation of even its most central theses is sometimes disputed. Moreover, because of its evident affinities with some prominent approaches in contemporary philosophy of mind, Aristotle's psychology has received renewed interest and has incited intense interpretative dispute in recent decades.

Assignment Overview

The purpose of Homework Assignment #13 is to provide you with an appreciation of the importance of studying "Social Psychology" and to also provide you with some "hands on experience" in learning some of the important psychological dynamics found in the scientific study of social psychology.

Specifically you will learn how our behavior is effected by certain situations, how we construct social reality, and how psychology is used to resolve social conflicts.

Caution - Please keep in mind, that while minimum length is suggested for each task assignment, a length of several times the minimum is generally necessary to obtain good to exceptional grades. Always be sure to weave in solid scholarship, as evidenced from the text and website readings, and be certain to "compare and contrast" what you have learned. This will help to assure me that you in fact are learning each week. Thank you.

13.1 - The Crash Course in Psychology Lecture Series

The CrashCourse educational video series was launched in January, 2012 by Hank and John Green. It was an original series that was part of the YouTube-funded channels. In the beginning Google provided funding. Later "crowdfunding" was used. And more recently CrashCourse announced a partnership with PBS Digital Studios. There are over 40 video segments that address an array of topics and chapters found in most high-end and popular Introduction to Psychology textbooks. You will find a relevant CrashCourse segment (10 to 15 minutes each) throughout this 15 module Introduction to Psychology course. Enjoy!

Topic #32: Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders

Did you know that Schizophrenia and Multiple Personality Disorder aren’t the same thing? Did you know that Sybil was a lie? Also, we don’t call it Multiple Personality Disorder anymore? In this video lecture episode we travel down the road of some very misunderstood psychological disorders. Other topic discussions include: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Brain Activity, and Dissociative Disorders.

Topic #38: Social Influence

Why do people sometimes do bad things just because someone else told them to? And what does the term "Groupthink" mean? In today’s video lecture we examine ideas about Social Influence and how it can affect our decisions to act or to not act. Other topics include: Milgram Experiment, Automatic Mimicry, Solomon Asch, Normative Social Influence, Social Facilitation, Social Loafing, Deindividuation, Group Polarization, and Groupthink.

Topic #39: Prejudice and Discrimination

In this video lecture episode, we tackle some difficult topics dealing with prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. There’s a lot here, so let’s get started. Other topics include: Prejudice, Stereotyping, & Discrimination, Prejudice Can Often Be Non-Conscious, Implicit Association Test or AIT, Ingroup-Outgroup Phenomenon and In-Group Bias.

Topic #40: Aggression vs. Altruism

In our final video lecture episode we discuss the ideas of Aggression and Altruism. These two things are difficult to understand and explain so sit tight and get ready to run the gauntlet of human emotions. Other topics include: Robber's Cave Experiment, Realistic Conflict Theory, Physical & Environmental Triggers, Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis, Altruism, Bystander Effect, and Social Exchange Theory.

13.2 - Using The Internet To Conduct Psych Research

Social Psychology

Task: This assignment is designed to assist you explore one very important area of social psychology, interpersonal relationships --- in particular romance!

Plato observed that "At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet." Poet Robert Browning said of love, "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be. The last of life, for which the first was made." The writer Eugene Healy observed, "One man's mate is another man's passion." And finally, the witty late gay English humorist Quentin Crisp wrote, "Marriage is but for a little while. It is alimony that is forever..."

Using the "Relationship Resources" link that follows, choose one or two of the sub-category topics and explain what you learned about the many issues surrounding "relationships." It is part of the Psychology Today Website, so it should be reliable not to mention useful.

Requirements: In one or two typed written pages describe what site(s) you explored and what you learned.

Relationship Resources

Stanford Prison Study - Below you will find the Stanford Prison Experiment website link. This scientific experiment is one of the great Psychology research projects in the world. This website features an extensive slide show and information about this classic psychology experiment, including parallels with the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. What happens when you put good people in an evil place? Does humanity win over evil, or does evil triumph? These are some of the questions we posed in this dramatic simulation of prison life conducted in the summer of 1971 at Stanford University.

"How we went about testing these questions and what we found may astound you. Our planned two-week investigation into the psychology of prison life had to be ended prematurely after only six days because of what the situation was doing to the college students who participated. In only a few days, our guards became sadistic and our prisoners became depressed and showed signs of extreme stress. Please join me on a slide tour describing this experiment and uncovering what it tells us about the nature of human nature."

- Professor Philip G. Zimbardo

Click on the link and enjoy! - Stanford Prison Study

13.3 - Psychology Based Websites

Using Internet Tools To Learn About Sexuality

Task: For the following psychology oriented Website, report back what you learned from exploring any one of the many subcategories listed at the following link. A tighly written paragraph or two sharing what you learned and what your reactions were, would be appreciated. Comment on a different sexuality site for each homework assignment.

Since our chapter deals with "Social Psychology", I suggest you seek out Websites that explore relationships, transgenderism, and racism, etc. Just make sure it relates to this weeks readings and coursework.

Professor's Favorite Section: At the Kinsey Institute's website is a section called FAQs & Sex" Information. Here you will find listed an assortment of topics. Chose one and click on the topic. Basic information is provided as well as an expandable link to further information. During this course, choose a different topics for your module discussions. Enjoy!

Kinsey Institute - Sexuality Link. [Home Page]

Also find a link to the Durex Global Sex Research study (video). Durex is the world's largest maker of condoms.

Durex Global Sex Research

A FILM REVIEW: [Optional Extra-Credit Project worth 10 points - Notify Professor first for approval]

In the following link, you may watch the two hour film Zeitgeist and write a reaction paper about it. Zeitgeist is an above average conspiracy theory film. The premise of the movie is International Bankers rule the world and encourage death, destruction, and war, as it is good for business. What makes such films interesting is there is some truth to it. Separating truth from fiction is why becoming fully educated is so important in a democratic society. This is a prime topic for Social Psychology.

According to the writers and producers of the film, "Zeitgeist was created as a nonprofit filmiac expression to inspire people to start looking at the world from a more critical perspective and to understand that very often things are not what the population at large think they are."

That being said, It is the authors and producers hope "that people will not take what is said in the film as the truth, but find out for themselves, for truth is not told, it is realized."

This is an optional extra credit project worth 10 points. If you wish to complete it, you must watch the film, and then write a 500 word reaction paper. Send the typed paper by either email with reaction paper as an attachment or send to my attention at SRJC.

Zeitgeist

13.3a - The Discovering Psychology Film Series

Modules #19 & #20: "The Power of the Situation" & "Constructing Social Reality"

Task: After reviewing these film modules, report back what you learned. Explain in a clear, concise, and tightly worded reaction report.

Overview: The following link is a a video instructional series for teaching Introduction to Psychology for college students. This 26 half-hour video program series covers the major aspects of the typical Introduction to Psychology undergraduate college course.

Highlighting major new developments in the Psychology, this updated edition of Discovering Psychology film series offers college students an overview of historic and current theories of human behavior. Stanford University professor and author Philip Zimbardo narrates as leading researchers, practitioners, and theorists probe the mysteries of the mind and body. Based on extensive investigation and authoritative scholarship, this introductory course in psychology features demonstrations, classic experiments and simulations, current research, documentary footage, and computer animation.

Directions for using the "Discovering Psychology" link.

When you arrive at the website, you will first need to "sign up." Do so, following the directions carefully. Once "enrolled," click on the appropriate program icon [as directed by your professor]. When the "movie cue" pops up, double click on it or click on the start cue arrow. Enjoy the video, take notes, and "learn!"

Click on the links that follow (or below), They are Module #19 entitled The Power of the Situation and Module #20 entitled Constructing Social Reality. Please note that it may take several seconds to load these "steaming videos," so be patient. You'll get the "hang" of it.

Discovering Psychology Series - Table of Contents

13.4 - Reading Assignment - Chapter 14

"Social Psychology"

Textbook: Textbook: Psychology5: Introductory Psychology by Spencer A. Rathus (Cengage Publishers, 2018). ISBN-978-1-305-66267-4. This is the hard copy, which I'd prefer that ALL students secure.

Purchase book at the SRJC campus bookstore AND online. The online link is: http://www.santarosa.edu/bookstore/

Task: Module #17 Textbook Reading Assignment - Chapter 14: "Social Psychology"

13.5 - Head Candy - Online Mental Gymnastics

Psychological Tests, Quizzes, and Self-Help Inventories

Overview: Over the years, I've found that students love taking psychological mental tests, quizzes, and self-help personality inventories, especially those online that provide nearly instant feedback after completing. While few are truly scientifically based "psychological instruments," complete with "reliability and validity" standards, they nonetheless provide us with helpful and often substantial insights into who we are. So with that caveat made, this section is devoted to mental tests, or head games, if you will.

Task: How good are you at relationships? At love? "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?" said noted lesbian comic and writer Lily Tomlin. In the link that follows you will find a " Hopeless Romantic Testromance."

Provide a written reaction paper regarding what you learned from this exercise. Be sure to comment about what you believe to be your own strengths and weakness regarding interpersonal relationships. Be sure to consider how valid and reliable you believe the test(s) you took to be from a scientific point of view.

For purposes of "disability and accessibility," the following link is optional.

The Hopeless Romantic Test

13.6 - "PsychAide" Readings & Activities

Learning Through "Hands-On" Doing

The "PsychAide" is organized by weekly modules, beginning with "Week 1."

The PsychAide workbook is loaded with readings, exercises, and aciivities that will enhance your learning of psychology.

It is important to remember that certain assignments will be required from the PsychAide, therefore, always review each week's PsychAide module carefully

Task: Review PsychAide Module #17 - Social Psychology

13.7 - Course Discussion Board

Module #13 - Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

Overview: The purpose of a course discussion board is to allow students and professor an opportunity to interact about topics of common interest. A discussion board is also a fine tool to share commonly asked questions, answers, and concerns.

You are urged to use the discussion board, when you have questions that you think others may wish to know; when you have technical questions or answers that others may wish to know, and to share other useful tidbits with each other. I want each of you to become familiar with the message board system.

Once you have composed your thoughts and written them down in a word application program [i.e., Microsoft word] --- with grammar and spell check---you follow through with posting (copy and pasting) them. Remember, to be sure you also post your comments in the appropriate place in the task boxes that links later in this assignment. You only do this if you are also submitting this ENTIRE assignment as one of your required four online assignments for this course.

Task: In each class module, there will be one thought-provoking course related question or article for which discussion is expected from students. While not always directly related to assigned readings, they have important course-wide implications. You are expected to respond to each TPQ by the end of each class module's deadline Be sure to place the question/article module number (#) in the "subject line" so your classmates will know which module topic you are addressing.

Since there is only one "thought-provoking question or article " (TPQ) due per module during the regular semester, a minimum response of 250 to 500 words is required for each message board TPQ posting. Also, students need to post a TPQ for EACH of the 15 online assignments.

This Assignment's Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

The following link is a graded assignment for the TPQ. (1) Click on the link below, (2) read the TPQ or article, and then (3) respond in the student posting area provided at the end of the article.

Thought Provoking Question #13

13.8 - Assignment #13 Responses

Composing Your Responses To Module #13 (Helpful Directions)

Overview - For each course module there is a major homework assignment that must be completed; usually weekly. Each of these module homework assignments has several tasks. Some entail reading, some include exploring and reviewing websites, reviewing lecture videos, and still others involve written tasks --- work that must be submitted for review and/or grading.

Responses to weekly modules (and the "tasks" within) must be submitted on time or you will either fail the assignment or be severely penalized. Late homework assignments are perceived as both a student who is "absent from class" and "late with work." Please always maintain a backup copy of all your written work. Glitches occur in online technology-based education, but ultimately it is your responsibility to maintain adequate backup of all work submitted. You are also encouraged to compose your work within a word-processing application and then "copy and paste" into the "Blue Book" section at the end of each module. This is so you may avail yourself of spell and grammar check options provided in most modern word processing software.

Please be aware that all submissions are automatically received in the course "grades" section where they will be evaluated by your professor for acceptance, grading, rejection, or acceptance with penalty. So make sure your work is received promptly. Much the same way that attendance is determined by you presence in the traditional classroom at the regularly scheduled class time, so too is attendance determined by your prompt submission of assignments while enrolled in an online course. Furthermore, arriving to class without homework or with incomplete homework is also perceived in the same manner with an online course. Accordingly, you are encouraged to submit you weekly work prior to deadlines, to avoid computer glitches, "downtime," and other "technological spills and inconveniences."

Directions - Each numbered module task should be addressed in the "Blue Book" (response) section of each module.

Be sure to follow directions carefully and precisely when completing each task. "A word to the wise!" Minimal work receives a minimal grade. For example, if a task asks that you provide a written paragraph or two, and you provide just that, then you have provided only minimal work. Simply said, minimal work is "C" work. Well thought out writing that exceeds both excellence and minimal length (word count) and quality requirements is, generally speaking, graded higher and indicative of a "good and solidly motivated student." However length in of itself does not assure quality either, so learn to strike a balance. Good luck!

Particulars - Remember this assignment is due by a certain date or will be penalized. Overly late assignments may NOT be accepted at all. The discretion of the professor rules in all such matters. Was your assignment "Online and Ontime?" Before beginning each weekly module assignment be sure you understand the word count and quality requirements --- 500 to 750 words --- depending on grade desired. See Grading Policy in Course Basics at the Course Syllabus for further information on modules.

ALL students are responsible for completing ALL 15 modules and having a moderate understanding of each. Don't cheat yourself out of a good education.

Module Assignment #13 - Graded Responses Go Here!

Assignment Feedback Form - Hybrid Psych 1A (Module #13)

Dr. J. Davis Mannino - Revised Fall, 2018 (8/26/18)