(My topic is going to be the “Hard to get Effect” using the movie John Tucker must Die)
Assignment: Select a scenario from something you have read, seen, or experienced, related to the class readings and discussion and report on it. This should be a focused observation of social interaction. You have several options:
1) Watch a movie and report on a single scene that can be explained by concepts or theories from the book or readings;
2) Debate about something that has been reported in the media (magazine story, advertising, etc.); 3) Describe a personal experience (someone you know, something you observed or experienced) that can be explained by concepts or theories from the book or readings;
4) Report on new phenomena or research that can be related to the class topics.
Based upon your reading of the chapters, report your assessment of the social psychology topic citing specific concepts or research that supports your positions. A good paper will be focused and apply one to three theories or concepts with lots of good empirical support for the psychological literature.
Length: Long enough to do the assignment in a comprehensive manner. You will probably need about 5 pages to do a good job.
Format: Below, you will find a functional format to utilize for your paper. USE IT AS A TEMPLATE – HEADINGS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. There is a description for each section, make sure that your paper addresses the major questions within each section to ensure full credit.
Paragraph 1: Introduction (5 points): Describe your topic or scenario. Focus on the main points you will be taking in the paper that will be linked to some of the theories or concepts that you intend to draw upon.
Note: introductions are often the first and last parts of the paper that you write. It helps you direct your argument, but will often require revision after you have completed the paper.
Paragraph 2: Assertion (5 points): The general description, in your words, of the social psychology issue and what you identify as possible explanations.
summarize the situation and people within the context of your paper.
Your assertion should be clear and easily understood by the grader. Clarity of your argument will be the focus of this section.
Paragraph 3: Theoretical or Conceptual Explanation(s) (10 points): A theory or concept, from the book of class discussion, that logically supports or refutes your assertion.
Describe theoretical or conceptual explanations for the situation. Which theories, concepts or hypotheses help explain your assertion?
This is the theory, use what you’ve learned in class and apply it to the scenario.
Paragraphs, 4, 5, and 6: References/Empirical Evidence (20 points): evidence of data resulting from field or laboratory study found in journal articles (you do not have to collect data). Each paragraph should summarize the study you are citing. You should not discuss your scenario in these paragraphs.
You should use at least 3 external articles (not the textbook), more if necessary. If you feel that one external reference summarizes all of your arguments, then you should find 2 more that repeat and support the original article (perhaps under difference contexts…).
You must cite empirical support from psychological journals. These are easily located in PsychInfo at the library’s electronic resources.
Conclusion (5 points): Use this part to review the points in your paper and review the greater significance of your paper. The conclusion should not include new material.
APA Style (3 points): Your paper must be in APA format! Guidelines can be found in the “External Links” on Blackboard. From APA format, we would like to see a Title page, pagination and headings, citations, and a reference page.
Grammar (2 points): You must proofread your paper! Your grammar will be graded.
Please follow the submission instructions provided in class.
