Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you examine scholarly research articles about a chosen theory or concept, describe the theory or concept in terms of your own experience, and explain how the theory or concept increases awareness of social perception, social interaction, or social influence.

Applying theory to a real-life situation facilitates understanding.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide to help direct your research.

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Internet Resources

Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have either been granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.

• WGBH Educational Foundation. (2001). Understanding research. Annenberg Learner. Retrieved from http://www.learner.org/series/discoveringpsychology/02/e02expand.html
• McLeod, S. (2007). Social psychology. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/social-psychology.html

Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.

• Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 
  • Chapters 1 and 2.

Assessment Instructions

Preparation

Select one of the social psychology theories or concepts of interest to you from the list below:

• Self-perception theory.
• Agent self.
• Appraisal motive and self-enhancement motive.
• Self-handicapping.
• Self-serving bias.
• Over-justification effect.
• Confirmation bias.
• Actor-observer bias.
• False consensus effect and false uniqueness effect.
• Theory perseverance.

Once you have selected your theory or concept, search in the Capella library to locate two scholarly research articles on the theory or concept.

Instructions

Use these articles to complete the following:

• Explain the theory or concept you selected.
• Describe the purpose of the study.
• Describe the research methods used in each of the studies.
• Explain the research findings for each study.
• Describe how you have personally observed the theory or concept in practice.
• Explain how the theory or concept, along with the research findings, increases awareness of social perception, social interaction, or social influence.

Your submitted assessment should be 3–4 pages in length, excluding title page and reference page. You are not required to use resources other than the two articles your assessment is based on; however, you may do so if you wish. Be sure that you follow APA guidelines for format and style.

Additional Requirements

• Include a title page and reference page.
• Times New Roman font, 12 point.
• Double spaced.