Thinking, Feeling, and Believing

Introduction

If you could learn how your thoughts may interfere with your own happiness and success, would you want to know? Social psychologists study how our social cognitions (thoughts, attitudes, beliefs) influence our happiness and behavior. Research findings tell us that social cognition has the ability to shape and predict behavior. The more self-knowledge and self-awareness we have, the more intentional we can be about our behavioral choices and the more we can resolve conflicts between ourselves and the social world.

Equally important is looking at how emotions are both helpful and hurtful in decision making and to what extent our emotions may be manipulated by others. Emotional regulation is part of emotional intelligence. Without an ability to self-regulate emotion, a concept known as affect regulation, emotions can fuel depression, aggression, and other self-defeating behaviors.

For this assessment, you will complete a media piece and template in which you apply theories and concepts from social psychology related to biases in our thinking, the development of our beliefs, and social influence. You will also apply behavioral ethics and critical thinking concepts. Being a successful practitioner requires us to understand the importance of ethical behaviors. The behaviors we demonstrate will directly influence those we interact with on a daily basis. In addition, the behaviors of others will influence us and our professional practices. Therefore we want to ensure that we behave ethically and have a positive influence.

Instructions

Using the Thinking, Feeling, and Believing Template [DOCX]:

• Summarize the case study.
• Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to a particular theory.
• Apply a social psychological theory to a chosen case study.
• Explain how social psychological research studies relate to a particular social psychological theory.
• Apply an ethical reasoning concept to a chosen case study.
• Apply a critical thinking concept to a chosen case study.
• Review the key points.
• Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
• Use APA-style citations and book, journal references, website, magazine, and blog posts.
• Utilize various resources including journals, books, websites, magazines, or blogs.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA Style and Format guidelines.
• Resources: Minimum of two scholarly or professional resources.

Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save this learning activity to your ePortfolio.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Select credible and scholarly sources in the field of social psychology using information literacy and research skills.
  • Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to a particular theory.
• Competency 2: Apply social psychological theory to topics in the field.
  • Apply a social psychological theory to a chosen case study.
• Competency 3: Apply social psychological research to topics in the field.
  • Explain how social psychological research studies relate to a particular social psychological theory.
• Competency 4: Apply ethical reasoning to social psychology topics.
  • Apply an ethical reasoning concept to a chosen case study.
• Competency 5: Apply critical thinking to social psychology topics.
  • Apply a critical thinking concept to a chosen case study.
• Competency 6: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
  • Create a text in the third person, adhering to conventions of academic tone.
  • Use APA-style citations and book, journal references, website, magazine and blog posts; other references may be missing elements.