Instruction
Part A
Explain how variables such as social interactions, cognitive processes, environmental variables, cultural context, and biological factors shape social psychology and how it is practiced.
Analyze why the experimental method of research often provides evidence about social behavior and thought that is more informative than systematic observation or the correlational approach.
Explain and discuss the theories of attribution discussed in your text.
Explain and discuss potential sources of error in the area of attribution.
Part B
Discuss the topic of social cognition and in particular the role of heuristics in the way we process information. Briefly describe two different heuristics and give examples of how and when they might be used as well as problems connected with their use.
Discuss schemas: their effects, how they are activated, the perseverance effect, and their tendency to become self-fulfilling.
Fully explain the difference between automatic processing and controlled processing of information and provide an example of each.
Discuss the phenomena of persuasion and the cognitive processes that underlie it.