Ashford PSY 301 Week 2 Discussions

PSY 301 Week 2 Discussion

In this discussion, you will consider theoretical perspectives on the formation, maintenance, and change of attitudes and the cognitive processes that support these thoughts, feelings, and actions.

• Choose any group toward which you have a strong attitude, positive or negative.
  • Possible dimensions from which you may select your group include appearance, race or ethnicity, gender, social class, nationality, sexual identity, (dis)ability, rural versus urban status, geographic region, religious belief, political ideology, incarceration/criminal history, occupational status, military status, and so on.
• Relate stereotypes (thoughts about), prejudice (feelings toward), and/or discrimination (actions) directed toward members of this group on a societal or cultural level, explaining potential causal mechanisms (categorization, social norms, inequality, etc.; see Chapter 6). You may elect to identify your own implicit and explicit attitudes, as well, though this is not required.
  • Use concrete examples to illustrate (e.g., advertisements that depict members of the group in a stereotypical manner, statements you have overheard expressing affective reactions to the group, policies that discriminate in favor or/against the group, etc.). Consider both negative and positive elements.
• Identify situational and social/cultural factors that may influence attitudes toward this group.
• Analyze attitudes toward this group using one or more relevant theoretical perspectives (self-perception theory, cognitive dissonance, theory of planned behavior, etc.; see Chapter 4).
  • Examine the use of heuristics (availability, representativeness, etc.) and errors in judgment (belief perseverance, confirmation bias, the illusion of control, etc.) with regard to this attitude (see Chapter 5).
• Considering positive or negative attitudes toward this or another group might be implicated in a professional setting (see A Class Divided). Identify realistic suggestions to eliminate as much bias as possible in this context (see Pettigrew, 1998).

To fully demonstrate content knowledge and critical thinking, in your Social Thinking discussion

• Interpret course concepts explicitly, applying them to your personal experiences/observations, and cite the required readings as appropriate.
• Be thorough and specific, structuring your work intentionally (with an introductory and concluding sentence or two), providing clear context, and concisely and precisely explaining relevant course concepts.
• Use personal examples to illustrate as appropriate, but do be sure to provide an objective analysis too, referencing required materials and using additional sources as needed to support your insight.
• Use your own Academic Voice(Links to an external site.) and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.
  • Review APA: Citing Within Your Paper(Links to an external site.) for more information.
• Your original post should be a minimum of 300 words.

Apply relevant concepts from the readings to your own experiences and/or cite appropriate outside sources to support your insight whenever possible. Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.

Peer Responses: Review several of your classmates’ posts. Provide a substantive response to at least three of your peers in a minimum of 300 words (each reply), by Day 7 (Monday).

• Discuss alternative theoretical perspectives or concepts that might apply to the attitude your peer described.
• Identify additional examples of cognitive processes that contribute to judgment.
• Ask questions that encourage your peer to more fully consider the impact of stereotypes, prejudice, and/or discrimination on his/her behavior or the targeted group.

Instructor Responses: Review any instructor feedback on your postings. Often feedback is shared to help you to elevate your level of critical thought or make corrections. Reply based on this feedback to advance your understanding of the content addressed.

Note: This entire class includes online quizzes, discussions, assignments, course projects, and online exams.