APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (BPCS 188)

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA)

Course Code: BPCS 188

Assignment Code: Asst /TMA /2022-23
Total Marks: 100

NOTE: All questions are compulsory.

Assignment One

Answer the following descriptive category questions in about 500 words each. Each
question carries 20 marks.

3 x 20-60
| Elucidate the applications of social psychology to the various social problems. (20)

2 Deserbe the various treatment and prevention of mental health problems. (20)

3 Explain the techniques used in sampling method, (20)

Assignment Two

Answer the following short category questions in about 100 words each. Each question
carries 5 marks.

Biopsychasocial Model
Diagnosis of Mental Health Problems
Self-Perception and their Academic Consequences
Diversity
Social Psychology and Env ronment
Differences between Basic and Applied Psychology
Relationship between Applied Social Psychology and other Social Sciences
Survey Research.
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Assignment One Answer the following descriptive category questions in about 500 words
each. Each question carries 20 marks. 3 x 20 = 60

1. Elucidate the applications of social psychology to the various social problems. (20)

ANS: 1. Role of Social Psychology in Legal System

In a society, there is enough scope for interaction and when people interact then behavio1 and
judgment ete are affected by various factors like attitudes. emotions, beliefs and cognitions In the
court room or in the legal system, these attitudes and beliefs affect the participants like the judges,
and jury,pleaders,attorney, dependants and witnesses 1n a major way Huge Munster berg started
investing the accuracy in the statements of eyewitnesses at the turn of the century On the basis of
his observations, he pomted out that people have by and large a tendency to 1econstruct events mn
ways that do not match what actually occurred

2. Health psychology:

One of the unportant applications of social psychology 1s m the area of mental health and
psychotherapy.As a bianch of behaviow sciences, it attempts to apply basic psychological
knowledge to both the prevention and cute of mdividual behaviow disoidets which thieatens the
security of either the mdividual o1 the society in which he lives

3. Social Psychology and Work Setting

The study of o1gamizational behaviow: involves what people do in organizational settings In

business, behaviour 1s influenced not only by economic factors, but social psychologyas
well. Weher’s theory of bureaucracy was conceived without any regards for interpersonal dynamics
of awork setting Later Haw thome studies indicated that worker's productivity was increased by
social factois such as attention paid to the wo1kers
Most of the people spend them half of the time at a job outside the home Thus, the study of
organizational behaviour has broad consequences for both employees and employers This field
seeks to understand and predicts human behaviour in o1ganizational settings by means of the
scientific study of individuals, groups and the structure and functions of orgamzation The social
psychologists play a sigimficant 1ole in achieving job satisfaction and assessing its effects, selecting
the right employee, and solving the industrial disputes ete

4. Social Psychology in Community and NationalAffairs

Social psychology 1s very much useful to the human affais particulaily at the community, national
and international levels Foi example, at the community level, meetings a1e conducted to expand
the social awareness of the community and motivates the community to woik jomtly for the
fulfillment of desued goals

5. Social Problem in Military

The application of 1esearch on group dynamics may also be drawn in connection with military job
performance and military o1ganizations The performance of such social units as bomber ciews and
submarine ciews has been explored in terms of variables of leadership, group cohesiveness and
role 1elationships The application of social psychological 1esearch to military organizations ate
essentially parallel to those in business and industry, although moe formalized and rigidly
structured military o1ganizations are essentially analogous to industiial commuuities (Paliwal,
2003)
6. Consumer Behaviour

The behaviour of the individual in advertising, product information, packaging, brand names and
all other factors involved in maiketing products and services come under applied social
psychology Consumer psychology 1s that field which deals with the factors affecting consumet
behaviou1 (Betlman, 1986) All these discussions lead one to conclude that application of social
psychology to organizational and consumer behaviowi is of crucial importance m every aspect of
one’s life. It would really be difficult to conceive any human behaviour where the findings of
social psychology would be inapplicable and urelevant

7. Social Psychology and Social Problems

Social psychology deals with immediate everyday social problems.Of course, it doesn’t directly
offer solutions, but in many ways it contributes useful guidance towaids possible ways of
understanding andworking with these problems

8. Social Psychology in Education

Education is a process of social learning Education 1s a joint endeavor of home, school and society
to bring about a desirable behaviowal change among childien so that they become responsible
citizens Social psychology deals with the behaviour of the individual in a ‘social context’. School
1s a “miniature society” where deliberately planned educational programmes are executed.
The teacher uses verbal communication 1n attempting to shape attitudes, opimons and values of
students. The continued interaction of students with teachers for a longer period shows properties
of organized groups So, the educational research focuses on psychological study of group
dynainics. [herefore,education and social psychology are interrelated.

2. Describe the various treatment and prevention of mental health problems. (20)
ANS

Avoidance of alcohol and other psychoactive agents or drugs

Alcohol and some drugs can pass the blood-brain barier as such have the tendency to alter the
mood, taught, and general behavior of an individual. Is of utmost importance that you understand
your body chemistry and avoid anything that can alter your state of mind.

Learn to meditate

Try meditating, Mindfulness, and prayer Meditation and prayet can mmprove your state of mind
and outlook on life

A reliable source showed that meditation may help you feel calin and enhance your mental health.

Go for healthy meals

Wo1k to make your food serve as drugs A healthy meal impioves you general health and your
mental health is not an exclusion

Always volunteer

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone in need You will feel good about doing
something tangible to help someone in need and it’s a great way to meet new people and also
indirectly unprove your social health

Always volunteer

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone in need You will feel good about doing
something tangible to help someone in need and it’s a great way to meet new people and also
midirectly improve your social health

Treatments for mental health disorders may include:

Medication. Some mental illnesses 1espond well to medication, such as antidepressants and
antipsychotics. These medicines change the chemicals in your brain, so you experience fewer
symptoms It’s very important to take medication exactly as your healthcare provider directs
Never stop taking medication for a mental illness without consulting your healthcare provider.

Psychotherapy Talking to a mental health professional can help you work through the challenges
of an illness and manage its symptoms. Psychotherapy can be in a one-to-one setting with a
healthcare provider or a group settmg. Cogmtive behavioral therapy (CBT)is a form of
psychotherapy. It focuses on helping you change negative behaviors and thought patterns.
Alternative therapies Some mental illnesses, such as depiession, may improve with alternative
therapies Examples include hei bal 1emedies, massage, acupuncture, yoga and meditation Talk to
you healthcare piovider before taking any he1bal1emedies or supplements They may affect othe:
medications

Bram stimulation therapies: Not all disoiders improve with medication. If that’s the case, your
healtheaie provider may recommend biain stimulation therapies These treatments change the way
nerves and other cells m yout biaim process chemicals and iespond to stimuli Examples
include electioconvulsive therapy and transcramal magnetic sumulation (TMS)

3. Explain the techniques used in sampling method. (20)

ANS:
Probability Sampling Methods

This method of sampling involves the random selection of any entity In othe: words, each entity
of such a population has an equal chance of gettmg selected to be part of the
sample Probability sampling methods aie used in quantitative 1esearch. The aim of this sampling
method 1s hypothesis testtng The methods of sampling that fall unde1 this category are as follows:

Simple Random Sampling

When all the members of a population have an equally likely chance of being chosen it 1s known
as the sunple random samplhng technique A selection made using this sampling method 1s pwely
based on chance Such a sampling technique can be conducted by usimg tools like a random numbe1
geneiator or any method that 1s based on only chance

Systematic Sampling

In systematic sampling, the entities of a population are assigned a number and the individuals are
chosen at 1egular intervals Such a sampling technique has a piedefined 1ange as well as a set
starting point and the sampling size can be repeated at regulai intervals

Stratified Random Sampling

In stratified 1andom sampling, the researcher divides the population into non-oveilapping
subgroups based on a particular characteristic The researcher calculates how many entities need
to be sampled from each subgioup on the basis of the proportions of the population Then eithe1
sumple or systematic random sampling 1s used to choose a sample from each subgroup separately
Such a method of sampling ensures accuate representation of each subgroup

Cluster Sampling

In this method of sampling, the reseaicher divides the entire population into subgioups known as
clusters Each subgioup needs to have similar attributes to the whole sample The researcher then
picks out any cluster to fonn the sample rather than choosing mdividuals at random Such a
sampling technique 1s used for large populations, howevet, it is more prone to error as each clustei
could possess substantial differences with 1espect to each other
Non Probability Sampling Methods

This method of sampling involves a non-random sampling technique wherein the samples are
chosen based on certain eritetia This mmplies that not every entity has a chance of getting selected
to be part of the sample Non-probability sampling methods are used in qualitative reseaich
However, this method of sampling 1s more pione to sampling bias 1esulting m weaker conclusions
drawn about the population The aim of this sampling method 1s to develop an initial understanding
of the population The different types of non-probability sampling methods ate as follows:

Convenience Sampling
In convenience sampling, the collection of data fiom the subjects 1s dependent on their ease of
access In other words, the entities that are easily accessible to the researche1 form the sample
This method of sampling 1s used when initial data needs to be gatheied in a cost-effective and
inexpensive way Howevel, the data gathered using this sampling technique may not be
representative of the entire population An example of this method of sampling 1s people standing
at a mall and handing out flyers regaiding a paiticulai cause

Judgemental or Purposive Sampling

Judgemental or purposive sampling 1s used by reseai chers when they need to gather data for a very
specific purpose The ta1get audience ftom which the sample 1s chosen 1s based on the discretion
of the researche1 This method of sampling 1s used when detailed knowledge of a particular
phenomenon needs to be gathered For example, suppose a researcher wants to know the
experiences of disabled students To gather this data, she will purposefully only ask students who
have disabilities about their experiences

Snowball Sampling
Snowball sampling 1s a type of non-p1 obability samplmg in which the researche1s do not have easy
access to the subjects In such a case, they can either track a few categories to interview o1 they
can 1ecruit participants via other participants This sampling technique is used when the study 1s
based on a sensitrve topic o1 the survey is very challenging For example, suppose a survey 1s
conducted on the experiences of people with HIV or AIDS The victims might not be open to
discussing then situation with a reseaiche1 Then the snowball sampling technique 1s used to
collect data for the sample

Quota Sampling

In this method of sampling, the samples are cieated based on a certain set standard and they will
have the same attributes as the entire population Picking 5 men, 5 women, 10 guls, and 10 boys
to determine how much tv they watch per day on average 1s an example of quota sampling.

Assignment Two Answer the following short category questions in about 100 words each.
Each question carries 5 marks. 8 x 5 = 40

4. Biopsychosocial Model
ANS: The Biopsychosocial model was first conceptualised by George Engel in 1977, suggesting
that to understand a person's medical condition it is not sunply the biological factors to consider,
but also the psychological and social factors

Bio (physiological pathology)

Psycho (thoughts emotions and behaviours such as psychological distress, fear/avoidance beliefs,
cuirent coping methods and attribution)

Social (socio-economical, socio-environmental, and cultural factors suchs as work issues, family
circumstances and benefits/economics)

This model is commonly used in chronic pain, with the view that the pain is a psychophysiological
behaviour pattern that cannot be categorised into biological, psychological, or social factors alone
There aie suggestions that physiotherapy should integrate psychological tieatment to addiess all
components comprismg the experience of chronic pain

The diagram below shows an example of this model

The biopsychosocial physical health

model of health disability
Biological
genetic vulnerabilities

\_ circumstances
school social skills
—

Diagram of the Biopsychosocial model

Physiotherapists must know how biopsychosocial factors interact in patients with chi onic pain to
explain the perpetuation of this condition and use it as a basis fo1 planning the mtervention
program. The evidence has suggested a clinical biopsychosocial assessment for the
physiotherapeutic management of patients with chronic pain in order to undetstand and explain
the predonumant mechamsm of pam and psychosocial factors that may or may not be modified for
the patient to improve their condition.
This clinical evaluation is carried out during the data collection at the patient's entrance A practical
guide 1s ploposed to take biopsychosocial data using the PSCEBSM (Pam-—Somatic and medical
factors—Cogmitive factots-Emotional factors-Behavioral factois—-Social factors—Motivation)
model

5. Diagnosis of Mental Health Problems

ANS: It isa very long debate with no solid reason that e1the1 diagnosing mental 1)Iness 1s necessary
or not Both parties have powerful unanswerable aiguments that this debate changes its duection
Now psychologists discuss the pros and cons of diagnosis of a mental disordei rather than its
necessity

The diagnosis of mental disorders 1s very different fiom other physiological poblems There are
no tests, measurements, and scans that work as evidence fo1 a mental disorder It solely depends
on observations, mterviews, rating scales, and other written tests for diagnosing mental health
problems

The othe limitation fo1 diagnosis 1s that only 1eseaich, discussions, and consensus approves 1t
That varies with trme and even eliminated Despite this, for some problems, the criteria are
oveilapped It is hard to find a true diagnosis for a person Two people having more o1 less the
same symptoms get diagnosed differently because the personality taits are diffe1ent

It requires vast experience and expert supervision throughout the period Sometimes it gets hard
for professionals, and they find a mediating way afte1 discussion and give therapy sessions There
ale certain pios and cons of diagnosing mental illnesses that everyone must keep in mind befoie
giving or gettmg a diagnosis

Benefits of Diagnosis.
Once a person gets a diagnosis, it will help hun/her to access special services

Diagnosis helps other psychologists to understand the problem If a patient changes then
psychologists for some ieason, this diagnosis helps identify the problem foi new psychologists

The name of the problem gives them a sense of knowing instead of suspicion

Patients don’t feel alone as they understand other people have it, too. even before their diagnosis.

It becomes easie1 to explain the problem to otheis and professionals when you know the definite
name of the complication

Diagnosis helps m a specific intervention Psychologists get rough ideas for tieatment After the
diagnosis, almost every psychologist prescnbes the sane kind of mtei vention

The patient takes 1t seriously and follows the prescription It creates a sense of responsibility, and
they go after treatment

It gives msight into the problem They get the idea of the issue rather than think of themselves as
crazy
The diagnosis gives a label to a cluste1 of symptoms, experiences, o1 problems
It gives hope and 1educes the anxiety of the unknown

The diagnosis makes people connect to other individuals facing the same type of problem

Specific diagnoses help people identify empiically supported treatments These diagnoses have a
good track of symptom 1eduction and decieased pain For example, 1esponse theiapy and exposure
therapy 1s highly effective for OCD patients

Diagnosis lends a hand to the financial buiden It helps m imsurance rermbuisement as it gives
proof of the problem

The clarity m diagnosis assists in educational or vocational assistance and getting appropriate
medication

Drawbacks for diagnosis.

This field is more about experience and proficiency So sometines, a diagnosis might be diverse
trom each othe1 even if the symptoms are overlapping Different diagnoses from ditferent
psychologists can confuse the patient

A stigma 1s attached to mental health diagnosis that tuins a person into an abnormal human being

Sometunes, elders may ovei-identify with the illness that remfoices the problem For mstance,
they never a hyperactive child to have new experiences

A diagnosis affects personal constramts while ignormg the othe: family and social factors For
exainple, a person 1s depressed because he lost his job, and the word depression 1s not enough to
specify its cause

A diagnosis ignores all othe1 factors that are causing the problem Just like, one person is depi essed
due to failure in exams, and the other lost his gulfriend A psychologist treats the symptoms of
depiession while igno1ing the cause

Thete is a strong limitation that diagnosis is based on Western explanation and do not count othe
cultural explanations

6. Self-Perception and their Academic Consequences

ANS: Self-concept and self-esteem are similar in a lot of ways, but they aren’t
interchangeable You have to undeistand this in o1der to be able to understand how it affects
students’ academic performance. In fact, this area of research 1s key to improving our education
system and the way we teach the youngest members of society Self-concept is the construct based
on the relationships that the subject has with society and their environment Thus, the way you see
yourself significantly influences how you act in different spheres of your life One widely-accepted
definition of academic performance 1s astudent’s learning and response ability In order to
understand this phenomenon, however, you have to understand the different factors that affect it
There are a variety of elements that academic performance depend on Some important and
obvious ones are the students’ aptitude and motivation However, the1e aie other factors that we
can’t forget about. For example, the teacher’s abilities and skills, the educational program, the
school itself, and the student’s family and social environment, among others.

Several studies show that there’s a strong relationship between self-concept and academic
performance That bemg said, how exactly does the latte: relate to the former? According to recent
research, there’s some data worth highlighting:

When people who are close and significant to you evaluate you in some way, it affects how you
see yourself

A student’s self-concept determines academic peiformance because, on a qualitative and

quantitative level, your perception of yourself will have repercussions on the effort it’l] take you
to learn something new, do difficult homework, etc

Self-concept and academic performance have a bidirectional and mutually influential

1elationship If eithe: of these components changes, the whole system changes until it finds a
balance

7. Diversity.

ANS: For the Greater Good Science Center, “diversity” refers to both an obvious fact of human
hfe—nainely, that the1e ale many different kands of people—and the idea that tlus diversity diives
cultural, economic, and social vitality and mnovation Indeed, decades of 1eseaich suggest that
intolerance hurts our well-bemg—and that individuals thrive when they are able to tolerate and
embrace the diversity of the world

‘stl North America, the word “diversity” 1s strongly associated with racial diversity However,
that 1s yust one dimension of the human ieality We also differ m gendei, language, manners and
culture, social roles, sexual orientation, education, skills, mcome and countless other domains In
recent years, some advocates have even argued for recognition of “neurodiversity,” which refers
to the range of differences in brain function

Research shows that differences do make it harder for people to connect and empathize with each
other Navigating differences can be tough, whethei in the classroom, the woikplace, or om
personal 1elationships—and yet people all over the world do 1t every day. It’s a prosocial skill, like
empathy or forgiveness, that can be developed over a lifetime with intentionality, knowledge, and
practice In diverse societies, cultivating our ability to fo1ge relationships across differences can
actually mcrease our well-bemg

8. Social Psychology and Environment

ANS: The use of social psychology principles to solve social issues and make the woild a better
place is called applied social psychology One aiea where applied social psychology has been
extensively explored 1s the area of envuonmental studies Social psychologists have discovered
three ways that social psychology principles can be applied to saving the envionment:
Resolving social dilemmas
Changing social norms

Inducing hypocrisy

Environmental psychologists study such imteractions between humans and then physical
envuonments Tiaditionally, envuonmental psychologists focused on how the physical
environment (e g, buildings, noise, pollution and the weather) affects us More recently, much
reseaich 1s directed at the opposite ielationship: how we affect the environment, fo1 example,
thiough ow eneigy use, water use, vehicle use and land use Social psychology 1s the study of how
people react in social situations, how they think and how they feel Tlis study focuses on how
individuals percerve, interact and influence each other in the social o1ganizations Social
psychology 1s a section of the psychology of an individual it tnes to establish the correlation
between the behavior of the mdividual and the envionment which 1s made up of his colleagues

9. Differences between Basic and Applied Psychology

ANS: Basic psychology focuses piimarily on 1eseaich and theory, while applied psychology uses
the 1esult of the 1esearch and ideas of those theories to try to solve psychological problems in real
world situations. Let’s look at this m more detail. Basic psychology 1s a discipline of observation,
experiment, analysis, and conclusions

Applied psychology uses psychological methods and findings (expernmmental psychology) to solve
problems of the human experience

It is neaily impossible to develop a precise definition for applied psychology due to the sheer scope
of the term Findings are applied in fields like clinical psychology, educational psychology,
forensic psychology, sports psychology and social psychology — nearly every psychological
discipline Unless the field 1s exclusively 1eseaich-based, applied psychology 1s involved

An exainple of the breadth of applied psychology 1s the non-exhaustive sample of topics deemed
apploptiate for the Journal of Applied Psychology, which includes.

individual differences in abilities, personality and othe1 characteristics;

testing and personnel selection;

performance measurement and management,

traming, learning and skill acquisition;

wok motivation:

job attitudes, affect and emotions,

leadeiship;

team development, piocesses and effectiveness;

caieei development,
work—family interface;
wotk stiess, health and well-being:

10. Relationship between Applied Social Psychology and other Social Sciences

ANS: Psychology deals with the behaviour pattern of an individual i relation to the environment
which 1s physical as well as social The external world 01 light, sound, taste, smell, heat, cold, ete ,
constitute the physical environment Parents, 1elatives, frends, enemies, playmates, companions
and all the people with whom an individual comes mto contact and mteracts constitute his social
environment

The individual mind grows and develops through mte1action with the society He develops his
personality thiough social intercourse Thete 1s constant interaction between the md:vidual and the
society

Sociology deals with the nature, origin, and development of society It imvestigates nto mannets,
customs and institutions ofa society 1n all 1ts stages of development from the savage to the civilized
state Hence, psychology 1s intimately 1elated to sociology

Sociology is primarily concemed with the study of the imterrelationships between human
personalities in social gioups It is concerned with the study of the bonds which inter-1elate
individuals in society The nature of mter-personal ielationships has become quite mtelligible
thiough investigations 1 the field of psychology

- 11. Survey Research

ANS: Survey Research is defined as the process of conducting reseaich using surveys that
reseaicheis send to survey respondents The data collected fiom surveys is then statistically
analyzed to draw meanmegful reseaich conclusions

In the 2 lst century, every organization’s eager to understand what their customers think about their
products o1 services and make bette: busmess decisions Reseaiclieis cai conduct 1esearch m
multiple ways, but surveys are proven to be one of the most effective and trustworthy 1esearch
methods An online survey is a method for extracting information about a significant business
matte: from an individual o1 a gioup of individuals It consists of structured survey questions that
motivate the participants to respond, Survey research methods can be derived based on two critical
factors: Survey 1eseaich tool and time =mvolved' to conduct _ research

There are thiee main survey 1esearch methods, divided based on the medium of conducting survey
research:

Online/ Email: Online survey 1esearch 1s one of the most popular survey reseaich methods today
The cost involved in online survey 1eseaich is extremely minunal, and the responses gathered aie
highly accurate
Phone Survey 1esearch conducted over the telephone (CATI) can be useful in collecting data from
a mote extensive section of the taiget population There are chances that the money invested m
phone surveys will be higher than othe: mediums, and the time requued wall be higher

Face-to-face: Researchers conduct face-to-face m-depth mterviews in situations where there is a

complicated problem to solve The 1esponse rate fo1 this method 1s the highest, but 1t can be costly