2008PSY Social and Cultural Psychology

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Choose only ONE (1) of these to answer

1.
Cognitive
dissonance theory (Aronson, 1992;
Festinger, 1957) proposes that people experience psychological
discomfort when they hold inconsistent attitudes and/or behaviours. Drawing on this theory, dissonance-based intervention approaches have been developed with an aim of improving body image. In your
essay, describe cognitive dissonance theory and the principles that underlie
dissonance-based body image interventions.
Present and critically evaluate research investigating the effectiveness
of such interventions for improving body image.
Discuss cultural considerations relevant to evaluating this evidence.

Note: Given the difficulty of obtaining Festinger’s
(1957) monograph, Aronson’s (1992) paper has been set as one of the starting
references as it provides a good summary of cognitive dissonance theory.

2. The Yale
model of persuasion (Demirdöğen, 2010; Hovland, Janis, & Kelley, 1953) proposes
that the credibility of the
source of communication is one factor that influences the success of a
communicator’s persuasive endeavours.
Drawing on this model, persuasive communications involving credible
sources have been developed with an aim of creating positive consumer
attitudes and behaviours towards a product. In your essay, describe the
Yale model of persuasion and its hypotheses regarding the impact of source credibility
on the persuasiveness of a communication. Present and critically evaluate
research investigating the effectiveness of communications involving credible
sources on creating positive consumer attitudes and behaviours. Discuss cultural considerations relevant to
evaluating this evidence.
Note: Given the difficulty of
obtaining Hovland et al.’s (1953) paper, Demirdöğen’s (2010) paper has been set
as one of the starting references as it provides a good summary of the Yale
model.

In
relation to the issue specified in the question, your essay needs to:
· convey the knowledge and ideas that have been
established regarding the social psychological theory/model central to the
research
question
·
describe, summarise, and integrate research
regarding the theory/model
·
highlight strengths and limitations/gaps of the
research regarding the current theory/model
·
address cultural considerations relevant to
evaluating the theory/model and research
·
draw conclusions regarding the current state of
the theory/model and research

The
questions below have been structured to help you achieve these aims. The
questions are like a simple recipe for a literature review: introduce; describe
model; review the relevant literature; discuss cultural issues; conclude.

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