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Discussion 1

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapter 1 of your textbook (Feenstra, 2013).  In addition, read Exploring the Ethics and Psychological Impact of Deception in Psychological Research (Boynton, Portnoy, and Johnson, 2013).  Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements. (Not reviewing these each week can affect your performance, be mindful to include these readings in your study time.)

In this discussion, you will consider principles of scientific research, including methodology and ethical considerations.  Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.

1. Visit https://www.socialpsychology.org/expts.htm.  Select any study from the list.  (Note that some links may be broken; if you choose a study that is unavailable, simply pick another option.).  Participate in the research by following the instructions.  After you have completed the study, answer the following questions:

1. Indicate the study you completed, including the web link.
2. Briefly describe the research that was conducted.  What did you do?
3. Discuss the following:  What type of method do you think the researcher was utilizing?  Can you identify the hypothesis and/or theory?
4. Review the research based on your experience.  What elements of the study “worked” and what would you suggest the researchers do to improve their study?
5. Identify any relevant ethical concerns.  Was deception utilized?
6. Summarize what you learned about research in general and social psychology in particular by completing this research.  You may find it helpful to locate additional scholarly sources on the topic to further inform your thinking about the study in which you participated.

Post your initial response of 250 words or more by Day 3 (Thursday).  Respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7 (Monday).  You are encouraged to post one or more of your required replies early each week (e.g., by Saturday) to stimulate more meaningful and interactive discourse in the discussion forum.  In addition, strive to provide a response to classmates who replied to your initial post and/or the Instructor (if applicable).  Peer responses may vary in length but should be carefully crafted and insightful.  Below are some suggestions to assist your thinking.

Guided Response:  Reply to at least two or more peers overall.  The goal of the discussion forum is to foster continual dialogue, similar to what might occur in a verbal face-to-face exchange.  Consider the following in your responses:

• What lingering questions do you have about the research in which your peer participated?
• Can you identify any additional methodological or ethical concerns?

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Discussion 2

To prepare for this discussion, please read Chapters 2 and 3 of your textbook (Feenstra, 2013).  In addition, read Culture as Patterns: An Alternative Approach to the Problem of Reification (Adams and Markus, 2001) and Culture and Self: Implications for Cognition, Emotion, and Motivation (Markus and Kitayama, 1991).  Finally, review Instructor Guidance and Announcements.  In this discussion, you will consider patterns that have shaped your sense of self.  Be sure to use your own academic voice and apply in-text citations appropriately throughout your post.

• Identify some of the primary cultural influences in your life.  (Note that culture can be defined broadly to include a number of dimensions.)  
• Examine your sense of self. 
  • Would you characterize yourself as more independent or interdependent?  Why?  Identify specific examples that illustrate.  You might find it helpful to start by considering Figure 1 and Table 1 in Markus and Kitayama (1991).
• Appraise the consequences of your self-construction. 
  • What are some of the implications of independence/interdependence (for cognition, emotion, motivation, etc.)?
• Analyze your responses to the Twenty Statements Test in the introduction (Post Your Introduction). 
  • Does your description fit with predictions of theory and research findings, as described by Markus and Kitayama (1991)?

Post your initial response of 250 words or more by Day 3 (Thursday).  Respond to at least two of your peers by Day 7 (Monday).  You are encouraged to post one or more of your required replies early each week (e.g., by Saturday) to stimulate more meaningful and interactive discourse in the discussion forum.  In addition, strive to provide a response to classmates who replied to your initial post and/or the Instructor (if applicable).  Peer responses may vary in length but should be carefully crafted and insightful.  Below are some suggestions to assist your thinking.].

Guided Response:  Reply to at least two or more peers overall.  The goal of the discussion forum is to foster continual dialogue, similar to what might occur in a verbal face-to-face exchange.  Consider the following in your responses:

• Do you share a similar cultural background?  Do you characterize yourself similarly?
• What additional patterns in the life of your peer (perhaps as identified in the TST) might have influenced his/her sense of self?
• How could your peers’ differing experiences assist you in better understanding course content?

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.