Comp Exam
Social Psychology Spring 2005
Note: Be sure to read the
instructions for each section. You will
be answering a different number of questions in each section. Be sure to clearly label the section number
and question number for each of your answers.
1. One of the main areas within social
psychology is symbolic interactionism.
Answer parts a through c about this theoretical perspective.
a. What is distinct about the symbolic interactionist perspective? Explain the theory’s focus and fundamental
ideas/concepts.
b. How has this perspective contributed to our understanding
of social processes? Use specific
examples of work by symbolic interactionists.
c.
What are the limitations of
symbolic interactionism?
2. Answer a. through c. concerning the
theoretical concept of the social diffusion of responsibility.
a. Explain what is meant by “diffusion of
social responsibility.”
b. Describe a
realistic social situation that you believe supports “diffusion
of responsibility,” clearly explaining
the key factors.
c.
Describe a realistic social situation that you believe contradicts
what we would predict from the “diffusion of responsibility” approach; clearly
explaining specifically what it is in this situation that contradicts the
theoretical prediction.
3. The study of affect and emotion has been a
growing area within social psychology.
Two areas which have received considerable attention are affect control
theory and the concept of emotion management.
Choose one of these two areas and answer the following:
a. Provide a careful and thorough description of the
theory/concept.
b. Be sure to define any related concepts which aid our
understanding of either affect control theory or emotion management.
c. How can the theory or concept be used to explain
emotional reactions in contemporary society?
4. Answer a. and b. about Sternberg’s Triangular
Theory of Love.
a. Name AND briefly define the three components of the
“Triangle” in the triangular theory of love.
b. Explain how this approach can be useful in research on love
relationships. Be specific and use examples to support your point.
Section II.
Answer 1 of the following 4 questions.
5. Consider decision-making dynamics within an
institutional group or committee. With this in mind, answer a. through d.
concerning the theoretical concept of groupthink.
a. Explain
what is meant by “group think.”
b.
Describe a realistic social situation that you believe supports
the theoretical concept of
“group think,” clearly explaining the key factors.
c.
Describe a realistic social situation that you believe contradicts
what we would predict from the theoretical concept of “group think,” clearly
explaining specifically what it is in this situation that contradicts the
predictive value.
d.
How might groupthink be a detrimental influence to the decision-making process
and outcome?
6. The social exchange theory of power and
status and the expectation states theory of status characteristics both explain
the development of inequalities in social interaction. How do these approaches differ? Consider the forms of inequality they are
comparing, the assumptions each theory makes, the causal mechanisms proposed,
and any other bases for comparison that you deem relevant.
7. Choose ONE
of the following substantive topics in the group processes area and write an
essay reviewing its theoretical and empirical development. Include major theoretical approaches to the
topic, important empirical findings, and key debates. Finally, offer your recommendations for
future development.
Power Status Equity/Justice Coalition formation Social Dilemmas
8. Consider the question of how/whether and when
personal needs come to be synchronized with those of a collectivity. With this in mind, a. through d. concerning Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs.
a.
According to Maslow, what are the essential personal needs?
b. According to Maslow, how do personal
impulses become transformed into socially useful goals?
c.
Describe a realistic social situation that you believe supports
Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” approach, clearly explaining the key
factors.
d.
Describe a realistic social situation that you believe contradicts
what we would predict from Maslow’s “hierarchy of needs” approach, clearly explaining
specifically what it is in this situation that contradicts Maslow.
Section III. Answer 2 of the following 5 questions.
9. Pick 3 of the following 6 Role
Theory concepts and answer a. through c. for each concept you selected:
Role-taking Image-management Significant Other
Reference-Group Looking-Glass-Self Role-Strain
a.
Provide a careful
and thorough definition of the concept.
b. Give a realistic example of interaction/behavior that
could be used to illustrate the concept, and how this interaction/behavior
would be interpreted within this conceptual approach.
c.
Give a realistic
example of interaction/behavior that would seem to contradict the concept, and
how this interaction/behavior would be interpreted within this conceptual
approach.
10. In a classic article written in 1977, James
House describes the three “faces” of social psychology. If you were to write your own article
describing three faces of social psychology, how would you organize the
field?
a. What would your three “faces” be?
b. Why would you choose those particular “faces”?
c. Which theories and theorists would fall under each face?
d. Would the differences between the faces by purely
theoretical, purely methodological, or both theoretical and methodological?
11. Social psychology theorists have suggested a
number of explanations for how individuals decide on or reconcile themselves to
their behavior. Pick 1 of the following 6 theories and answer a. through c.
Attribution Social Comparison Process Reduction of Cognitive Dissonance
Locus of Control Self-Monitor Balance
a. Provide a careful and thorough explanation of the
theory, including strengths and weaknesses.
b. Give a realistic example of interaction/behavior that
could be used to illustrate the concept, and how this interaction/behavior
would be interpreted within this theoretical approach.
c. Give a realistic example of interaction/behavior that
would seem to contradict the concept, and how this interaction/behavior would
be interpreted within this theoretical approach.
12. A number of theorists provide stage-based
theories of individual development. Pick one of the following three scholars (Freud, Piaget, Erickson) and answer a. through c.
a.
Human development is an integration of the biological, the social, and the
psychological; different developmental theories have different emphases among
these areas. With this in mind, give a brief explanation of the theoretical
orientation of the scholar you selected. Include his relative emphasis among
these areas.
b.
According to developmentalists, certain aspects of psycho-social growth are
outcomes of successfully resolved stages of development. Describe one specific
stage in the developmental process described by the scholar you selected AND the outcome predicted
through successful resolution of this stage.
c.
According to developmentalists, “unresolved” stages of development have
psycho-social consequences. Describe
one specific stage in the developmental process described by the scholar you
selected AND the psycho-social consequences predicted when the stage is not
resolved.
13. Some conception of social structure is found
within the various areas of social psychology.
Choose one of the following areas and answer a through c.
theories
of social structure and personality theories
of the self and social identities theories
of group process and structure
a.
How is social structure conceptualized?
b.
What is the relation between social structure and the individual?
c.
How central is social structure to the framework?