PSY205 social psychology presentation

Question 1

 Briefly describe and analyse the following concepts, and use one example to illustrate your understanding of each concept.

a) Self-serving attribution

b) Illusion of control

c) Two-step flow of communication

 d) Frustration-aggression theory

Question 2

Psychology professor Lyubomirsky and her colleagues randomly assigned 131 people to either act like an introvert or an extrovert for one week, and the other way the next week. To reduce bias associated with these labels, the researchers gave alternative instructions: To act extroverted, subjects were to be ‘talkative’, ‘assertive’, and ‘spontaneous’; to act introverted, subjects were to be ‘deliberate’, ‘quiet’, and ‘reserved’.

The results surprised the scientists: introverts had elevated moods during the extrovert weeks.

 Adapted from Holohan, M. (September 13, 2019). Acting like an extrovert has a positive effect on happiness, study finds. TODAY. Retrieved from

Develop an argument to discuss the extent you believe that human behaviour affects our attitudes, and the extent you believe that our attitudes predict our behaviour. Apply at least one theory in support of your key arguments.

Question 3

Hong Kong native and New York resident Eunice has been experiencing multiple forms of xenophobia, such as people overtly distancing themselves from her on public transport or making racist comments—including a death threat. “Every time something like this happens to me, I always have a fleeting thought of, like, should I not go out in a mask anymore?” she said. “I should not have to choose my safety over my health.” Since the outbreak of the coronavirus began, reports of racism toward East Asian communities have grown apace. This has expanded beyond East Asian populations: Thailand’s public-health minister appeared to lash out at white foreigners who he said were dirty and spreading the virus in the country, adding that people should be more afraid of Westerners than Asians.

Adapted from Serhan, Y., & MacLaughlin, T. (March 13, 2020). The other problematic outbreak. The Atlantic.

Examine how motivational theories of prejudice can be applied to explain the reported instances of xenophobia during the coronavirus pandemic. Provide at least two recent real-life examples to support your argument.