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Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you use research articles to examine how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health.
Social psychology can help us understand our relationships with others.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
- Competency 2: Apply social psychological research and theory to examine social perception, social interaction, and social influence.
- Explain how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others.
- Competency 4: Examine the research methods frequently used in the study of social psychology.
- Describe the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology.
- Describe the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology.
- Explain arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology.
- Explain research findings in the field of social psychology.
- Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
- Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
- Use APA format and style.
Competency Map
CHECK YOUR PROGRESSUse this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course.
- Competency 2: Apply social psychological research and theory to examine social perception, social interaction, and social influence.
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Context
What causes people to be drawn to one another? What happens when one experiences rejection? Human beings are wired for relationships. Unlike some species that do not organize socially, such as koalas and jaguars, humans need relationships. We are what Baumeister and Bushman refer to as cultural animals, immersing ourselves within social groups. Humans engage in relationships of all kinds from family, acquaintances and friends, to romantic partners. Belonging is a basic human need (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014).
Baumeister and Bushman (2014) describe belonging as a human need that requires regular contact and ongoing relationships with at least four to six people. When people have no sustainable relationships or are long distances for extended periods from those they love, whether a friend, family member, or romantic partner, they become lonely and potentially depressed. Feeling lonely and ostracized is associated with aggressive and other antisocial behaviors (Baumeister & Bushman).
As social and cultural beings, humans benefit in many ways from belongingness to a group of people. Research supports that belongingness can benefit physical health as well as mental health (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). Support from people with whom one has stable bonds is associated with higher resistance to disease and higher rates of healing from illness and injury.
Reference
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
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Questions to Consider
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.
- What causes people to be drawn to one another?
- What happens when one experiences rejection?
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Resources
Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Library Resources
The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course. Note: Some of the articles listed are fairly old and are included here because they are considered seminal works in the field.
- Cockshaw, W. D., Shochet, I. M., & Obst, P. L. (2013). General belongingness, workplace belongingness, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 23(3), 240–251.
- Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A. R., Pilkonis, P. A., & . . . Cella, D. (2013).Assessing social support, companionship, and distress: National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship Scales. Health Psychology, 32(3), 293–301.
- Hogg, M. A., & Hains, S. C. (1996). Intergroup relations and group solidarity: Effects of group identification and social beliefs on depersonalized attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(2), 295–309.
- Kaniasty, K. (2012). Predicting social psychological well-being following trauma: The role of postdisaster social support. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4(1), 22–33.
- Major, B., Mendes, W. B., & Dovidio, J. F. (2013). Intergroup relations and health disparities: A social psychological perspective. Health Psychology, 32(5), 514–524.
- Mejias, N. J., Gill, C. J., & Shpigelman, C. (2014). Influence of a support group for young women with disabilities on sense of belonging. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 61(2), 208–220.
- Uchino, B. N., Cawthon, R. M., Smith, T. W., Light, K. C., McKenzie, J., Carlisle, M., & . . . Bowen, K. (2012). Social relationships and health: Is feeling positive, negative, or both (ambivalent) about your social ties related to telomeres? Health Psychology, 31(6), 789–796.
- Wallace, T. L., Ye, F., & Chhuon, V. (2012). Subdimensions of adolescent belonging in high school.Applied Developmental Science, 16(3), 122–139.
Course Library Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide to help direct your research.
Bookstore Resources
The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.
- Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
- Chapters 11 and 12.
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Assessment Instructions
To prepare for this assessment, search in the Capella library for research articles on how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health. Choose two research articles to use in this assessment.
Using the two articles you found, include the following in your assessment. Provide the APA citation for each article.
- Describe the data collection methods used in the studies you selected.
- Describe the designs used in the studies.
- Explain the arguments the authors make to support their positions.
- Explain the findings of the research.
- How might you apply these findings to better understand your own relationships with others?
Your submitted assessment should be 3–4 pages in length excluding title page and reference page. Be sure to follow APA guidelines for format and style. You do not need to use resources other than the two articles you selected, but you may if you wish.
Additional Requirements
- Include a title page and reference page.
- At least two current scholarly or professional resources.
- APA format.
- Times New Roman font, 12 point.
- Double spaced.
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