Two short essay answers
You are provided with a list of 8 questions below. You are expected to choose TWO questions out of the list and write a short essay for each (1000 words per essay). Each question should be answered in a separate section, within the word count. You should support your answer with reference to empirical evidence.
1. Critically explore how “priming” studies have been used in understanding the automatic nature of social behaviour.
2. Discuss the argument that cognitive inconsistency begets attitude change.
3. Critically discuss the view that our evolutionary past has shaped our current social behaviour.
4. Discuss, providing evidence, the role of the anterior insula and the temporo-parietal junction in social cognition.
5. Critically discuss how and when minorities can influence majorities.
6. Critically discuss social psychology’s contribution in reducing prejudices.
7 . In 1992, Ian Parker criticised social psychologists for falling ‘miserably behind’ the intellectual trends taking place outside their own discipline. Use evidence from the literature to critically discuss what he meant by this and how social psychology has responded in the last quarter century.
8 . According to Susan Fiske (2017), when culture is absent, universalism is implied and inferred, or not questioned. Using examples from past and current studies in social psychology, explain what Fiske means and the implications for critically evaluating social psychology research.
