Writing Assignment #2: Social Psychology Topics - Fall 2025

Read the essay prompts below and respond in the corresponding textboxes.

You have two attempts on this assignment. Once you submit your first response, review the detailed feedback, revise your paper, and submit your final attempt. The purpose of using Class Companion is to help you improve your work in real time while also allowing you the opportunity to improve your grade.

You may use the Class Companion AI Tutor, textbook, lecture PowerPoints, etc. while preparing for this assignment, but everything you submit must be in your own words! Plagiarism in any form will result in a ZERO (0) and a possible failure and withdrawal from the course. This includes copying and pasting from outside sources and the use of ANY AI program (ChatGPT, Quillbot, etc.).
- Hint: Class Companion notifies your instructor of any pasted text, how it was edited, and the final submission. Please do not cheat.

Grading Note: While the feedback provided in Class Companion is a helpful guide, please note that your final grade on this assignment will be based on my review of your work. While the main focus of grading each paper will be on the areas listed in the rubric, points may be deducted if papers are incoherent due to multiple misspellings and grammatical errors.

For this assignment, you will write an essay on two social psychology topics from the list provided.

In this section, choose your first topic and, in your own words and in detail, address the following prompts:

1. Provide a clear description and definition of the topic.
2. Discuss the theorized causes of the phenomenon.
3. Explore additional factors that influence the topic.
   For example, the bystander effect is theorized to result from a diffusion of responsibility, but other factors, such as time pressure can amplify the effect. For instance, when bystanders are in a hurry, they are more likely to exhibit the behavior.

Next, reflect on a time when you personally experienced this topic:

4. Describe an experience where you encountered or observed this topic in real life.
5. Explain how the situation made you feel and what steps you took to resolve or alleviate it.
6. Discuss how this experience has influenced your thoughts and behaviors since, including the emotional impact, the resolution strategies you used, and any lasting changes in your perspective.
   Note: Make sure you choose a social psychology topic that addresses the above prompt to earn full credit. The rubric requires emotional impact, resolution strategy, and changes in cognition and behavior.

In this section, choose your second topic and, in your own words and in detail, address the following prompts:

1. Provide a clear description and definition of the topic.
2. Discuss the theorized causes of the phenomenon.
3. Explore additional factors that influence the topic.

Next, reflect on a time when you personally experienced this topic:

4. Describe an experience where you encountered or observed this topic in real life.
5. Explain how the situation made you feel and what steps you took to resolve or alleviate it.
6. Discuss how this experience has influenced your thoughts and behaviors since, including the emotional impact, the resolution strategies you used, and any lasting changes in your perspective.
   Note: Make sure you choose a social psychology topic that addresses the above prompt to earn full credit. The rubric requires emotional impact, resolution strategy, and changes in cognition and behavior.