Purpose: The theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and psychological const

Purpose: The theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and psychological constructs you have learned about in social psychology will allow you to view your world as well as the events and people in it using a new perspective. This final project is an opportunity to apply those insights by looking at a cultural artifact (e.g., a movie, tv series) through the lens of social psychology.
Steps to Complete Project:
Select Target Media: Below are a list of television series, documentaries, and movies that provide ample examples of social psychology in action. You could choose to re-watch something you are familiar with to notice the different perspective you have following this class. Or, you could choose to watch something new. Be sure that you take time to learn about the various pieces of media before making a selection to ensure you enjoy the assignment. Click on each link to learn more about the movie/show/documentary. Full-Length Films: The CreatorLinks to an external site. (2023, PG-13)
Get OutLinks to an external site. (2017, R)
Don’t Look UpLinks to an external site. (2021, R, Netflix)
NimonaLinks to an external site. (2023, PG, Netflix)
Good Will HuntingLinks to an external site. (1997, R)
Turning RedLinks to an external site. (2022, PG, Disney)
I, RobotLinks to an external site. (2004, PG-13, Disney)
ElementalLinks to an external site. (2023, PG, Disney)
You PeopleLinks to an external site. (2023, R, Netflix)
Thank You for SmokingLinks to an external site. (2005, R)
The Stepford WivesLinks to an external site. (2004, PG-13)
BarbieLinks to an external site. (2023, PG-13)
Visioneers Links to an external site.(2008, R)
UsLinks to an external site. (2019, R)
Television Series: If you select a television series, you must watch the equivalent of 2.5 hours (150 minutes) of the show. Given that episode lengths vary, the number of episodes you’ll need to watch for various shows will vary as well. How to Become a Cult LeaderLinks to an external site. (2023, TV-MA, Netflix)
How to Become a TyrantLinks to an external site. (2021, TV-MA, Netflix)
Avenue 5Links to an external site. (2020-2022, TV-MA, HBO Max)
SeinfeldLinks to an external site. (1989-1998, TV-14, Netflix)
The Good PlaceLinks to an external site. (2016, TV-14, Netflix)
Ted LassoLinks to an external site. (2020, TV-MA, Apple+)
The G Word with Adam ConoverLinks to an external site. (2022, TV-MA, Netflix)
Documentaries: The Social DilemmaLinks to an external site. (2020, PG-13, Netflix)
The Antisocial Network: Memes to MayhemLinks to an external site. (2024, TV-MA, Netflix)
The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our SongLinks to an external site. (2021, PBS)
Plan to View the Media: Consider what concepts from social psychology you expect to find in the piece of media you selected. Browse through your textbook and class notes making a list of concepts to be on the lookout for. Review definitions and terminology as needed to help guide your note taking.
View & Take Notes: Watch the media you selected through your newly developed lens of social psychology. Look for examples of concepts like cognitive dissonance reduction or social comparison in action. Use frameworks like the Covariation Model to analyze people’s behavior. Consider various levels of analysis (the individual, the group, society) and the cultural norms and cycles at work in the social context.
Write your Analysis: Demonstrate, through your analysis, your mastery of the student learning objectives listed on the course syllabus. Because I am already familiar with the media being analyzed, you can focus your analysis rather than on summarizing the media. Consider how the piece demonstrates (either accurately or perhaps inaccurately for comedic effect) social psychological tendencies (e.g., social comparison), processes (e.g., cognitive dissonance reduction), and other social psychological phenomenon (e.g., groupthink). Consider the piece of media as a socio-cultural artifact and think about what it tells us about our culture, our in- and out-groups, and our own psychological functioning (e.g., bias, decision-making, self image, attitude formation).
Submit your Analysis: Submit a 500 to 700 word analysis as a text entry or Word document.