The Power of the Situation: Real Life

Abu Ghraib:  the infamous prison in Iraq  was once a place of death and torture for Saddam Hussein's regime.  Following the overthrow of the Iraqi dictator in 2003, American forces reclaimed this place as a location to house detainees while they attempted to gain intelligence.  Gradually, the culture of the prison evolved back into what it had previously been: the home of "evil".

Using your knowledge of the studies of Milgram, Asch and Zimbardo, identify what happended at Abu Ghraib and attempt to explain it using the conclusions from these presious studies.

Dedicate three paragraphs to your explanation and be sure to site your sources of information and include at least three pictures relating to your essay.

The Power of the Situation

Sociocultural psychology attempts to explain behavior (including our thoughts) in terms of dispositional and situational factors.  While personality holds some importance in determining behavior, it is thought that situations  - especially those considered to be strong in nature - influence our behavior more than anything else. 

These three studies have shown to be very useful in identifying how situational factors affect us:

Milgram’s studies of obedience to authority (1974)

Asch’s studies of conformity (1956)

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison experiment (1971)

Your assignment is to choose two of the studies listed above, research them in detail and write a brief summary about each.  Your summaries should include:

• the aim of the study
• the basic method of the study
• the results
• the conclusions
• strengths and limitations
• ethical concerns

As always, site your sources of information and provide one picture relevant to each study.

Trait Theory of Personality: The Big Five Test

Answer these questions about Trait Theory and the Big 5 Personality Test:

1. What is the primary focus of trait theory of personality?
2. Explain the differences between cardinal traits, central traits and secondary traits.
3. What are two common criticisms of trait theory?
4. Identify and briefly explain each of the five dimensions of personality according to McCrae and Costa.
5. What are two strengths of McCrae and Costa's five factor model of personality?

The Placebo Effect

Your assignment is to write a 2-3 paragraph, short essay, about the placebo effect.  You should be able to explain what it is, for which conditions is it most often used, how effective is it, why does is sometimes work and is it ethical to use this as a treatment.  Provide examples to back up your statements.  Also, provide at least 2 pictures relevant to your topic.

The Placebo Effect - What is it? Does it really work?

We've all heard of the "Placebo Effect" but what is it, really?  How does it work and does it really work?
We are going to begin study of this perception issue and, hopefully, answer these questions and more.  Your assignment is to read and evaluate one of the articles from the link below.
Your response should include:
1. explain what is meant by "placebo effect".
2. explain what the article is telling us - what did you learn from the article?

3. how do you see this topic relating to the overall topic of perception?

Include one picture illustrating your response and site your article by including the link in your posting.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201201/the-placebo-effect

Optical Illusions: Messing With Your Perception

http://dragon.uml.edu/psych/illusion.html

I Have PTSD...Now What?

PTSD can be treated - like any disorder or disease, there are differing treatments and not everyone responds the same.  Your task is to research the two most common treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment and medical or drug treatment.  Write your posting explaining both treatments:

• Explain briefly how each treatment is conducted
• Explain briefly how each treatment works (be specific)
• Explain how these two treatments can be used in combination with each other.