Discussion: Future Directions in Applied Social Psychology
Researchers have shown that an individual’s driving becomes impaired when using handheld and hands-free cell phones because of the demands cell phones pose to one’s attention (Strayer & Johnston, 2001). And yet, only “16 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving” (Governors Highway Safety Association, 2018, para. 2). What factors account for why psychological science may not always transfer to real-world applications?
For this Discussion, you will consider your plans to “give [social] psychology away.” You will also identify a social or practical issue that is likely to garner interest among social psychologists in the near future.
References
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). (2018). Distracted driving. Retrieved from https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/distracted%20driving
Strayer, D. L., & Johnston, W. A. (2001). Driven to distraction: Dual-task studies of simulated driving and conversing on a cellular telephone. Psychological Science, 12(6), 462–466. doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00386
To Prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources, and focus on how social psychology theory and research can be successfully transferred to application. Also, reflect on social psychology’s future and how you will disseminate your knowledge of the field.
By Day 4
Post an explanation of what constitutes successful transferability of social psychology theory and research to application. Next, identify a social or practical issue that is likely to garner interest among social psychologists in the next 5 years. Then, with this issue in mind, describe at least one factor or force that might promote transferability and at least one factor or force that might discourage transferability. Finally, describe how you envision “giving away” social psychology as a scholar-practitioner and agent of positive social change.
Support your response with reference to this week’s Learning Resources and other relevant scholarly literature.
Here are the required reading for this discussion:
Required Resources
Required Readings
Miller, G. A. (1969). Psychology as a means of promoting human welfare. American Psychologist, 24(12), 1063–1075. doi:10.1037/h0028988
Ross, A. S. (2004). Lessons learned from a lifetime of applied social psychology research. Canadian Psychology, 45(1), 1–8. doi:10.1037/ h0086966
Walton, G. M. (2014). The new science of wise psychological interventions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(1), 73–82. doi:10.1177/0963721413512856
Zimbardo, P. G. (2004). Does psychology make a significant difference in our lives? American Psychologist, 59(5), 339–351. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.59.5.339
