What is Beautiful is Good

The attractiveness stereotype suggests that people assume the more attractive one is, the more positive qualities they possess. This idea dates back as far as Edward Thorndike's work in the 1920s on the "halo effect."  In 1972, Dion, Berscheid, and Walster published a critical study on the attractiveness stereotype: What is Beautiful is Good. 


After reading the study, What is Beautiful is Good, what are your reactions? Have you witnessed this theory at play in your own life?  Blog about your reactions to this study. 


Then, search for another article or study that relates to this topic. How do we continue to see this stereotype at play today? Has it changed? Write a brief summary of your article and provide a hyperlink (go to insert link in your reply so it is an active hyperlink) to your article in your post. (If you download an article from Ebsco and cannot post a link, give us the full APA reference and bring in a copy to class). 

References

Dion, K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What is beautiful is good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 24(3), 285-290.

Violate a Social Norm

Most of us follow social norms unconsciously, but if asked to break one, have a very difficult time. In order to understand how powerful these norms are, I challenge you to break one! Consider any of the following norms (feel free to create a new one!): board a public bus and sing out loud, get into an elevator with other people and face backward, join someone who is sitting alone at a restaurant, wear your clothes backward. This website offers a great list of common social norms to break.  

Describe your initial feelings; the events that occurred; others’ reactions to you; and your own reaction. 

After your experiment, describe your opinion on social norms? How do they affect society as a whole? Do we need them?  It will be uncomfortable, but fun!

• NOTE— please do not do anything illegal or unsafe (e.g. walking through a drive-through is creative but dangerous).  

Please write your post by Tuesday 3/27/12

Psychopaths Everywhere?

I'm sure we have all called someone a psychopath or referred to someone as a "psycho". Whether it be an ex-boyfriend, a teacher, or even your parents. But do these people really meet the criteria? Are we misdiagnosing people based on interactions that we have had? Are we passing judgment based on their true character or just on the situation that we have had where the person acts a little crazy or doesn't agree with us? (Oh yeah, I can be deep) :)

If you want here's the article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dirty-minds/201203/psychopaths-everywhere

It Is Motivating to Belong to a Group?

As we all know, since senior year is coming to and end, most of us are having difficulty making ourselves do homework or study for a test. It seems now more than earlier, that some people are putting things off to the very last minute.

The article I found asks if it's motivating to belong to a group. Do you think working in groups motivates you? Or are you better working alone? Are you a procrastinator, and if you aren't, what do you do to get your work done on time?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201203/it-is-motivating-belong-group

"Energy Vampire"

Aside from the vampires in movies, have you ever met an 'energy vampire'? How'd you deal with it? Did you agree with the author's advice and descriptions of an 'energy vampire'? How will you approach the "energy vampire" in your life next time?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201203/dealing-people-who-drain-you