Stress Lab
Part I: Perceived Stress Test
Take this self-scoring test, and print your results. Then, compare your
results with some general statistics. Answer the questions that are
asked,
and be prepared to discuss them in class.
-
Take the Perceived Stress Test. Be sure
to
submit only one set of responses! When you receive your score,
print
the screen.
-
Read the Perceived Stress Information
to compare your score to some general data on perceived stress.
-
Is your score what you'd expect, given your demographic characteristics
(age, education, race etc.)? If not, what do you think might account
for
the difference?
-
Hand in your score, and your responses to the questions. (if you prefer
not to hand in your score, then just hand in your responses)
Part II: Retrospection on Conformity
This part of the lab involves your thinking about past events and a
time
when you conformed to social pressure or a social situation when you
"shouldn't
have".
Write a brief paragraph describing the situation and how you responded
or behaved (or as much as you feel comfortable revealing about it),
what
social forces or pressures caused you to conform, and what social
psychological
mechanisms (foot in the door, unanimous majority, etc.) might have been
operating to produce the conformity. The paragraph should be
turned
in to recitation along with the other parts of the lab..
Stress to the Extreme (Optional)
The following sites show what can happen when obedience and other
social
compliance mechanisms become coupled with evil leadership (or unethical
research practices!) and are carried to an extreme.
What To Hand In:
-
Your responses to the stress questions. (if you prefer not to hand in
your
score, then just hand in your responses)
-
Your Retrospection on Conformity response
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