PSYC 340- Applied Social Psychology-
Athabasca U. Questions with correct
answers and Rationale 2026
EXAM QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1) UNIT 1 ✓ The ultimate goal is to effect
positive change and improve the
What challenges does the functioning of people.
application of social psychology
face? Interventions developed by applied
social psychologists are value-
laden in that the psychologists'
values play a role in determining
what social and practical problems
to address, including which people
should be targeted for change and
what should constitute change.
, Thus, the goal of control through
intervention is sometimes
controversial.
There is also the struggle that all
psychology faces in regards to
being recognized as actual
science.
Social psychology is the study of
how individuals think, feel and
behave in a social context. Social
psychology seeks to understand
how people influence and relate to
one another.
Studying subjective topics like this
is difficult.
2) What are the core values of social ✓ - Accuracy: precise, error-free
psychology as a science? measurement and collection of
data.
-Objectivity: minimization of bias
in data collection and testing
-Skepticism: refusing to believe
, findings and conclusions without
vigorous verification.
-Open-mindedness: readiness to
accept as valid evidence, that
which may be inconsistent with
one's initial, and perhaps strongly
held, beliefs or theories.
-Ethics: acceptance of the
absolute importance of ethical
behaviour in conducting research
A core assumption of social psych
is the behaviour of individuals is
strongly influenced by the social
context
3) Describe the scientific process. ✓ A scientist makes an observation
and asks questions of some
phenomenon. A hypothesis is
made that tries to explain the
question. The hypothesis
generates predictions, or specific
statements that can be directly
tested, and then the test results
, either support or reject the
hypothesis.
Description: entails identifying
and reporting the details and
nature of a phenomenon-often
distinguishing between types of
phenomenon and recording its
frequency. Achieving accurate
descriptions of phenomena is one
aspect of understanding
(operational definitions).
Prediction: knowing which factors
are systemically related
(correlated).
Determining Causality: Changes
in one factor produces changes in
the other factor. Correlation does
not mean causation.
Explanation: Entails establishing
Athabasca U. Questions with correct
answers and Rationale 2026
EXAM QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1) UNIT 1 ✓ The ultimate goal is to effect
positive change and improve the
What challenges does the functioning of people.
application of social psychology
face? Interventions developed by applied
social psychologists are value-
laden in that the psychologists'
values play a role in determining
what social and practical problems
to address, including which people
should be targeted for change and
what should constitute change.
, Thus, the goal of control through
intervention is sometimes
controversial.
There is also the struggle that all
psychology faces in regards to
being recognized as actual
science.
Social psychology is the study of
how individuals think, feel and
behave in a social context. Social
psychology seeks to understand
how people influence and relate to
one another.
Studying subjective topics like this
is difficult.
2) What are the core values of social ✓ - Accuracy: precise, error-free
psychology as a science? measurement and collection of
data.
-Objectivity: minimization of bias
in data collection and testing
-Skepticism: refusing to believe
, findings and conclusions without
vigorous verification.
-Open-mindedness: readiness to
accept as valid evidence, that
which may be inconsistent with
one's initial, and perhaps strongly
held, beliefs or theories.
-Ethics: acceptance of the
absolute importance of ethical
behaviour in conducting research
A core assumption of social psych
is the behaviour of individuals is
strongly influenced by the social
context
3) Describe the scientific process. ✓ A scientist makes an observation
and asks questions of some
phenomenon. A hypothesis is
made that tries to explain the
question. The hypothesis
generates predictions, or specific
statements that can be directly
tested, and then the test results
, either support or reject the
hypothesis.
Description: entails identifying
and reporting the details and
nature of a phenomenon-often
distinguishing between types of
phenomenon and recording its
frequency. Achieving accurate
descriptions of phenomena is one
aspect of understanding
(operational definitions).
Prediction: knowing which factors
are systemically related
(correlated).
Determining Causality: Changes
in one factor produces changes in
the other factor. Correlation does
not mean causation.
Explanation: Entails establishing
