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PYC3711 ACTIVITIES
UNIT 1:
1. Define the term social psychology
Social psychology is a subcategory of psychology that focuses on the social interactions of individuals within society. It examines
how people function in social settings, emphasizing that humans are not only individuals but also social beings. The discipline
explores the social aspects of life and derives knowledge from how people understand society.
2. Explain social behaviour in a South African context
Social behaviour in South Africa is shaped by historical and cultural influences. Social norms and guidelines, established by
communities and society, determine social interactions. South Africa’s diverse history, including its past of racial oppression and
intergroup conflicts, plays a crucial role in shaping social behaviour. Concepts such as ubuntu, which emphasizes
interconnectedness and shared humanity, are central to understanding social interactions in the South African context.
3. Validate the importance of and need to historicise social experiences such as violence, aggression, and intergenerational
trauma
current social behaviours, including violence and aggression, have historical roots. South Africa's past of racial oppression and
exposure to traumatic events has led to intergenerational trauma, meaning that past experiences continue to shape present social
dynamics. Understanding the history behind social ills allows for the development of strategies to address and reduce them.
4. Examine the significance of African epistemological exploration of ubuntu, interpersonal relationships, and intimacy
African epistemologies, which emphasize African ways of meaning-making. The concept of ubuntu is explored as a framework for
social relations, reinforcing the idea that human beings are interconnected. The study of relationships and interpersonal
connections is also approached from a culturally diverse perspective, allowing for an understanding of different ways in which
relationships are formed and maintained.
5. Reflect on the importance of perception and cognition in determining social behaviour
Perception and cognition are crucial in shaping how individuals interpret social interactions. The module discusses how cognitive
processes influence how people process and make sense of social information. These processes determine behaviours such as
prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, which can be addressed through awareness and strategic interventions.
UNIT 2:
Many of our most important life decisions require us to sift through lots of information. However, when the information is complex
and confusing, how do we make a decision?
Feedback
Think about the following: When there are too many choices to make, do you attempt to decide “rationally” by systematically
weighing all the pros and cons, or might you instead decide based on some simple strategy?
Critically comment on the following statement: “feelings shape thought and thought shapes feelings”.
Feedback
Our thoughts can regulate our feelings. For instance, when we feel “down” or “depressed”, we often engage in activities that we
know might be bad for us in the future, but they make us feel better, at least temporarily.
Explain schema in your own words and provide an example where schema is used in real-life situations.
Feedback
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Hint: Think about loadshedding. What comes to mind when you look at the loadshedding schedule? Are there certain important
things that need to be done before loadshedding?
Identify and describe the five basic channels of non-verbal communication.
Feedback
Facial expressions allow us to ascertain the emotional state of a person. They may occur in a variety of combinations to express a
much wider array of responses and reactions. Eye contact is usually seen as a friendly and a positive interaction cue. Being unable
to see someone’s eyes during an interaction may make us very uncomfortable. Body movements: A large number of movements or
self-manipulations may be a sign of emotional arousal or nervousness. Body postures may also tell us about another person’s
emotions or traits. Research on ballet postures found that diagonal and angular postures are interpreted as dangerous or
threatening, while warm sympathetic characters tend to adopt more rounded postures. Appropriate touching can convey quite a lot
of information and is typically perceived positively by the person being touched. If the touch is viewed as inappropriate, it could
have a negative impact on the perceptions of the person doing the touching
Critique the following statement: “our current moods often influence our interpretations of the motives behind people’s
behaviour”.
Feedback
Hint: Consider the following: Positive affect tends to promote attributions of positive motives, whereas negative affect tends to
encourage attributions of negative motives.
It is said that we often attribute our own and others’ behaviour to personal dispositions when the behaviour was in fact caused by
the situation. Explain why and when this is so. Refer to the function of attributions and attribution errors. You may use personal
examples to illustrate these biases.
Feedback
Consider the following scenarios as hints to the answer:
• You arrange to meet someone at a restaurant, but she doesn’t show up.
• You send several texts to a friend, but he never responds.
• You expect to get a job promotion, but you don’t get it.
UNIT 3:
, Page |3
PYC3711 ACTIVITIES
UNIT 1:
1. Define the term social psychology
Social psychology is a subcategory of psychology that focuses on the social interactions of individuals within society. It examines
how people function in social settings, emphasizing that humans are not only individuals but also social beings. The discipline
explores the social aspects of life and derives knowledge from how people understand society.
2. Explain social behaviour in a South African context
Social behaviour in South Africa is shaped by historical and cultural influences. Social norms and guidelines, established by
communities and society, determine social interactions. South Africa’s diverse history, including its past of racial oppression and
intergroup conflicts, plays a crucial role in shaping social behaviour. Concepts such as ubuntu, which emphasizes
interconnectedness and shared humanity, are central to understanding social interactions in the South African context.
3. Validate the importance of and need to historicise social experiences such as violence, aggression, and intergenerational
trauma
current social behaviours, including violence and aggression, have historical roots. South Africa's past of racial oppression and
exposure to traumatic events has led to intergenerational trauma, meaning that past experiences continue to shape present social
dynamics. Understanding the history behind social ills allows for the development of strategies to address and reduce them.
4. Examine the significance of African epistemological exploration of ubuntu, interpersonal relationships, and intimacy
African epistemologies, which emphasize African ways of meaning-making. The concept of ubuntu is explored as a framework for
social relations, reinforcing the idea that human beings are interconnected. The study of relationships and interpersonal
connections is also approached from a culturally diverse perspective, allowing for an understanding of different ways in which
relationships are formed and maintained.
5. Reflect on the importance of perception and cognition in determining social behaviour
Perception and cognition are crucial in shaping how individuals interpret social interactions. The module discusses how cognitive
processes influence how people process and make sense of social information. These processes determine behaviours such as
prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, which can be addressed through awareness and strategic interventions.
UNIT 2:
Many of our most important life decisions require us to sift through lots of information. However, when the information is complex
and confusing, how do we make a decision?
Feedback
Think about the following: When there are too many choices to make, do you attempt to decide “rationally” by systematically
weighing all the pros and cons, or might you instead decide based on some simple strategy?
Critically comment on the following statement: “feelings shape thought and thought shapes feelings”.
Feedback
Our thoughts can regulate our feelings. For instance, when we feel “down” or “depressed”, we often engage in activities that we
know might be bad for us in the future, but they make us feel better, at least temporarily.
Explain schema in your own words and provide an example where schema is used in real-life situations.
Feedback
, Page |2
Hint: Think about loadshedding. What comes to mind when you look at the loadshedding schedule? Are there certain important
things that need to be done before loadshedding?
Identify and describe the five basic channels of non-verbal communication.
Feedback
Facial expressions allow us to ascertain the emotional state of a person. They may occur in a variety of combinations to express a
much wider array of responses and reactions. Eye contact is usually seen as a friendly and a positive interaction cue. Being unable
to see someone’s eyes during an interaction may make us very uncomfortable. Body movements: A large number of movements or
self-manipulations may be a sign of emotional arousal or nervousness. Body postures may also tell us about another person’s
emotions or traits. Research on ballet postures found that diagonal and angular postures are interpreted as dangerous or
threatening, while warm sympathetic characters tend to adopt more rounded postures. Appropriate touching can convey quite a lot
of information and is typically perceived positively by the person being touched. If the touch is viewed as inappropriate, it could
have a negative impact on the perceptions of the person doing the touching
Critique the following statement: “our current moods often influence our interpretations of the motives behind people’s
behaviour”.
Feedback
Hint: Consider the following: Positive affect tends to promote attributions of positive motives, whereas negative affect tends to
encourage attributions of negative motives.
It is said that we often attribute our own and others’ behaviour to personal dispositions when the behaviour was in fact caused by
the situation. Explain why and when this is so. Refer to the function of attributions and attribution errors. You may use personal
examples to illustrate these biases.
Feedback
Consider the following scenarios as hints to the answer:
• You arrange to meet someone at a restaurant, but she doesn’t show up.
• You send several texts to a friend, but he never responds.
• You expect to get a job promotion, but you don’t get it.
UNIT 3:
, Page |3
