Question

Directions: Briefly review your notes and textbook to identify what you believe are five important or influential social research studies conducted throughout history. Be sure to cite your references- this can be the textbook. Reference(s) should be cited at the end of the student’s initial post.

An example is shown below:

Research Study

Researcher Name

How it relates to social psychology and why is this study important?

1. Obedience to Authority

("Shock Study")

Stanley Milgram

Social psychologist Stanley Milgram researched the effect of authority on obedience and why individuals continue to obey authority when told to and how that authority was learned. He concluded people obey either out of fear or out of a desire to appear cooperative--even when acting against their own better judgment and desires.

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Submission

Answer 1

Research Study

1. **Obedience to Authority ("Shock Study")**
**Stanley Milgram**
Stanley Milgram's study on obedience demonstrated how ordinary people can commit harmful acts when instructed by an authority figure. This research is significant in social psychology as it highlights the conflict between personal conscience and the demands of authority, contributing to the understanding of atrocities committed under authoritative pressure.

2. **The Bobo Doll Experiment**
**Albert Bandura**
Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment explored observational learning and aggression by demonstrating that children imitate aggressive behaviors exhibited by adults. This study is crucial to social psychology as it introduced the concept of social learning theory, emphasizing the role of observation and modeling in behavior acquisition.

3. **The Stanford Prison Experiment**
**Philip Zimbardo**
Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment investigated the psychological effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment. This study is significant for illustrating how situational factors and social roles influence behavior, emphasizing the impact of systems and environments on individual choices and actions.

4. **The Asch Conformity Experiments**
**Solomon Asch**
Asch's experiments on conformity highlighted how group pressure can lead individuals to conform to incorrect majority opinions, even when they know the answers are wrong. This work is essential in social psychology as it demonstrates the power of social influence and the dynamics of group behavior.

5. **The Longitudinal Study of Social Behavior**
**Leonard A. Jason et al.**
This study evaluated how social support, peer relationships, and community engagement influence mental health outcomes over time. Its significance lies in the exploration of social determinants of health, showcasing how social factors can profoundly impact individual well-being and collective mental health trends.

**References**:
- Myers, D. G. (2018). *Social Psychology* (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2019). *Social Psychology* (10th ed.). Pearson.
- Bandura, A. (1977). *Social Learning Theory*. Prentice Hall.
- Zimbardo, P. G. (1973). *The Stanford Prison Experiment*.
- Asch, S. E. (1951). "Effects of Group Pressure Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments." In *Groups, Leadership and Men* (pp. 177–190).

Feel free to adjust or add more references based on your course material!