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Professionals in the social sciences investigate human behavior and society for the purpose of understanding why people act the way they do

Professionals in the social sciences investigate human behavior and society for the purpose of understanding why people act the way they do. This investigation can help address a wide variety of social issues, such as the role of social media in the Arab Spring protests, the impact of social skills on future success, racial factors in police violence, and how partitioned grocery carts can help shoppers purchase healthier foods. Social scientists can help address issues such as these through research and investigation.

The summative assessment for this course has two parts. In Project One, you will conduct a research investigation that examines an issue in the social sciences. You will identify appropriate resources for investigating the issue you select, use these resources to apply social science principles to the issue, and develop a question related to the issue. In addition, you will identify an audience who would be interested in the selected issue. In Project Two, you will develop a presentation for the audience you identified in Project One. In your presentation, you will explain how social scientific thinking has affected you and discuss the impact of the issue on your audience, supporting your claims with evidence.

Project One addresses the following course outcomes:

Illustrate the impact of social scientific thinking on personal and professional experiences
Select appropriate and relevant social science resources in investigating contemporary issues in the social sciences
Communicate effectively to specific audiences in examining fundamental aspects of human behavior
Apply essential principles of the social sciences in addressing critical questions related to human behavior
Prompt
In Project One, you will select a contemporary issue in the social sciences to investigate. You may select an issue discussed in the course, or you may select your own with instructor approval. You could consider using your question from SCS 100 if it is something you would like to investigate further for this assessment. After selecting an issue, you will conduct a research investigation, identifying appropriate resources for researching the issue, applying social science principles to your issue, and developing a question related to the issue. You will submit your research investigation as a written report.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

Introduction: In this section, you will discuss your social science issue and select resources that you can use to research the issue. Specifically, you should do the following:
Describe the issue in the social sciences that you have selected to investigate. Why is this issue significant?
Describe at least three social science resources that you could use to investigate the issue you selected. Your sources must be relevant to your issue and must be of an academic nature appropriate for the issue. In your description, consider questions such as these: What are the similarities and differences in the content of your sources? What makes them appropriate and relevant for investigating your issue? What was your thought process when you were searching for sources? How did you make choices?
Body: In this section, you will use the social science resources that you selected to investigate your issue, focusing on an appropriate audience and the social science principles related to the issue. Be sure to cite your sources. Based on your research, address the following:
Identify the social science principles that apply to your issue. In other words, which principles of social science apply to the issue you selected?
Explain how the principles you identified apply to your issue. In other words, how are the social science principles you identified relevant to your issue?
Identify an audience that would be interested in your issue. For example, who would benefit most from hearing your message? Or who could best help in addressing the issue?
Describe how and why you can tailor your message to your audience, providing specific examples. For example, will your audience understand social scientific terminology and principles, or will you need to explain these? How will you communicate effectively with your audience?

Full Answer Section

Social Science Resources:

Journal Article: "The Association Between Social Media Use and Depression in Young Adults" by Primack et al. (2017). This peer-reviewed study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior explores the link between social media use and depressive symptoms in a large sample of young adults.
Book: "iGen: Why Our Kids Are Struggling" by Jean Twenge (2017). This book by a psychology professor delves into the experiences of Generation Z (born mid-1990s to mid-2010s) and explores the potential link between increased social media use and rising rates of anxiety and depression.
Website: The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/) provides reliable information on mental health topics, including resources on technology and mental health.

Rationale for Resource Selection:

These resources offer a variety of perspectives on the issue. The journal article provides a research-based analysis, the book offers a broader societal context, and the NIMH website provides current and credible information for the general public. This combination allows for a well-rounded understanding of the issue.

Body

Social Science Principles:

Social Comparison Theory: This theory, proposed by Festinger (1954), suggests that individuals evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to others. Social media platforms often showcase curated versions of people's lives, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among users.
Social Learning Theory: This theory, developed by Bandura (1977), emphasizes the role of observation and modeling in shaping behavior. Exposure to idealized portrayals of beauty, wealth, and success on social media can create unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction with one's own life.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): This is a social phenomenon characterized by the anxiety of being excluded from social experiences or opportunities. The constant stream of updates and activities on social media can exacerbate FOMO, leading to feelings of isolation and depression.

Application of Principles:

Social Comparison Theory: Comparing oneself to the seemingly perfect lives portrayed on social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy and depression, especially for young people who are still developing their self-esteem.
Social Learning Theory: Observing unrealistic portrayals of success and beauty on social media can create a distorted view of reality and fuel feelings of inadequacy, envy, and dissatisfaction.
FOMO: The constant pressure to keep up with the online activity and social lives of others can lead to anxiety and depression, particularly for individuals who may already struggle with feelings of isolation or low self-esteem.

Target Audience:

Adolescents and young adults (aged 13-25) are the primary audience for this issue as they are the most active social media users and potentially more vulnerable to the negative mental health consequences. However, parents, educators, and mental health professionals also have a stake in understanding this issue to foster healthy online habits and provide support.

Tailoring the Message:

When communicating with adolescents and young adults, using clear and concise language that avoids overly technical social science jargon is important.
Examples and relatable scenarios can be used to illustrate the social science principles discussed.
For parents and educators, providing practical tips on setting healthy boundaries for social media use and fostering open communication about online experiences is valuable.
Mental health professionals can benefit from information about the specific ways social media can impact mental health and strategies for supporting clients who struggle with these issues.

Conclusion

Social media has become an undeniable part of modern life, particularly for young people. While it offers many benefits, it's crucial to acknowledge the potential negative consequences for mental health. By applying social science principles and tailoring the message to specific audiences, we can promote healthy online habits, protect mental well-being, and encourage responsible social media use.

Sample Answer

Project One: Investigating the Social Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Introduction

Social Science Issue: The impact of social media use on mental health, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

This issue is significant because social media has become an undeniable force in our lives, especially for younger generations. While it offers numerous benefits like communication and connection, concerns about its potential negative effects on mental well-being are growing. Understanding the relationship between social media and mental health is crucial for promoting healthy online habits and supporting youth mental health initiatives.