Extra Credit Blog :)

A) The 5 "sexiest" theories in my opinion in social psychology are:

1. Social Facilitation just because it explains so much of why some things happen to me. Plus, research with cockroaches! Not only did they use cockroaches for some studies, but they even made little roach audience boxes for the spectator roaches. How could social facilitation not be on the list?
2. Affective forecasting because I think it is one of the most interesting things that we have learned about and has really changed how I think about my future emotions. It also makes me feel a little better that lottery winners are not any happier than me in the long run. :) I also loved reading about it in my book project book, Stumbling on Happiness.
3. Spotlight effect because it saves you on a bad hair day and it is one of those things that my friends are probably annoyed about hearing all the time.
4. Self-fulfilling prophesy because it is one of those things that still amazes me every time I read about it. I thought that the article that we had to read that was about self-fulfilling prophesy in the classroom was one of the most interesting articles from this year, and it really shows how social psychology can be applied in so many different situations.
5. Triangular theory of love because it is a theory about love! I had no idea that there was so much interesting research on love and relationships. I also like theories and concepts that are really broken down and organized into different parts (Kind of like the two routes to persuasion with the source, message, and audience variables).
--I forgot to leave a spot for cognitive dissonance! It's one of those theories that I will never forget because I think it is that interesting. Not only is the idea that we change our attitudes just so it matches our attitudes interesting, but also the fact that we really don't realize this is the reason for our attitude. I also thought the grasshopper study was funny. :)

B) My 5 favorite social psychologists are:

1. MIlgram because although his research on obedience would be unethical today and really made me cringe when we watched that video, it was super cool to read about and I almost wish we could do stuff like that today.
2. Zanjonc because he has the best name ever and I really liked his research on social facilitation...it's those roaches!!
3. Cialdini because of all of his research on compliance. I love that I now have valid ways of getting people to do what I want them to do. :) I also really liked the idea that he went "undercover" to learn more about what he was researching.
4. Gilbert because affective forecasting and anchoring and adjustment will be concepts that I will never forget and because of Stumbling on Happiness!
5. Stanovich because I really like the vividness effect and loved reading his book last year.
--Bonus favorite social psychologist: Dr. G!! Because we wouldn't know any of this stuff without her!!! :)