P SY 149: R ELATIONSHIPS IN THE R EAL W ORLD P ROJECT P APER
DUE: W EDNESDAY , S EPTEMBER 5, 2012
A
SSIGNMENT
: To give you a chance to be creative and to apply what you have been learning in class, you will select and complete one (1) of the three assignments detailed below.
D
ETAILS
:

APA-style cover page with your PERM number; do not include your name!

4-5 pages of text

12 point, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, Times New Roman font

Print the rubric and staple it to your paper

APA-style reference page with at least three (3) academic references o From a peer-reviewed social psychology journal

For example (but not limited to) Journal of Social and Personality
Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Personal Relationships, Sex Roles o You may use any of the articles or textbook readings assigned this quarter as one of your choices, but you must include at least 2 sources you have found yourself o If you choose to review popular sources of advice, they must be cited properly but do not count toward your 3

Your paper analysis must be typed and well-edited . Your paper will be evaluated in terms of critical thinking, application of course material, and depth of analysis. Poor editing and writing will affect your grade.

You need to discuss at least three separate theories or concepts from class . Underline each important term or theory when you introduce it, and define it before applying it in your analysis. If you finish your paper and you have nothing (or very little) underlined, it is a good indication that you have simply explained the source, your tips, or the movie using a lay perspective rather than analyzing it using scientific theory and research.

Papers turned in after the beginning of class on the due date will be docked a full letter grade (10%) for each day late.
[ PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS BEGIN ON THE NEXT PAGE ]

P ROJECT S UMMARIES
1.
R ELATIONSHIP S CIENCE IN P OP C ULTURE

You will compare relationship advice that appears in a popular source (e.g., a popular magazine like Cosmopolitan or Men’s Health, or a self-help book like
Men are From Mars…
) with actual research on the same topic. Your job is to determine and to comment on the accuracy of the popular source, and suggest ways actual research findings could have been conveyed.

If you choose this project, you will briefly summarize the advice in the article or book in your own words and then critique the advice given (what do they have right? what do they have wrong? what other advice may have been useful?), supporting your arguments with material we covered in class, from your textbook, and from journal articles you find. The bulk of your analysis should focus on how the advice given compares with the advice you think would be appropriate based on the literature. You may either discuss how the advice is consistent or inconsistent with what prior research would suggest, as long as you cite your claims. Your discussion should be based solely on class material and academic sources, not on your personal thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

Please include the article or book chapter you evaluate: a link to the material online, or a printed/copied version attached to the end of the paper
2.
R ELATIONSHIP H OW -T O G UIDE

You will synthesize a body of relationship literature and provide a practical guide that would be suitable for public use (like Wikipedia or www.scienceofrelationships.com
). Some possibilities include: How to Optimize
Attraction, How to Improve Your Relationship Quality, How to Cope Following
Break-Up, etc., but be creative with your topic!

If you choose this project, you will briefly introduce the need for advice or help with a given goal (think: an infomercial for your plan), and then detail at least three steps or principles necessary to achieve the goal. Support each of your claims with material we covered in class, from your textbook, and from journal articles you find. Make sure you have clearly translated the research into tangible, realistic behaviors someone could apply to the situation. Your discussion should be based solely on class material and academic sources, not on your personal thoughts, feelings, or experiences.

3.
R ELATIONSHIP F ILM C RITIQUE

You will select a movie that portrays a variety of relationship dynamics and then analyze its realism and ground it in the scientific literature, using a number of topics/theories covered in class. You may choose any English-language movie you like, but you will likely have the best luck if you choose a romantic comedy or another movie with prominent relationship (romantic or otherwise) themes.

If you choose this project, you will select a movie that portrays relationship processes then write a paper analyzing the film using topics from class. Your paper should begin with a brief overview of the movie, followed by an in-depth analysis of at least 3 key characters, relationships, or relationship events depicted in the movie, supporting each of your major points with material we covered in class, from your textbook, and from journal articles you find. First define the theory or term, and be sure to illustrate/support your points with specific examples of key dialogue or key situations/ interactions depicted in the movie.
You may either discuss how a given person or event is consistent or inconsistent with what prior research would suggest, as long as you cite your claims.