Detailed research report guide with example answers for the sections, additional notes and tips, AND links for additional resources. PLUS , an example of accepting/rejecting 3 hypotheses using the 2024 results and a past report that got 95%.
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Contents
1. Instructions ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The broad topic ............................................................................................................................... 5
3. The Rubric ....................................................................................................................................... 8
4. STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................................... 9
5. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE......................................................................................... 65
6. Past Project that got 95%.............................................................................................................. 71
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
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1. Instructions
Research Area Social Psychology
Project Title: Pluralistic Ignorance: How does it affect Positive and Negative Behaviours?
Limited to 200 students
Project Description
• In 2019, 52000 Americans were asked how they would personally define a successful life.
• They were presented with two statements and asked to select the one they consider most
closely to their answer:
• A. “A person is successful if they have followed their own interests and talents to become
the best they can be at what they care about most” or
• B. “A person is successful if they are rich, have a high-profile career, or are well-known.”
• The findings indicated that 97% of participants chose A for themselves, but 92% thought
most others would choose B.
• This is an example of pluralistic ignorance.
• Another example of pluralistic ignorance is the classroom example, which many of you
might have experienced yourself.
• Imagine a professor concludes a lecture on a rather difficult topic and asks the class if there
are any questions.
• No one raises their hand, which could imply to each student that all others understood the
topic.
• In reality, each student is confused, but the misperception of others’ confusion inhibits them
from asking their questions.
• After all, no one wants to come across as less smart than the other students.
• It means that pluralistic ignorance can prevent students from asking questions – which is
part and parcel of studying at a university.
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• Pluralistic ignorance is a “group-level phenomenon, wherein individuals belonging to a
group mistakenly believe that other’s cognitions (attitudes, beliefs, feeling) and/or
behaviours differ systematically from their own (i.e., a directional misperception),
regardless of how the misperception arises” (Sragent & Newman, 2021, p. 166).
• Thus, Pluralistic ignorance can lead to people conforming (through facilitation or inhibition)
to social norms they do not believe in and do not exist.
• Pluralistic ignorance might, therefore, facilitate cognitions and behaviours with which
people do not agree and which, consequently, might lead to cognitive dissonance.
• Pluralistic ignorance is also associated with inhibiting attitudinal and behavioural
expressions and, thus, promotes passivity (see classroom example).
• The existence and implications of pluralistic ignorance have been demonstrated in different
domains such as:
✓ alcohol use
✓ sexual attitudes and behaviour
✓ political correctness
✓ climate change perceptions
✓ paternity leave
✓ masculinity
✓ relationships
✓ academic cheating
✓ reporting of sexual harassment
✓ and eating norms
• This research project will explore whether pluralistic ignorance affects positive (e.g.,
sharing and donating) and negative (e.g., cheating, and bribing) behaviours.
• This study will be conducted using a cross-sectional online survey, which will be hosted on
the research platform Qualtrics.
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