PSY-362: Social Psychology and Cultural Applications
PowerPoint Presentation Assignment – Spring 2026

Assignment Overview

Social psychology examines the ways in which people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. In this assignment, you will prepare and submit a 12–15-slide PowerPoint presentation that applies a core social psychology concept to a real-world cultural context. The presentation should demonstrate your ability to connect theory, empirical research, and lived social experience in a format suitable for a professional or academic audience.

This assignment addresses Program Competency 2.1 (Apply psychological theories and empirical findings to social behavior), Program Competency 3.3 (Evaluate cultural influences on human behavior), and the GCU core value of integrating faith, learning, and critical inquiry into academic work.

Course Learning Objectives Addressed

• CO1: Identify and explain foundational theories and concepts in social psychology.
• CO3: Analyze the influence of cultural, ethnic, and social factors on individual and group behavior.
• CO5: Evaluate research evidence and apply findings to real-world social and behavioral contexts.
• CO6: Communicate psychological concepts clearly and professionally using APA format.

Assignment Description and Task

Select one social psychology concept from the approved topic list below (or propose an equivalent topic to your instructor by the end of Topic 2 for approval). Your presentation must do more than define the concept — it must connect the concept to current research, illustrate it with real or hypothetical case examples, and situate it within a meaningful cultural or social context. You should approach this task as though you are presenting to a group of peers, colleagues, or community stakeholders who have a general but non-specialist understanding of psychology.

Approved Social Psychology Topics

• Conformity and Social Influence (Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo)
• Bystander Effect and Prosocial Behavior
• Cognitive Dissonance and Attitude Change
• Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
• Obedience to Authority and Ethical Implications
• Attribution Theory and Social Perception
• In-group/Out-group Dynamics and Social Identity Theory
• Aggression, Media Influence, and Social Behavior
• Altruism and Helping Behavior Across Cultures
• Social Media’s Influence on Self-Concept and Group Identity

If you wish to propose a topic not listed above, submit a one-paragraph rationale to your instructor by the end of Topic 2. Unapproved topics will not receive credit.

Presentation Requirements

Slide Count and Structure

Your presentation must contain a minimum of 12 slides and no more than 15 slides, organized as follows:

1. Title Slide – Course name, assignment title, your name, instructor name, institution, and date (this slide does not count toward the required content slides).
2. Introduction / Hook – A compelling opening statement, statistic, or scenario that frames why this topic matters today.
3. Concept Definition and Theoretical Background – Define the chosen social psychology concept clearly. Identify the theoretical framework(s) associated with it and cite the original or foundational theorist(s).
4. Historical Development – Briefly outline how understanding of this concept has evolved since its original formulation. Reference at least one classic study.
5. Key Research Findings (2 slides minimum) – Summarize and cite at least two peer-reviewed empirical studies (published within the last ten years where possible). Present key findings, sample characteristics, and real-world implications.
6. Cultural Applications and Context (1–2 slides) – Analyze how this concept manifests differently across cultures, demographic groups, or social settings. Draw on culturally specific research or documented case examples.
7. Real-World Case Example or Scenario – Present one documented real-world example or a well-developed hypothetical case that illustrates the concept in action.
8. Ethical Considerations – Identify at least two ethical issues raised by research or application of this concept. Reference the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2017) where applicable.
9. Implications for Practice or Policy – Discuss what the findings mean for practitioners, educators, policymakers, or communities.
10. Conclusion – Summarize your key arguments and offer a brief reflection on what you found most significant.
11. References Slide – Full APA 7th edition references for all sources cited in the presentation. This slide does not count toward the 12–15 content slide requirement.

Presentation Design Requirements

• Use a professional, readable slide template. Avoid overly decorative or cluttered designs.
• Each slide should contain a clear heading and concise bullet points or visuals — do not paste blocks of paragraph text onto slides.
• Use at least two graphics, charts, diagrams, or images that directly support your content (properly cited).
• Speaker notes are required for every content slide (minimum 3–5 sentences per slide) explaining and expanding on the information displayed.
• Font size: Headings no smaller than 28 pt; body text no smaller than 20 pt.
• Maintain consistent color scheme, font family, and spacing throughout.

Research and Citation Requirements

• A minimum of four (4) peer-reviewed sources are required. At least two must have been published within the last ten years.
• Sources must be cited with in-text APA 7th edition citations on relevant slides and listed in full on the References slide.
• The course textbook may be used as one source but cannot substitute for peer-reviewed journal articles.
• Wikipedia, psychology help websites, and non-peer-reviewed internet sources are not acceptable.
• Use the GCU Library’s ProQuest, PsycINFO, or EBSCO databases to locate peer-reviewed sources.

Submission Instructions

• Submit your completed presentation as a .pptx file through the Assignment tab in the LMS courseroom.
• File naming convention: LastName_FirstName_PSY362_T5_Presentation.pptx
• Do not submit a PDF — the grader must be able to view speaker notes.
• Late submissions will be subject to the course late work policy outlined in the syllabus.

Grading Rubric

Academic Integrity Notice

All work submitted must represent your original scholarship. The use of AI writing tools to generate slide content or speaker notes is not permitted unless explicitly authorized in writing by the instructor. Submissions will be reviewed through GCU’s academic integrity verification system. Any detected violation is subject to the course and university academic integrity policies outlined in the GCU Student Handbook.

Recommended References / Learning Materials