Social Science Popular Article Assignment_OP2
This assignment challenges you to research, analyze, and establish a psychological profile regarding a chosen fandom.
Objectives:
Locate and examine printed, digital, and visual materials (CO 1)
Apply course theme to research in the Social Sciences (CO 2)
Demonstrate critical thinking skills (CO 3, CO 4, CO 5)
Practice integrating and evaluating source material(s) (CO 4, CO 5)
Compose appropriate text with conventional use of language (CO 4, CO 5)
Document sources through proper APA citation (CO 5)
Directions:
The goal of this assignment is to explore identity from the social science perspective, then translate your research for a general online reading audience, specifically a popular article for Psychology Today.
For this assignment, you will select a fandom, such as a musical, movie, television, or athletic fanbase, and explore how this shared passion helps define the fanbase and shape the world around them. Your research will include the demographics for this fanbase, their established values, and their psychological traits.
You will then imagine you are a Psychology Today contributor and create a 500-800-word article that includes a title, key points, subheadings, relevant visuals (if needed), and documentation of research.
Here are some questions to get you started:
Who or what has influenced this fandom?
What social influence has this fandom had on others?
What are the demographics for this fanbase in terms of age, gender, location, income, and education level?
What creates a sense of community within this fanbase?
What is their online presence like? What platforms do they visit most frequently? What kind of content do they engage or post?
How does this fandom express itself?
Does this fanbase link itself to certain political or social issues?
What is their general attitude towards similar artists, actors, athletes, etc.?
Are there subgroups within the fanbase?
Does this fanbase have any toxic behaviors, such as cyberbullying?
Research and Demographics: Conduct research on your chosen fanbase. Explore online resources such as music publications, and academic articles (avoiding fan forums as primary sources). Identify key demographic characteristics associated with the fanbase, including age, race, education level, income range, gender, and potentially political viewpoints or socioeconomic factors. Be sure to discuss how being a part of this fanbase impacts identity, including both positive and negative aspects of such fandom. Feel free to also interview members of the fanbase. Two to three credible sources are needed for this assignment. Utilize the FTCC Library’s databases and look for current sources (published within the last five years). Google Scholar is another option. Your PSY 150 textbook is also another option to consider. These sources will be cited within the article you produce as well as on the reference page.
Psychological Spotlight: Select one or two psychological elements from the following list that resonate most with your chosen fanbase:
Emotional Connection: How does the music, movie/tv series, or sport evoke strong emotions in fans?
Need for Affiliation: How does the fanbase offer a sense of belonging and connection with like-minded individuals?
Esteem Needs: How can involvement in the fanbase boost a fan’s self-esteem?
Confirmation Bias: Does the fanbase exhibit a tendency to seek out information that reinforces their views about the artist, genre, team, etc. ?
In-Group Favoritism: Does the fanbase display a preference for their chosen artist, team, character, genre, etc. over others, potentially with hostility towards other fan groups?
Structure
Introduction: Briefly introduce the chosen fanbase and its cultural significance. Highlight the psychological aspects you’ll be exploring.
Demographics (1-2 paragraphs): Discuss the available information on the fanbase’s demographics, such as age range, gender, socioeconomic background, etc. You can cite studies or reports from reputable sources.
Psychological Analysis (2-3 paragraphs): This is the heart of your article. Here, you’ll dive into the chosen psychological element(s) and explain how it contributes to a strong sense of identity within the fanbase. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. For instance, discussing how fans create online communities to address the need for affiliation.
Conclusion: Briefly summarize your key points and emphasize the importance of the chosen fanbase in understanding the link between fandom and identity.
Article Format:
Aim for a word count of 500-800 words.
Maintain a formal and informative writing style, similar to an academic article.
Title
Key Points
Subheadings
Relevant Visuals
Cite at least two to three credible sources in APA format with in-text references as well as a separate reference page.
Remember to present material objectively, as you are reporting on the fanbase, not judging it.