This literature review and hypothetical study proposal explores if increased exposure to group drug activity influences the social cognition of the individual evident in increased personal drug use.

1. Running head: FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 1
(7-2) Final Project Submission: Research Investigation
Alexandra Perkins
Southern New Hampshire University

2. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 2
Article One
Citation of Literature
Corrigan, P. W., & Penn, D. L. (2015). Lessons from social psychology on discrediting
psychiatric stigma. Stigma and Health, 1(S), 2–17. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1037/2376-6972.1.S.2
Authors’ Claims
The claim is the theories and findings from social psychology literature on stigma reduction
provide potential solutions to reduce the stigmatization of mentally ill individuals. The purpose
of this article is to provide information of past, present and future tactics for reducing public
stigma regarding mental illness. Strategies such as protest, education, and contact are discussed
as well as potential discrepancies of these approaches and how to combat them.
Influence of Factors on Social Thinking
Stereotypes are identified as learned knowledge structures and are passed on throughout
generations; the most popular of the stereotypes toward mental illness being fear and exclusion,
authoritarianism and benevolence. These stereotypes keep the mentally ill feared and isolated
from communities, they remove their personal liberties and have others make decisions for them
or patronize them into child-like states. The proposed strategies are used to help eliminate the
stigma and behavior associated with such for the health of the community and the mentally ill
individual.
Historical Significance
Previously, a compilation of such research and focus specifically on social psychology literature
has not been explored. The authors sought to share research to elaborate on a previous article in
order to “better integrate the fields of social and clinical psychology”.

3. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 3
ResearchMethods and Design
This article does not include an experimental quality, but rather relies on a plethora of previously
published articles for support. This article follows an archival research design.
Ethics
This study follows ethical guidelines. All information used to support the argument was properly
cited and peer reviewed by other professionals in the field of psychology. This article serves as a
suggestion for social action to be adopted by community sources.
Article Two
Citation of Literature
Antony, M. M., Monforton, J., & Vickers, K. (2012). "If only I didn't embarrass myself in front
of the class!": Social anxiety and upward counterfactual thinking. Journal of Social and
Clinical Psychology, 31(3), 312-328.
doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/101521jscp2012313312
Authors’ Claims
The authors of this study analyze the relationship between social anxiety and upward
counterfactual thinking (U-CFT). Specifically, researchers claim uncontrollable scenarios
increase U-CFT, depression, perfectionism and rumination in individuals who exhibit social
anxiety disorder.
Influence of Factors on Social Thinking
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is “characterized by intense and persistent fears”, specifically a
fear of being embarrassed in social situations which causes the individual to avoid these
contexts. Individuals with SAD often engage in upward counterfactual thought processes,
thoughts that reflect a positive outcome of a negative situation.

4. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 4
Historical Significance
The results of this research are significant because upward counterfactual thought had not been
analyzed in a test group with social anxiety symptoms and in its incorporation of both college
students and members of the community. U-CFT had been analyzed in participants with PTSD
and depression; however, factors that measure the cognitive vulnerability of social anxiety had
not previously been explored.
ResearchMethods and Design
This experimental research design included 88 participants separated into two groups, one group
read a controllable scenario and the other an uncontrollable scenario. The hypothesis of the
researchers predicted that positive affect scores would decrease, and negative affect scores would
increase from the baseline after the scenario in both environments; this hypothesis was
supported.
Ethics
This study followed ethical guidelines by obtaining informed consent and briefing the
participants of the study before it started. The participants were compensated for their
participation as promised, however, there was no mention of debriefing which could reflect an
ethical concern.
Article Three
Citation of Literature
Goodman, S. H., Howard, L. M., McCallum, M., Pariante, C. M., Pearson, R. M., Stein, A.,
Rahman, A., & Rapa, E. (2014). Effects of perinatal mental disorders on the fetus and
child. The Lancelet, 384(9956), 1800-1819. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-
6736(14)61277-0

5. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 5
Authors’ Claims
The research in this article highlights that perinatal mental disorders have negative impacts on
the fetus and child although intervention strategies can be implemented. Factors such as
parenting techniques, socioeconomic status and social health can either increase or decrease the
impact of perinatal mental disorders.
Influence of Factors on Social Thinking
Research providing intervention and mediation for the prevalence of mental disorders in children
who have parents that also suffer from MI can be used to decrease the influence these disorders.
Factors attributing to socioeconomic status and parenting techniques that help to limit the impact
of these illnesses can be implemented to promote positive mental health in children despite
biological and other limiting factors.
Historical Significance
Previously, an article highlighting both the effects of perinatal mental disorders and techniques
for intervention and mediation had not been explored. The structure of this research includes not
only data from several reputable sources elucidating the expansive effect of perinatal disorders
across several psychopathological diagnosis but combines this information with parenting
techniques and other feasible interventions.
ResearchMethods and Design
This article does not include an experimental quality, but rather relies on a plethora of previously
published articles for support. This article follows an archival research design.
Ethics
This study follows ethical guidelines. All information used to support the argument was properly
cited and peer reviewed by other professionals in the field of psychology. The purpose of this

6. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 6
article is to highlight the significance of intervention and mediation techniques to improve the
mental health of children with parents who exhibit perinatal mental disorders.
Article Four
Citation of Literature
Fukuyama, Y., Ishigooka, J., Iwao, M., Miura, S., Murasaki, M., & Suzuki, M. (1998).
Demographic features of patients seeking cosmetic surgery. Psychiatry & Clinical
Neurosciences, 52(3), 283–287. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1046/j.1440-
1819.1998.00388.x
Authors’ Claims
The research claims that a significant portion of the population that receive cosmetic surgery
suffer from a diagnosable psychiatric illness. The two most prevalent diagnoses being mood
disorders and hypochondriacal (with a focus on dysmorphophobia, non-delusional).
Influence of Factors on Social Thinking
The statistically significant percentage of mentally ill individuals seeking cosmetic surgery
suggests that mental disorders and increased sensitivity to interpersonal relationships are driving
factors for body modifications. Majority of the test subjects, regardless of their relation to mental
illness, were preoccupied with their appearance during adolescence. The influence of both
mental illness and body image remain significant motivators for individuals pursuing cosmetic
surgery.
Historical Significance
Body image and its relation to cosmetic surgery has been studied in women, however this study
emphasizes the influence of gender in combination with associated mental illness. Additionally,

7. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 7
this study was conducted with a Japanese population which reflects the specific socio-cultural
aspects of the population’s mental illness.
ResearchMethods and Design
The subjects of this correlational research design were 415 patients (130 male: 285 female) who
sought cosmetic surgery from 1980 to 1997. Patients received a psychiatric evaluation prior to
the surgery to measure diagnosable psychiatric conditions and recorded their motivators for
cosmetic surgery including interpersonal relationships, perceived attractiveness level and
avoidance of work/school.
Ethics
This study does not include mention of the criteria used to meet ethical guidelines. There is no
mention of informed consent or briefing. However, considering this study was conducted in
1998, the American Psychiatric Association’s guidelines had not yet been published.
Article Five
Citation of Literature
Fleury, M., Goering, P., Kirst, M., Krausz, M., Patterson, M., Schutz, C., Somers, J. M.,
Strehlau, V., Stergiopoulos, V., Urbanoski, K., & Veldhuizen, S. (2018). Effects of
comorbid substance use disorders on outcomes in a Housing First intervention for
homeless people with mental illness. Addiction, 113(1), 137–145.
Authors’ Claims
The authors’ claim reflects that Housing First programs (housing provided with treatment) are
equally effective between those suffering with and without comorbid substance use disorders
(SUD). Housing for individuals suffering from SUD that is not contingent upon abstinence or
treatment is more effective than conditional housing.

8. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 8
Influence of Factors on Social Thinking
The prevalence of mental illness (MI) in the homeless population is significant, but equally
concerning is the percentage of individuals with comorbid SUD; “SUD and MI may be both a
cause and consequence of homelessness”. Successful treatment for both MI and SUD reflects
decreased levels of homelessness and increased community functioning.
Historical Significance
While previous research has explored the impact of Housing First (HF) programs on MI
individuals comorbid SUD, this study specifically explores HF success in comparison to TAU.
ResearchMethods and Design
This correlational research design included 2154 participants from 2009 to 2013 who were
randomized into two groups, HF and TAU. Measurements of days housed, community
functioning, general health and mental health symptoms were recorded.
Ethics
While this study neglects to directly mention obtaining informed consent, it does explicitly state
that it was approved by the “Research Ethics Boards of seven institutions, including all
institutions at which the core investigation team members were employed”.
Gap Identification
The studies that were analyzed included a multitude of factors influencing social cognition
including stigma, social anxiety, parental mental illness, cosmetic surgery and homeless
substance abuse. While concepts of social beliefs/judgements, genetics and behavior were well
represented, a gap in the pressures of conformity needs to be explored. Analyzing the influence
of the group and subsequent conformity based on the environment has significant impact on

9. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 9
individual social cognition. Situations involving substance abuse may reflect strong evidence of
group influence and conformity; this is the focus of the research gap.
ResearchQuestion
Does increased exposure to group drug activity influence the social cognition of the individual
evident in increased personal drug use?
ResearchDesign
This correlational research design will include 300 participants from several treatment centers for
recovering addicts. The participants will record their age, race, gender and other identifying
characteristics. The treatment centers selected will range in geographic position in hopes of
diversifying responses. The participants will be given a survey to answer to record the details of
their drug use history. Potential survey questions are included in a separate document. These
responses will record the correlation between exposure to group drug activity and increased
personal drug use. The hypothesis will be supported if responses clearly connect group drug
exposure to increased personal drug use. Questions addressing the social cognition of the
individual will gauge whether the pressures of the group influenced their drug histories.
Issues of Ethics
Ethical concerns will be addressed by obtaining informed consent from adult participants prior to
commencement of the study. Participants will be briefed of the nature of these questions and how
they can be triggering for a recovering addict. Additionally, consent will also be obtained from
members of the individuals treatment team (i.e. psychiatrist, counselor). Participants will remain
anonymous, only identifiable by a test subject number and characteristics like gender, race and
age. Upon conclusion of the study, participants will be debriefed including their role in the
researched obtained and what the research will be applied to in the future. These ethical concerns

10. FINAL PROJECT SUBMISSION 10
were informed through suggestions from my professor and peers as well as other unethical case
studies such as the Stanford Prison Experiment.