Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you use research articles to examine how social connections and support can promote physical and mental health. Social psychology can help us understand our relationships with others. SHOW LESS By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria: Competency 2: Apply social psychological research and theory to examine social perception, social interaction, and social influence. Explain how research findings in the field of social psychology can help individuals understand relationships with others. Competency 4: Examine the research methods frequently used in the study of social psychology. Describe the data collection methods used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Describe the designs used in research studies in the field of social psychology. Explain arguments made by researchers in the field of social psychology. Explain research findings in the field of social psychology. Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology. Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional. Use APA format and style. Competency Map CHECK YOUR PROGRESS Use this online tool to track your performance and progress through your course. Toggle Drawer Context What causes people to be drawn to one another? What happens when one experiences rejection? Human beings are wired for relationships. Unlike some species that do not organize socially, such as koalas and jaguars, humans need relationships. We are what Baumeister and Bushman refer to as cultural animals, immersing ourselves within social groups. Humans engage in relationships of all kinds from family, acquaintances and friends, to romantic partners. Belonging is a basic human need (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). SHOW LESS Baumeister and Bushman (2014) describe belonging as a human need that requires regular contact and ongoing relationships with at least four to six people. When people have no sustainable relationships or are long distances for extended periods from those they love, whether a friend, family member, or romantic partner, they become lonely and potentially depressed. Feeling lonely and ostracized is associated with aggressive and other antisocial behaviors (Baumeister & Bushman). As social and cultural beings, humans benefit in many ways from belongingness to a group of people. Research supports that belongingness can benefit physical health as well as mental health (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). Support from people with whom one has stable bonds is associated with higher resistance to disease and higher rates of healing from illness and injury. Reference Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014).  Social psychology & human nature  (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Toggle Drawer Q.

1. Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you use research articles
to examine how social connections and support can promote
physical and mental health.
Social psychology can help us understand our relationships with
others.
SHOW LESS
By successfully completing this assessment, you will
demonstrate your proficiency in the following course
competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 2: Apply social psychological research and theory
to examine social perception, social interaction, and social
influence.
Explain how research findings in the field of social psychology
can help individuals understand relationships with others.
Competency 4: Examine the research methods frequently used
in the study of social psychology.
Describe the data collection methods used in research studies in
the field of social psychology.
Describe the designs used in research studies in the field of
social psychology.
Explain arguments made by researchers in the field of social
psychology.
Explain research findings in the field of social psychology.
Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly,
professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals
in the field of psychology.
Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar,
usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
Use APA format and style.
Competency Map
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Use this online tool to track your performance and progress
through your course.
Toggle Drawer
Context

2. What causes people to be drawn to one another? What happens
when one experiences rejection? Human beings are wired for
relationships. Unlike some species that do not organize socially,
such as koalas and jaguars, humans need relationships. We are
what Baumeister and Bushman refer to as cultural animals,
immersing ourselves within social groups. Humans engage in
relationships of all kinds from family, acquaintances and
friends, to romantic partners. Belonging is a basic human need
(Baumeister & Bushman, 2014).
SHOW LESS
Baumeister and Bushman (2014) describe belonging as a human
need that requires regular contact and ongoing relationships
with at least four to six people. When people have no
sustainable relationships or are long distances for extended
periods from those they love, whether a friend, family member,
or romantic partner, they become lonely and potentially
depressed. Feeling lonely and ostracized is associated with
aggressive and other antisocial behaviors (Baumeister &
Bushman).
As social and cultural beings, humans benefit in many ways
from belongingness to a group of people. Research supports that
belongingness can benefit physical health as well as mental
health (Baumeister & Bushman, 2014). Support from people
with whom one has stable bonds is associated with higher
resistance to disease and higher rates of healing from illness
and injury.
Reference
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014).
Social psychology & human nature
(3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Toggle Drawer
Questions to Consider
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider
the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a
work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the
business community.

3. What causes people to be drawn to one another?
What happens when one experiences rejection?
Toggle Drawer
Resources
Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in
completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For
additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and
Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your
courseroom.
Library Resources
The following e-books or articles from the Capella University
Library are linked directly in this course.
Note
: Some of the articles listed are fairly old and are included here
because they are considered seminal works in the field.
Cockshaw, W. D., Shochet, I. M., & Obst, P. L. (2013).
General belongingness, workplace belongingness, and
depressive symptoms
.
Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology
,
23
(3), 240–251.
Cyranowski, J. M., Zill, N., Bode, R., Butt, Z., Kelly, M. A. R.,
Pilkonis, P. A., & . . . Cella, D. (2013).
Assessing social support, companionship, and distress: National
Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox Adult Social Relationship
Scales
.
Health Psychology
,
32
(3), 293–301.
Hogg, M. A., & Hains, S. C. (1996).
Intergroup relations and group solidarity: Effects of group

4. identification and social beliefs on depersonalized attraction
.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
,
70
(2), 295–309.
Kaniasty, K. (2012).
Predicting social psychological well-being following trauma:
The role of postdisaster social support
.
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
,
4
(1), 22–33.
Major, B., Mendes, W. B., & Dovidio, J. F. (2013).
Intergroup relations and health disparities: A social
psychological perspective
.
Health Psychology
,
32
(5), 514–524.
Mejias, N. J., Gill, C. J., & Shpigelman, C. (2014).
Influence of a support group for young women with disabilities
on sense of belonging
.
Journal of Counseling Psychology
,
61
(2), 208–220.
Uchino, B. N., Cawthon, R. M., Smith, T. W., Light, K. C.,
McKenzie, J., Carlisle, M., & . . . Bowen, K. (2012).
Social relationships and health: Is feeling positive, negative, or
both (ambivalent) about your social ties related to telomeres?
Health Psychology
,

5. 31
(6), 789–796.
Wallace, T. L., Ye, F., & Chhuon, V. (2012).
Subdimensions of adolescent belonging in high school
.
Applied Developmental Science
,
16
(3), 122–139.
SHOW LESS
Course Library Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically
for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the
resources in the
Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide
to help direct your research.
Bookstore Resources
The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and
assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted
otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the
Capella University Bookstore
. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course
ID with the specific
–FP
(FlexPath) course designation.
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014).
Social psychology & human nature
(3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Chapters 11 and 12.
Assessment Instructions
To prepare for this assessment, search in the Capella library for
research articles on how social connections and support can
promote physical and mental health. Choose two research
articles to use in this assessment.

6. Using the two articles you found, include the following in your
assessment. Provide the APA citation for each article.
Describe the data collection methods used in the studies you
selected.
Describe the designs used in the studies.
Explain the arguments the authors make to support their
positions.
Explain the findings of the research.
How might you apply these findings to better understand your
own relationships with others?
Your submitted assessment should be 3–4 pages in length
excluding title page and reference page. Be sure to follow APA
guidelines for format and style. You do not need to use
resources other than the two articles you selected, but you may
if you wish.
Additional Requirements
Include a title page and reference page.
At least two current scholarly or professional resources.
APA format.
Times New Roman font, 12 point.
Double spaced.