SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIN

THE DESIGN SCHOOL

FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILT AND ENVIRONMENT

SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

GROUP MEMBERS: EE HUI TENG 0322548 LIM WOO LEON 0322180 MUHAMMAD AAMEER MOHD A’ASEEM 0322891 MELANIE SOON 0322327 MUHAMMAD AREEB BIN AMIRULLAH 0322347

LECTURER: MR SHANKAR

INTAKE: JANUARY 2015

SUBMISSION DATE : 7TH DECEMBER 2015

CONTENT PAGE

i. Acknowledgement

ii. Introduction

iii. Methoda) Apparatus/ Materialb) Procedure

iv. Discussiona) Concept and Definitionb) Storyboard Designc) Application and Analysisd) Conclusion

v. References

vi. Appendix

i. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This assignment given to us will not complete without the cooperation and

effort from each of the group members, Hui Teng, Aameer, Leon, Melanie

and Areeb. We are really grateful that we managed to complete our Social

Psychology assignment within the time that is given to us. We want to take

this opportunity to say thank you to our lecturer, Mr. Shankar for his

guidance and advice throughout and also lead us on our video, report and

presentation slides.

ii. INTRODUCTION

In this project we are required to carry out a social psychology conceptual

video clip and required to do a presentation in a group of 4 to 5 people.

Students may use the theories from a choice of topics taught and what is

discussed in class.

Students are required to complete three tasks which include producing a

video clip by using the concepts learned in class, written report of the video

clip and presenting the clip during class. This project helps to understand

even more on what are the connections between concepts and perspectives

within psychology and other disciplines. By this, it will enhance the student

to be able to understand on what is engaged in psychological inquiry and

become self-regulated learners.

iii. Method

A) Apparatus and Materials

To ensure that our psychology video entitled ‘The Social Experiment’ was

filmed successfully; we conducted discussions on the requirements of tools

and materials based on the storyboards to carry out this social experiment.

Below is the list of items used:

Filming Equipment:

Two cameras (DSLR) – To record a series of short scenes efficiently and

from different angles if necessary.

Tripod – To hold the camera steadily while filming.

Mobile phone (iPhone) – To record audio of interviewers at the end of

the social experiment.

Go Pro camera – To enhance the visual effects of the video and to record

scenes from a person’s point of view.

Video editing software:

Movie Maker

Props and costumes:

Masking tape – To hold the Go Pro Camera in place while filming.

Snatcher costume (dark and mischievous look)– The character wears a

black t-shirt, blue jeans, a digital watch, sneakers and a black jacket with

a hood.

Witnesses costume (everyday wear) – The side characters wear dark

coloured shirts, long pants and sneakers.

Victim costume (everyday wear) – The character wears normal everyday

clothing with a long hand bag at her left side of his shoulder. She also has

a purse exposed in her hand bag.

B) Procedure

Setting:

To enable our social experiment to be carried out successfully, we decided to

film our social experiment in a place where we could get the attention of

people to get involved in the experiment. Our venue will all be in Taylor’s

university, which includes:

7-Eleven (commercial block) – To film the introduction of our social

experiment. It tells the story at the beginning.

Hallway at commercial block (in front of Starbucks) – The setting of our

social experiment where there will be people around to be involved in the

social experiment.

Timing:

We separated the filming into two segments to expand our time for filming.

Peak hours were our best deal to obtain involvement of others where there

will be many people carrying out their activities during this time, especially

lunch hours. It is crucial for us to this experiment in one shot as people

would know that our experiment would be a fake.

Close to afternoon around 11 a.m.

Afternoon around 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Operation:

1. Discussion

Due to our video being a social experiment, we had an in depth discussion

on our concepts being applied to the plot, whether if it was suitable or

appropriate to apply these concepts to the experiment. At the end we chose

the sub concepts which involved the main concept that is the bystander

effect. This concept covers other sub concepts if we can manage our social

experiment well. We decided to apply the concepts before and after the end

of the experiment as there will be an interview session with the people

involved. We would record their responds and opinion on the experiment

and deduced a concept resulted from their responds.

2. Role delegation

This assignment has several components that needed input from every single

man in the team. Thus, we delegate each task to each person with their own

skill set, to ensure constant and efficient progress. Below is a table of our

task delegation system:

Person(s) In charge Action Items/Role Video Context

Ee Hui Teng Overall Monitor

Report writer

Presenter

Videographer/ Video

editor

Secondary/Tertiary

character; The Victim,

The interviewer

Lim Woo Leon Report writer

Presenter

Main character; The

Snatch Theft

Melanie Soon Slides editor

presenter

Tertiary character; The

Interviewer

Muhammad Aameer Report Writer

Presenter

Secondary character;

The Witnesses

Muhammad Aareeb Report Writer

Videographer

Presenter

Secondary character;

The Witnesses

3. Video Filming

As mentioned above that we divided our film scenes into two parts, the first

being the introductory to our social experiment, the second will be the part

where the social experiment occurs. In the early afternoon we decided to

film the introduction in 7-Eleven as our introductory will be a snatch theft

incident in a shopping mart. In the introductory part, we were able to act it

out several times ensure that the film is realistic as a real snatch theft

incident in a shopping mart. We also tried different angles to enhance our

video visuals and also to input time to our minimum time requirement.

Part1

Act 1 – The snatch theft is trying to steal the victim’s purse while

shopping.

Act 2 – The snatch theft was stopped by two witnesses and began to run

away after being startled.

Act 3 – A shot of the victim’s expression after realizing that her purse is

stolen.

During the afternoon we start to prepare for our next scene which is the

social experiment where we engage in a chasing scene. Before that, we

searched for hidden places to place our cameras so as to hide it away from

people to let them perceive the chasing scene was in fact real. Minutes

before the experiment, we brief ourselves again on our obligations to the

experiment as it is a one-time shot.

Part 2

Act 1 – The chasing scene starts and the snatcher was beaten up after

being chased.

After finishing this scene, we begin our interview session with the respective

witnesses from the crowd. Some comments and responds were appropriate

and can be apply to the social psychology concept, while some were not. All

in all, the social experiment was a success as everybody communicates

efficiently which resulted in a well thought out social experiment.

4. Analysis

Tabulation and Presentation

Tabulation of results and report making is essential for a well conducted

research to justify our concepts used in the social experiment. The leader of

our group, Ee Hui Teng, Divides each component of the report making to

each and every one to enable the report to be done efficiently and

productively. Lastly, we cross-checked everyone’s works to further improve

the report.

In terms of presentation, each of us will contribute to one concept each. We

rehearsed our presentation a few times until we are able to explain and

justify our concepts properly and fluently while referring to the slides made

by our slides editor, Melanie Soon.

In conclusion, the whole operation was a success with no major disruptions

and challenges.

iv. Discussion

a) Concept & Definition

Through the several meetings and discussions that were held, we

finally came to a conclusion of using the following 5 concepts, the bystander

effect, pluralistic ignorance, stereotype, empathy-altruism and evaluation

apprehension, in this assignment. The bystander effect would serve as the

main concept in this assignment with the other four serving as sub-concepts.

The bystander effect is a concept in social psychology that refers to

cases where individuals are unwilling to offer help to another that is

currently experiencing troubles in the presence of others. In other words, a

person is less likely to offer help to another when other people are present in

the area. In addition, this concept states that the more people present in the

area, the possibility of help to be offered is less, and vice versa.

Next is the ‘pluralistic ignorance concept’, which is directly related to

the bystander effect. This concept states that the more people present in the

area, the less likely someone is to approach the victim and offer help. The

probability of help to be offered is inversely proportionate to the number of

individuals present at the time.

‘Stereotype’ is another psychological concept included in the video.

This concept states that people usually group up other individuals based on

specific characteristics of that particular individual. To put it simply,

stereotypes are when certain people are grouped together with the

misconception that they have similar behaviors as long as they share specific

characteristics.

Another concept included in this assignment is the ‘empathy-altruism’

concept. This concept can be applied when an individual offers aid to

another without the concerns of a reward.

Lastly, we have the ‘evaluation apprehension’ concept, which can be

applied when a person hesitates to offer help due to the idea of others’

judgments. This means that they hesitate to offer help to the victim as they

worry about what others might think of them.

b) Storyboard design

c) Application and Analysis

Our social experiment video consists of 5 specific social psychology

concepts, in the context of the bystander effect. Below are an in-depth

analysis of each scene and how each concept applies respectively through

screenshots of the video taken before and after the experiment and relevant

explanation.

1. Scene One – Empathy Altruism

Scene description: Two strangers witness the snatch theft incident and

reacted instantly by shouting at the thief. They try to chase after the thief to

help the victim to get back her stolen purse.

Application: The two witnesses witness the snatch theft incident and

reacted instantly to help the victim and immediately chased after the thief.

The concept of empathy altruism is applied here because they were willing

to help the victim without pausing to think of rewards and recognition by

people. Their main goal in this situation is to stop the thief. In conclusion,

they were selfless.

2. Scene Two – Pluralistic Ignorance

Scene description: In this scene, two strangers witnessed the incident and

passed by without taking any action.

Application: Pluralistic Ignorance can be applied here as the witness’s

believe if no one acts, or take action, they may believe that taking action is

incorrect, and may therefore refrain themselves from acting. It could also

due to the fact that there are many people present at the time and they expect

others to help instead.

3. Scene Three – Stereotype

Scene description: Interview 1

Application: Stereotype could be applied here when the interviewee

mentions that he might have helped if the person was dressed like a criminal.

This shows that he stereotypes criminals through dress-codes.

4. Scene Four – Bystander Effect

Scene description: Interview 2

Application: The Bystander Effect could be applied here when the witnesses

refused to aid the ‘victim’ in the video.

5. Scene Five – Evaluation Apprehension

Scene description: Interview 3

Application: Evaluation Apprehension can be applied here when the

interviewee mentions that he decided not to help the ‘victim’ as he thought

he was playing around with his friends. We can apply this concept as he was

probably hesitant to help because he didn’t want others to think that he was

interrupting a group who were just joking around.

v. References

Lis, E. (2014, November 24). Collapsing in Public - The Bystander Effect

(Social Experiment)[Video file]. Retrieved from

https://youtu.be/zRyNZwkpy5Y

Lloyd, P. (2008, November 3). Evaluation Apprehension. Retrieved from

https://www.ideaconnection.com/right-brain-workouts/00091-

evaluation-apprehension.html

Pluralistic Ignorance: Definition & Examples - Video & Lesson Transcript |

Study.com. (2015). Retrieved from

http://study.com/academy/lesson/pluralistic-ignorance-definition-

examples-quiz.html

Social Exchange Theory vs. Empathy-Altruism - Video & Lesson

Transcript | Study.com. (2015). Retrieved from

http://study.com/academy/lesson/social-exchange-theory-vs-

empathy-altruism.html

Sussex Directories, Inc. (2015). Bystander Effect | Psychology Today.

Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/bystander-

effect

Vi. APPENDIXSCENE 1

SCENE 2

SCENE 3

SCENE 4