A small group project for undergraduate social psychology students: Demonstrating the identifiable victim effect

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that ‘active learning’ strategies are more efficacious than traditional ‘passive learning’ methods (e.g. lecture). Presented here is a small group active learning project developed for undergraduate social psychology students. The activity involves carrying out and reporting the results of a structured demonstration of the identifiable victim effect. The project provides students with the opportunity to write a research proposal, collect data, perform a basic analysis and interpretation of the data, and report their findings in written form. Student feedback on the project has been positive overall. The project seems to be particularly beneficial in helping students to understand and appreciate the research process.