WA #2

Writing Assignment #2 will focus on how social media platforms such as Facebook use principles of conditioning and reinforcement to manipulate our on-line behavior. Specifically, I’m going to ask you to watch the documentary “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix, which just came out a few months ago. Before watching the film, I would suggest re-watching this week’s lectures on classical and operant conditioning (or, at least, reviewing your notes), and also reading the NOBA PROJECT article about learning and conditioning that I recently posted to Blackboard (this is a VERY helpful reading). YOUR GRADE ON THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE DETERMINED BY HOW SUCCESSFULLY YOU INTEGRATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CONDITIONING AND REINFORCEMENT TO EXPLAINING HOW WE ARE MANIPULATED BY SOCIAL MEDIA. THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT. Here are specific instructions:

1. Go over your notes/rewatch class videos and read NOBA PROJECT article.

2. Watch the “Social DIlemma” documentary on Netflix, being conscious the entire time about how certain kinds of behaviors are conditioned and reinforced.

3. In a 3-PARAGRAPH RESPONSE:

a. Paragraph one (at least 250 words): describe how social media platforms use conditioning and reinforcement (both positive and negative) to manipulate our online behavior;

b. Paragraph two (at least 250 words): describe the strengths of the documentary;

c. Paragraph three (at least 250 words): describe the weaknesses of the documentary.