DESCRIPTION: Two brief articles (accompanied by videos) that are to serve as PSA (public service announcements) regarding domestic violence. The first is headlined in Time Magazine as “Watch the Chilling New Domestic Violence Ad You’ll See During the Super Bowl.” The article points out that the PSA is based on an actual 911 call for help.   The second brief article and video are part of the NFL’s campaign to end domestic violence and features a number of well known football players. 

RESOURCES:

NO CELEBRITIES HERE (NFL Super Bowl PSA)

(Time Magazine January 27, 2015 — includes video)

http://time.com/3684144/super-bowl-nfl-domestic-violence-ad/

NFL CAMPAIGN: “NO MORE” TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

(USA Today, October 22, 2014 — includes video)

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/no-more-psa-eli-manning-nfl

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Based upon Social Psychology, what is an “attitude” and what is “persuasion.”   Do studies show that a PSA can change (persuade) an attitude? Do the PSA commercials regarding abuse have elements that meet criteria for attitudinal shifts?

• Based upon social science data, what are the causes of domestic abuse? Does the Bio-Psycho-Social model help in the explanation?

• From what is known from Social Learning Theory and Bandura’s work: how would these psychologists account for domestic abuse in families? What role does media play in both facilitating and inhibiting abuse and family violence?

• Ask the students: how do the explanations of a social scientist differ from those of the lay person (everyday person) regarding the causes and “cures” for abuse?

• Ask the students: how do the explanations of a social scientist differ from those of the lay person (everyday person) regarding whether a campaign such as this to end domestic violence will be effective or not?