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Student’s Name.
Department/ Faculty
Professor’s Name
Course Code & Name
Date.
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Jason's decision and action to deal with drugs can be explained from a social-
psychological perspective buttressed by various sociological theories. He is a bright student since
he is taking a demanding medicine course. However, his behaviour is of concern as it has
subjected him to problems, and he could face conviction when charged.
Jason's behaviour can be assessed through social learning theory. This theory
emphasises the environment as the major factor that shapes the conduct and behaviour of an
individual. The environment one dwells in imbues several factors that affect an individual
socially, emotionally and mentally. In Jason's case, he might have interacted with fellow students
or peers who also deal in drugs and were attracted to their life. The peer's lifestyle must have
been the needed incentive to induce Jason to the vice.
From the preceding, social psychologists can also impute the part of social influence on
Jason's conduct and behaviour. Human beings are inclined to be a part of something (Aronson,
2019). In that desire, they find themselves entangled in social networks that can harm their
overall well-being. Also, Jason may have encountered an individual with more authority that
coerced him into manufacturing the drugs for financial benefit. With his expertise, knowledge
and skill in medicine, he became trapped in the vice.
Lastly, social psychologists can infer cognitive dissonance in explaining Jason’s
behaviour. Cognitive dissonance refers to the state of an individual having inconsistent thoughts,
attitudes or beliefs. Due to that internal conflict, Jason is forced to adopt vices such as dealing
drugs to relieve himself of the conflict. That can explain why Jason, with a good career on the
horizon, decided to manufacture and sell drugs.
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Reference
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.) (2019).8Social
Psychology8(10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 1, “Introducing Social Psychology”
