Case Study 2 – Susan: Adjusting Career Goals
Susan thought about Frank and the impression he made on her. Susan was very impressed by him; his
wardrobe, his car, and his smile and eye contact exuded self-confidence. Though she knew little about
Frank professionally, Susan eventually decided to return to college and someday become a psychologist,
too.
Now that her studies are robbing her of time with her son and friends, Susan reflects on working with Frank.
She smiles when she thinks of how impressed she is with his handsome looks and how inspired she is by
his profession. Susan considers her own appearance as basically attractive but nothing like the handsome
Dr. Frank.
Susan thinks, “Am I fooling myself about becoming a psychologist? It’s easy for someone who looks like
Frank to be successful, but what about me? Maybe my long-term goals are not realistic. They’re killing me
with my son and free time. Maybe I need to cut back my ambition and just try to graduate from the university
and take it a step at a time.”
With a touch of discouragement, this line of thinking is also reassuring to Susan. It provides her with a
reason to adjust her educational and professional goals that is more “realistic” given her physical
appearance. She knows some of her family and friends would be disappointed to hear about her change in
goals, but she doesn’t have to tell anyone now. She can just enjoy the reduced pressure her adjustment in
goals has provided.
Describe credible and scholarly sources relevant to the Halo Effect theory, Halo Effect: The assumption that because people have one desirable trait (such as attractiveness), they also
possess many other desirable traits (such as intelligence).
Apply a social psychological Conformity Bias to case study.
Explain how social psychological research studies relate to Conformity Bias: Conformity bias refers to our tendency to take cues for proper behavior in most contexts
from the actions of others rather than exercise our own independent judgment.
