Transcript title
Social Psychology
Credits
4
Grading mode
Standard letter grades
Total contact hours
40
Lecture hours
40
Recommended preparation
PSY 202Z or SOC 201; WR 060 (or higher) or minimum placement Wr/Comm Level 5.
Course Description
Surveys the influence of psychological processes on groups and the influence of culture, society, and groups on individuals. Includes analysis and exploration of behavior from a social psychology perspective. Includes topics such as aggression, prejudice, conformity, affiliation, altruism, persuasion, interpersonal attraction, social cognition, conflict resolution, attitude formation and change, and applied social psychology.
Course learning outcomes
1. Analyze behavior from a social psychology perspective.
2. Explain the relevance of social psychology concepts and how they apply of everyday life.
3. Describe ways in which individual identities, worldviews, values, and biases are shaped by multiple cultural and social influences.
4. Interpret research findings related to social psychology concepts.
5. Separate scientific evidence and personal views in understanding behavior.
Content outline
- History of social psychology
- Research, scientific literacy, and ethics
- Social cognition: heuristics, memory, and human decision making
- Identity, culture, and components of the self
- Predicting behavior: cognitive dissonance, justifications, and self-biases
- Compliance tactics and resisting persuasion
- Social influence: norms, mobs, conformity, and obedience
- Liking, love, and interpersonal relationships
- Prejudice, power dynamics, and escalation of hate
- Countering hate in groups and recovering from collective traumas
- Group dynamics: group think, social dilemmas, bystander intervention, and becoming agents for positive change
Required materials
The only material needed for this course would potentially be a textbook and associated resources that come with a textbook.
General education/Related instruction lists
- Human Relations
- Social Science
- Cultural Literacy
