Core Course
PSY203 – Social Psychology
Course Unit Code: PSY203
Type Of Unit: Compulsory
Level of Course Unit: Undergraduate
Year of Study: Year 2
Semester: Semester 1
Number of ECTS Credits: 7.5
Class Contact Hours: 36
Mode of Delivery
Face to Face
Prerequisites
None
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to give students a thorough understanding of the ways in which people’s relationships with others and the social environment in which they live have an impact on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The purpose of the course is to investigate the psychological processes underpinning social interactions, group dynamics, and the influence of external social influences on personal conduct. The course promotes critical thinking, empathy, and a respect for the complexity of human interactions by digging into the nuances of human social behavior.
Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to:
- Top of Form Identify and define important terms, theories, and principles in social psychology.
- Explain how social interactions and the social environment affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
- Apply social psychological theories to contemporary problems and contexts.
- Exhibit strong communication abilities in describing social psychological concepts and research findings.
- Recognize ethical issues in social psychology research and applications, using ethical reasoning to guide interactions and interventions.
Course Content
Students are to acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which people’s relationships with others and the social environment in which they live have an impact on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The purpose of the course is to investigate the psychological processes underpinning social interactions, group dynamics, and the influence of external social influences on personal conduct. The course promotes critical thinking, empathy, and a respect for the complexity of human interactions by digging into the nuances of human social behavior.
Module 1: Introduction to Social Psychology
Module 2: Social Perception and Cognition
Module 3: Attitudes and Attitude Change
Module 4: Social Influence
Module 5: Group Dynamics
Module 6: Interpersonal Relationships
Module 7: Prosocial Behavior and Altruism
Module 8: Aggression and Conflict
Module 9: Prejudice, Discrimination, and Intergroup Relations
Module 10: Culture and Cross-Cultural Psychology
Module 11: Applied Social Psychology
Module 12: Social Psychology and Technology
Module 13: Research Methods in Social Psychology
Module 14: Current Issues in Social Psychology
Course Features
Teaching methodology: Lecture
Assessment:
- Midterm & Final Exam (30% & 30%): Mid-term and final exams will be conducted covering the entire course. Both exams will include multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions.
- Group assignment (25%) where students collaboratively analyse a specific social psychological phenomenon and present their findings to the class.
- Individual assignment (5%), where students are asked to participate in an online forum to engage in discussions and share their thoughts on specific social psychological topics and debate with their peers on them.
- Presence and Participation (10%): Students should be present and actively participate in in-class discussions.
Readings
Book:
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2017). Social psychology (10th edition). Cengage Learning.
Key Research Papers:
- Asch, S. E. (1951). “Effects of group pressure upon the modification and distortion of judgments.” Group Dynamics, 1(4), 303-310.
- Milgram, S. (1963). “Behavioral study of obedience.” Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371-378.
- Festinger, L. (1957). “A theory of cognitive dissonance.” Stanford University Press.
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). “An integrative theory of intergroup conflict.” The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, 33, 47-74.
- Bandura, A., Ross, D., & Ross, S. A. (1961). “Transmission of aggression through imitation of aggressive models.” Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 63(3), 575-582.
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