PSYC2800Z: Social Psychology Course Outline Spring 2012 (January April 2012)

Transcription

1 Jan 14, 2012 PSYC2800Z: Social Psychology Course Outline Spring 2012 (January April 2012) Topic Learning Outcomes Learning Activities Introduction and Course Overview Module 1: Social Psychology: The Science of the Social Side of Life Jan 21, 2012 Module 2: Social Cognition: How to think about the social world 1.1 Define social psychology and discuss the types of issues this field considers. 1.2 State the four key components of a science. 1.3 Contrast social psychology with common sense approaches to knowledge. 1.4 Consider the relationship between evolution and social behavior. 1.5 Discuss some of the major contemporary research trends in social psychology. 1.6 Define and discuss social neuroscience. 1.7 Consider how implicit or nonconscious processes shape our behavior. 1.8 Consider the advantages and limitations of systematic observations and the survey method. 1.9 Describe the correlational method, including the meaning of correlational coefficients and the key drawback of this method Outline the nature of the experimental method, including all of the key components of this methodology Explain the role of mediating variables in causality Define the term theory and describe the procedure involved in building theories Consider when and how deception is used in social psychological research Discuss the importance of informed consent and debriefing in social psychological research. 2.1 Discuss what is meant by social cognition and list the basic assumptions that most social psychologists have with respect to cognitive processes. 2.2 State the basic purpose and function of schemas, as well as the three basic processes that they influence. 2.3 Explain the role of priming and unpriming in the activation and persistence of schemas. 2.4 Consider how our schemas may (or may not) be altered in the face of new information. 2.5 Discuss how the self-fulfilling prophecy may operate in certain applied settings, such as classroom environments. 2.6 Explain why we often use heuristics and the consequences of their use. 2.7 Examine why we tend to show a negativity bias particularly from an evolutionary or biological perspective. 2.8 Discuss the optimistic bias and its specific forms the overconfidence barrier and the planning fallacy. 2.9 Identify the effects that counterfactual thinking may have on our mood and general well-being State the meaning of magical thinking, as well as the principles that pertain to this pattern of cognition. Read Chapter 1 Read Chapter 2 Jan 28, Describe the major purpose and functions of social Read Chapter 3 Page 1 of 6

2 Module 3: Social Perception: Perceiving and Understanding Others Feb 4, 2012 Module 4: The Self: Answering the question Who am I? Module 5: Attitudes: Evaluating and responding to the social world Feb 11, 2012 Module 6: The Causes, Effects, and Cures of Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination perception. 3.2 Define what is meant by nonverbal communication. 3.3 Describe the five (or perhaps six) basic emotions expressed in unique facial expressions. 3.4 Describe how nonverbal communications are transmitted. 3.5 Identify and describe the five key nonverbal cues that may allow us to recognize deception. 3.6 Describe and contrast the major attributional errors: the correspondence bias, the actor observer effect, and the selfserving bias. 3.7 Discuss how attribution theory has been applied to the study of depression. 3.8 Explain why attributional errors can sometimes be beneficial to our well-being and relationships with others. 3.9 List self-enhancement tactics and other-enhancement tactics used in impression management. Module Describe the four self presentation tactics we can use to put our best foot forward 4.2 Explain the two perspectives on how we acquire selfknowledge 4.4 Describe the ways in which social identity can be affected by a social situations as well as by the people around. 4.5 Define and discuss possible selves. 4.6 Describe how perceptions of self-control and self-efficacy influence how we view the self. 4.7 Define self-esteem and describe how it is measured by researchers. 4.8 Outline social comparison theory and distinguish between upward and downward social comparisons. 4.9 Discuss if being overly optimistic is good for people. Module Describe what attitudes are and why they are of interest to social psychologists. 5.2 Outline the ways in which we may acquire attitudes through learning. 5.3 Discuss the role of social comparison in attitude acquisition. 5.4 Outline the role of the context in the link between attitudes and behavior. 5.5 Describe the aspects of attitudes themselves and how they may influence behavior. 5.6 Contrast systematic and heuristic processing in terms of how they relate to persuasion. 5.7 Describe why and how we may resist persuasion by discussing reactance, forewarning, and selective avoidance. 5.8 Describe cognitive dissonance and how it can be reduced. 6.1 Describe the difference between stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. 6.2 Discuss how gender stereotypes and differential respect often provide the foundation for the cognitive bases of sexism. 6.3 Discuss what is meant by a glass ceiling and a glass escalator. 6.4 Consider why tokenism exists and its implications. 6.5 Offer a basic overview of how stereotypes operate. 6.6 Explain how schemas provide the basic foundations for stereotypes and how stereotypes influence our information Read Chapter 4 Read Chapter 5 Read Chapter 6 Page 2 of 6

3 Feb 18, 2012 Work with Group on Project 1 processing. 6.7 State the two basic reasons for why prejudice persists. 6.8 Explain how realistic conflict theory helps to understand the origins of prejudice. 6.9 Discuss how the social learning view of prejudice affects how a person develops attitudes about other racial or ethnic groups. Project 1 is based on Chapters 1 to 6 in the textbook and the lectures. Feb 25, 2012 Reading Break Mar 3, 2012 Mid-term Exam (40%) Project 1 Due (10%) Mar 10, 2012 Module 7: Interpersonal Attraction, Close Relationships, and Love March 17, 2012 Module 8: Social influence: Changing others behavior Module 9: Prosocial behavior: Helping others 7.1. Describe the need for affiliation including how it is influenced by personal as well as situational factors State the two most important characteristics of affect and note how emotions can influence attraction Understand how proximity and repeated exposure can influence attraction (for better and sometimes worse) Consider how and why people evaluate others on the basis of physical attractiveness Understand the role that similarity plays in attraction Explain the repulsion hypothesis and how it is viewed by most contemporary social psychologists Highlight the key predictions of balance theory Detail and contrast the four types of attachment Outline some of the major characteristics of parent-child and sibling relationships Consider the nature of close friendships and highlight gender differences in close friendships Explain the differences between men and women in what they look for in a mate according to evolutionary theory Clarify how passionate love differs from unrequited and companionate love Contrast the elements of Hendrick and Hendrick s (1986) love styles with that of Sternberg s (1986) triangular model of love Discuss the costs of secret relationships. Module Describe the differences between conformity, compliance, obedience, and symbolic social influence. 8.2 Explain what a social norm is and how it functions. 8.3 Consider how cohesiveness and group size affect conformity. 8.4 Contrast descriptive and injunctive norms and, in doing so, state the relevance of normative focus theory. 8.5 Identify the differences between normative and informational Chapters 1 6 Lectures Read Chapter 7 Read Chapter 8 Read Chapter 9 Page 3 of 6

4 March 24, 2012 Module 10: Aggression: Its nature, causes, control Mar 31, 2012 Module 11: Group and individuals: The consequences of belonging social influence. 8.6 Discuss the various reasons why we sometimes do not or cannot conform. 8.7 Describe when and how the minority can influence the majority. 8.8 List the six basic principles of compliance and the seven tactics for gaining compliance that are grounded in these principles. Module Describe why we engage in prosocial behavior. 9.2 Outline the five essential steps to a prosocial response in an emergency. 9.3 Discuss situational factors that can either enhance or inhibit helping. 9.4 Explain how bystanders emotional state may influence their decision to help. 9.5 Discuss the nature of empathy, how it develops, and why people may be more likely to help members of their own group. 9.6 Outline how social exclusion may influence helping behavior. 9.7 Describe the qualities of the altruistic personality. 9.8 Explain the various motives for volunteering. Module Describe the evolutionary perspectives in terms of how aggression develops State the purpose of drive theories of aggression and note the most well-known of these theories Describe the modern approached to the study of aggression including social learning approach and the general aggression model Outline the major points of excitation transfer theory Discuss the links between violence and the media Define cultures of honor and discuss the issue of sexual jealousy Identify individual difference or personal causes of aggression Identify the nature of gender differences in aggression Discuss how temperature and alcohol may influence aggression Contrast the characteristics of bullies, victims, and bully/victims and describe the ways by which bullying behavior can be reduced Discuss workplace violence and summarize the three main categories of aggression in the workplace Describe ways to prevent workplace violence Identify the various techniques that can be used to reduce aggression. Module Define what is meant by a group and the role that entiativity plays in studying groups Identify how roles, status, norms, and cohesiveness allow a group to function Outline the benefits and costs associated with joining a group Explain why social loafing occurs and ways to reduce it Define and give reasons why deindividuation occurs. Read Chapter 10 Read Chapter 11 Page 4 of 6

5 11.6 Contrast the terms cooperation and conflict Identify the basic nature and causes of conflict as well as ways to reduce it Explain the importance of perceived fairness in groups Discuss the nature and consequences of group polarization Discuss the nature, underlying causes, and consequences of groupthink Define brainstorming, and discuss whether or not brainstorming leads to more creative ideas April 7, 2012 Work with Group on Project 2 Project 2 is based on Chapters 7 to 12 in the textbook and the lectures. April 14, 2012 Module 12: Social Psychology: A Guide to Dealing with Adversity and Achieving a Happy Life April 28, 2012 Final Exam (40%) Project 2 Due 12.1 Consider why loneliness develops, its consequences, and ways to overcome it Discuss the importance and role of similarity, assumed similarity, individual differences in a happy marriage Discuss how a communal approach and positive illusions factor into a stable relationship 12.4 Identify the genetic environmental and social roots of obesity Provide an overview of the physical and psychological consequences of stress Outline social support as coping mechanism for stress Outline the effects that police lineups may have on the general impact of a trial before it begins Identify the influence of prejudice and stereotypes on the legal system and ways the impact of prejudice can be reduced Identify how wealth is related to happiness Identify ways to improve happiness. Read Chapter 12 Chapters 7 12 Lectures Textbook: Baron, R.A., Branscombe, R.N. (2012). Social Psychology. 13 th Edition. Pearson. Marking Scheme Project 1 = 10% Mid-term Exam = 40% Project 2 = 10% Final Exam = 40% Page 5 of 6

6 Grading System (A+) (B+) (C+) (D+) (A) (B) (C) (D) (A-) (B-) (C-) 0-49 (F) Exam Policies All exams are closed book. Exams must be written on the date scheduled (no exceptions). If you miss an exam without a legitimate documented reason you will receive a score of zero on that exam. Students who fail to write an exam must provide satisfactory evidence of illness or extenuating circumstances AND must have the approval of the Associate Dean for a make-up exam. Only in extraordinary circumstances may students request to write an equivalent invigilated examination at a time other than the scheduled time and place. Students are advised that holiday travel plans do not constitute an extraordinary circumstance. For missed exams, a grade of F will be given. Ethical Conduct The University's policies are described in the Calendar and all students are expected to read and comply with them. Special care should be taken to understand and avoid the Academic Offenses of Plagiarism and Cheating listed in the Student Discipline Policy in the calendar. Instructor Dr. M. Ally ally.mohamed@uleth.ca Page 6 of 6