Psych 317 Applied Social Psychology Instructor: Jeni Burnette Email: jburnet2@richmond.edu M, W, F 9:20AM- 10:10AM Office: Richmond Hall # 112 Phone: (804) 287 6679 Course webpage: http://blackboard.richmond.edu Classroom number: Richmond Hall 108 Office hours: Monday 1:00-3:00 and by appointment Teaching Assistant: Sheila Hindle Contact: sheila.hindle@richmond.edu Text: Myers, D. G. (2005). Social Psychology (8 th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Recommended Text: Pettijohn, T. (2001). Notable Selections in Social Psychology (3 rd ed.). Connecticut: McGraw-Hill. Articles: A variety of applied social psychological articles will be posted on blackboard. Overview of the course Applied Social Psychology is defined as theory, research, and practice directed toward understanding social problems and improving social conditions. Psychology is a helping profession. The American Psychological Association (APA) declares, The purpose of APA is to advance psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare. Applied social psychologists believe in the value of using social psychological theory to guide research designed to understand and alleviate social problems. Applied social psychology covers a diverse set of research areas. The methodologies employed, common theoretical underpinnings, and the interest in social issues tie these areas together. Additionally, there are connections between the topic areas studied by applied social psychological theories. In the present course we will first explore the basic underlying theories of social psychology focusing on three themes social thinking, social influence, and social relations before applying these theories to social functioning (e.g. mental health, judicial practices, policy, volunteerism, community, sports, the environment, and improving interpersonal relations). Social psychologists study cognitive, motivational, and behavioral processes. We will examine the negative side of human existence: violence, conflict, prejudice, sexism, and selfishness. We will also investigate the positive side of human behavior: interpersonal relationships, friendship, achievement, and helping,. We will explore both routine, everyday situations, as well as events with far-reaching ramifications for our society and the world-at-large: war, political decisions, and environmental preservation. However, linking each one of these topics the negative, the positive, the mundane, and the earth-shaking is the underlying theme of social psychology, which is the fundamental interest in people interacting with other people and their environment. Goals of the course 1. Learning the content: Acquiring a working knowledge of social psychology's theories, methods, and findings and applying them to issues related to health, law, the environment, and other pertinent areas is one of the key goals of this class.
2. Understanding social psychology's methods: Knowing the content of the field is important, but memorizing facts and theories for an exam is only part of what I hope you take away from this class. I also hope that while studying the content of social psychology, you learn to look at behavior through a social psychologist's eyes: to search for the social determinants of human action; to puzzle over the cause of some anomalous social phenomenon; to cast off common sense explanations when they fail to stand up to empirical test. 3. Personal development: By gaining an understanding of social interactions and relationships, you may discover answers to problems you now face, or will face in the future. At a personal level, insights gained by studying human interaction can be applied to your daily life, for social psychologists tend to study processes that we have all experienced. 4. Practical application: Social psychology is a very useful course. No matter what your professional goals, a fundamental knowledge of social interaction should be helpful. Because researchers study such phenomena as communication between people, how we perceive and understand each other, leadership and decision-making processes in groups, competition and cooperation, and persuasion, social psychology yields many practical suggestions for improving relations in many professional and business settings. 5. Enjoyment: Social psychology is a delightful pursuit. Sometimes the material may seem difficult, because social psychologists insist that their explanations be rigorous and empirically testable. The field, however, examines important aspects of human behavior, sheds light on intriguing social processes we have all personally experienced, and yields conclusions that have tremendous practical value. I find that learning about social behavior is a very enjoyable experience (but I am, of course, very biased). Methods We will use a variety of structured learning experiences to achieve these goals, including in-class activities. 1. The classroom. We will spend our classroom time in lecture, discussions, demonstrations, activities, and audiovisual events. Our in-class sessions serve several purposes: they clarify difficult topics discussed in the text, extend the text's content, and offer alternative ways of looking at the topics. I expect that you will have read the assigned sections of the text or article prior to class in order to maximize discussion and learning. I want the class to be as interactive as possible and feel that questions and discussion facilitate not only interest but also learning. 2. The readings. You will acquire much of your information about social psychology by reading and studying the text and reading journal articles. 3. The Web. This class uses World Wide Web-based instruction. In some cases I will email additional information about social psychology. I also may email summaries of difficult information or class discussions. Supplemental readings will also take advantage of blackboard so the course requires students to: use an email address where they can receive mail daily (mail should be read each day); be proficient in using the WWW, including browsing and file-downloading; students will need to visit the course blackboard home page regularly.
Assessment of Learning Exams Your progress toward the goals of the class will be checked through testing. We will have 3 multiple choice examinations each covering about four chapters/modules, class lecture, guest speakers, and assignments. The final exam will include some questions that are cumulative. These questions will focus on broad theories and themes. The exams are designed to assess your factual, applied, and conceptual understanding of the material. Naturally, items on the tests will cover all course material, no matter what its source (e.g., lecture, text, blackboard, guest speakers, group presentations, or film). Writing assignments Book Review: The main writing assignment will be a book review. You will write a 5-6 page review of a book that you choose from the list posted on blackboard. You will also convey your critique of the book to the class in a five to ten minute presentation. The books were chosen because they apply social psychology to areas such as decision-making, aging, the self, etc. I will post more information with descriptions of the books and information on how to write a book review. Group Presentations There will be two types of group presentations. Students will be broken into four groups with three-four students in each group. The first group assignment will involve only a 10-15 minute presentation and a onepage review of an applied article (25 points total). This article will be given to all students to read, but 3-4 students will be in charge of presenting the main findings as a group. You will write the one-page review individually. Groups may also want to provide a brief one-page outline to their class members to help emphasize the main points of the study. These will serve as good reviews come exam time. For the second group assignment, groups will present for one class period applying a social psychological theory, from an assigned chapter, to health, law, culture, the environment, or other areas of interest. These groups will study and learn at least two supplemental articles that apply their chosen theory. The articles must be applied in nature (a good source for this is the Journal of Applied Social Psychology) Additional sources include the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology & Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. You should present the studies in detail, focusing on the theory. This assignment allows the group to choose the articles and area of interest. The chapter is assigned but any theory within that chapter can be used and applied to an area of interest to the group. When you present to the class, keep your points in mind. Provide an outline and use the multi-media equipment. Remember that you need to work cooperatively, after all this is a social psychology class. I encourage you to be creative and interactive use activities or short video clips. You can also use a skit to reenact the study if you want. Teaching requires that you be over-prepared. Make points so that students know what you consider to be important. The group members will present together, provide an outline, and supply four potential multiple choice exam questions and one short answer exam question to me (50 points). Individually, you will turn in your own one-two page review of the articles (25 points). Class policies 1. Arrive on time and plan to remain until the final minute of class. I am careful to make certain that class does not run over, but I expect your attention for the entire class period. If you are not prepared to listen, take notes, and learn, then do not come to class. Attendance is urged, but is not mandatory.
2. If you are ill on the day of an examination, you must email me prior to the class. You will have four days to make up the test. 3. If you have problems attending class, withdraw. You are responsible for withdrawing if you fall behind. 4. Computer Ethics. Students in the class must also abide by the policies and ethics guidelines for computer usage. Students must use their internet and web resources responsibly. 5. Sensitivity. This course examines many aspects of human behavior, so students should realize that they may acquire insight into their own personalities, actions, and tendencies as a result of participation. All of us should strive to remain sensitive to the feelings and perspectives of others during these discussions. Honor Code All work submitted for this class will be your own original work and will require a pledge of adherence to the Honor Systems of University of Richmond. In addition, unless otherwise instructed, all of your efforts in this course should represent completely independent work. No part of your examinations or papers may be shared with other students in this class or future classes. Course Grades Final course grades will be assigned based on the mathematical average of seven components: your three exam grades, your two reaction paper points, your book review/presentation, and your group teaching. Letter grades will be broken down as follows: 93.0-100% = A; 90-92.9999% = A- ; 87.0-89.9999% = B+; 83.0-86.9999% = B; 80.0-82.9999% = B-; 77.0-79.9999% = C+; 73.0-76.9999% = C; 70.0-72.9999% = C- ; 67.0-69.9999% = D+; 63.0-66.9999% = D; 70.0-72.9999% = D- ; 59.9% and below = F. In selected circumstances, grades may be adjusted for students with borderline averages who show tremendous improvement or participate actively in class. Class participation will not be part of the calculated grade percentage, but participation can push you over the hump if you are very close to getting a higher grade. The point value placed on the exams and papers is as follows: Mid-term #1 = 100 Points Mid-term #2 = 100 Points Final Exam = 150 Points Group Article Review = 25 Points Book Review/Presentation = 75 points (50 for review, 25 for presentation) Group Presentations = 75 points (25 for article reviews, 50 for presentation) Total = 525 Points
TOPICS, READINGS, AND DUE DATES Date Topic Reading Due 8/29-9/2 Introduction 1 9/5-9/7 The Self in the Social World 2 Applying Social Psychology to Sports (Group 3 & 4) Articles 9/7 9/9-9/14 Social Beliefs and Judgments 3 Applying Social Psychology to Reducing Stress (Group 2) Article 9/12 9/16 Guest Speaker Article Applying Social Psychology to the Environment 9/19-9/23 Behavior and Attitudes 4 9/26 ***EXAM 1*** (Chapters 1-4) 9/28-9/30 Genes, Culture, and Gender 5 10/3-10/5 Conformity 6 10/7 Guest Speaker 16 Applying Social Psychology to a Sustainable Future 10/10 Persuasion 7 10/12 Group 1 Presentation (Chpt. 5) Applying Theories of Culture and Gender 10/14 Group 2 Presentation (Chpt. 7) Applying Theories of Persuasion 10/17 Fall Study Break 10/19-10/21 Applied Topic Article Applying Groupthink to the Mount Everest Disaster
TOPICS, READINGS, AND DUE DATES (continued) Date Topic Reading Due 10/24 Group Influence 8 10/26 ***EXAM 2*** (Chapters 5-8, 16, Group 1 & 2 Presentations) 10/28-11/4 Prejudice & Aggression 9 & 10 11/7/05 Guest Speaker 15 Applying Social Psychology to Law 11/09 & 11/14 Attraction and Intimacy 11 11/11 Guest Speaker Applying Social Psychology to Business 11/16 Group 3 Presentation (Chpt. 9) Applying Theories of Prejudice 11/18 Group 4 Presentation (Chpt. 10) Applying Theories of Aggression 11/21 Library Day: Sources for Book Reviews 11/23-11/25 THANKSGIVING BREAK 11/28-11/30 Helping 12 Applying Social Psychology to Helping (Group 4) Article 11/30 12/2-12/5 Book Review Presentations Book Reviews 12/2 12/7 Guest Speaker Applying Social Psychology 12/9 Review/Bringing it all Together TBA **** FINAL EXAM*** (Chapters 9-12, & 15 Group 3 & 4 Presentations, (see official schedule) 150 points 50 points are cumulative)