Columbia University PSYC W2630: Social Psychology Fall 2015 Time: Tu. & Th. 2:40-3:55 Room: 501 Schermerhorn Instructor: Svetlana Komissarouk E-mail: Skomissarouk@psych.columbia.edu Office: Room 329, Schermerhorn Office hours: Tu. & Th. 4:00-5:00 TA contact and office hours: TBA Required Textbook: Smith, E.R., Mackie, D.M. & Claypool, H. (2015). Social Psychology (4th ed.). New York, NY: Psychology Press. Textbook website: http://www.routledgetextbooks.com/textbooks/9781848728943/ The textbook will be available for purchase at the Columbia University bookstore or online, for example on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1848728948/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=194 4687602&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe- 1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1841694096&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=16GA PAF636F2TSKSE48B 1
Course description. This class will provide a broad overview of the field of Social Psychology and will place emphasis on Social Psychology as a scientific discipline. Over the semester we will learn about the different subfields of Social Psychology and about the current questions and debates that are concerning psychologists today. We will also discuss the different ways to apply psychological knowledge outside of the lab. Prior to each class, every student will be expected to read the assigned reading, and come prepared to be an active and thoughtful class discussion participant. Course objectives: Describe the major theories and research in the field of Social Psychology. Gain insight into one's own personality, personal relationships and behavior as influenced by social environment. Explore the ways that psychological theories are used to describe, understand, predict, and control or modify behavior. Appreciate the variety of ways psychological data is gathered and evaluated. Apply the knowledge of Social Psychology to everyday life experience. Course requirements and grading. The grade in this course will be based on midterm and final examination and on 4 short individual assignments that you will receive during the semester. A. Exams (35% and 45%). There are two exams a midterm exam (worth 35% of the final grade) and a final exam (worth 45% of the final grade). Each exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions (3 points each), and 5 open-ended short essay questions (5 points each). The exam will be based on all materials of the course - both from the lectures and from the textbook. B. Out-of-class exercises (4, each 5%). There will be four out-of-class assignments posted on-line. These exercises will involve common everyday life situations and are designed to provide students with the opportunity to read about and practice various social psychological research methods and analysis. One of the exercises will involve participating in a group activity during the class and writing an individual analysis of this activity applying the acquired knowledge about interaction and performance in groups. Each exercise will be graded as Fail (if not handed in or completed as instructed), C, B, and A (for exceptional work). The exercises as a whole are worth 20% of the final grade. It is expected that all students will complete on time and hand in all 4 exercises. Under 2
exceptional circumstances, an alternative to conducting a specific exercise will be considered. A student should not take the course if he or she does not want to participate in the research exercises. Class policies. Class Etiquette It is important to maintain a classroom environment that is respectful and conducive to learning. Arrive on time and stay for the duration of the lecture. Do not chat with your neighbor during class. Not only is this inconsiderate and disruptive to your fellow students, but the acoustics of the room are such that I can usually hear you and I find it very distracting. Cell phones are not permitted. Laptops may be used. However, please be considerate to those around you if you do use one. Probably, there are many people out there who are capable of multi-tasking between a high-level discussion of social psychology and checking status updates on Facebook or Twitter, but please be considerate of the fact that checking non-course-related materials on your laptop can be distracting to those around you. If you violate this policy, we will ask you to stop. If we have to do this more than once, your laptop privileges will be revoked. Academic Integrity Academic integrity means presenting only your own novel work in your assignments. Taking credit for the work of others (or even recycling your own past work) is a serious violation of the academic community, and anyone found to be guilty of cheating or plagiarizing will receive a zero for that assignment and will be reported to the University. Information on what constitutes a violation of academic integrity can be found in Columbia s Undergraduate Guide to Academic Integrity (http://www.college.columbia.edu/academics/integrity). That said, if you have any questions about how to appropriately cite existing work or build upon someone else s ideas, please feel free to contact your TA, and they will be happy to help. Tentative Reading List. The following is the preliminary reading list, which is subject to revision during the semester. Date Topic Reading 9/8 What is Social Psychology Chapter 1 9/10 Research Methods Chapter 2 9/15 Research Methods (cont.) Chapter 2 9/17 Perceiving individuals Chapter 3 3
9/22 Attitudes and attitude change Chapter 7 9/24 Attitudes and behavior Chapter 8 9/24 Hand out assignment # 1 9/29 Self Chapter 4 10/1 Self (cont.) Chapter 4 10/6 Stereotypes and prejudice Chapter 5 10/8 Stereotypes and prejudice (cont.) Chapter 5 10/13 Social identity Chapter 6 10/13 Hand out assignment # 2 10/15 Social identity (cont.) Chapter 6 10/20 Midterm exam 10/22 Groups Chapter 9 10/27 Norms, conformity, behavior Chapter 10 10/29 Interaction and Performance in groups Chapter 11 11/3 Election day, University holiday 11/5 In class group exercise A 11/10 In class group exercise B 11/10 Hand out assignment # 3 11/12 Norms, conformity, behavior (cont.) Chapter 10 11/17 Attraction, relationships and love Chapter 12 11/19 Attraction, relationships and love Chapter 12 11/24 Aggression and conflict Chapter 13 11/26 Thanksgiving day, University holiday 12/1 Aggression and conflict (cont.) Chapter 13 12/3 Helping and cooperation Chapter 14 12/3 Hand out assignment # 4 4
12/8 Helping and cooperation Chapter 14 12/10 Summary TBA Final exam Important tips for the required (textbook) reading: Keep up with the textbook reading. It is challenging and will probably take more time than you expect. You will not be happy (and you will probably not do as well) if you try to read several chapters just before an exam. You are expected to read all of the assigned material, including accompanying figures. The exams will cover all of the assigned textbook material, including topics not covered in class, though test questions will be easier for topics that we do not discuss in class. Check out the textbook web site. Among other helpful study aids, it has electronic Student quizzes that you can use to prepare for exams. Good luck! 5