Course Summary

Psychological Science 316
Social Psychology
Dr. Whitley

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Textbook

 

Bordens, K. S., & Horowitz, I. A. (2002). Social psychology (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Goals

 

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a general introduction to the field of social psychology, with emphasis on major theories and current research in the field.

Course Outline

PART I: INTRODUCTION

• Administrative Introduction
• Theory and Research in Social Psychology

PART II: SOCIAL COGNITION

• Attitude Theory
• Social Perception and Cognition
• The Social Self

PART III: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS

• Interpersonal Attraction
• Aggression
• Prosocial Behavior

PART IV: SOCIAL INFLUENCE

• Social Power
• Persuasion
• Group Processes
• Conformity and Obedience
• Prejudice and Discrimination

Grading

Exams

 

There are five multiple-choice exams worth 60 points each administered using the inQisit system. Exams are not cumulative. The exams are designed to test not only knowledge of the content of the course, but also understanding of it. To this end, a large proportion of the questions ask students to apply and interpret principles, not just feed them back.

 

Reports

 

Four short (3 to 4 pages) reports are assigned, worth 25 points each. These reports require students to interpret events in terms of social psychological theory. Specific instructions are provided for each report after the topic with which the project deals is discussed in class.

 

Discussions

 

There will be in-class small group discussions of each essay topic before students write the paper. Each discussion lasts two class periods on a MWF schedule and one class period on a TTh schedule. Discussions among group members are followed by group reports to the class on the results of their discussions. Students may draw on these discussions and reports when writing their papers, but the papers must show the student's thoughts on the topic; it must not be simply a summary of the discussion and reports. Attendance at group discussions is graded.

 

Grades

 

I use the plus/minus grading system, but I do not assign grades of D+ or D-.

 

I use the web grade book.

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Last Modified: 31 December 2001