Course Code
PSYC 2330
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15
Max Class Size
35
Course
AN INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Important Notice
This course is not active. Please contact Department Chair for more information.
Typically Offered
To be determined
Overview
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the study of how people think, feel and behave in social contexts, focussing on the problems and methods of social psychology at three levels: individual behaviour, interpersonal behaviour and group behaviour. Examples of the topics include: interpersonal attraction, perceptions of self and others, aggression, conformity, obedience, prejudice, and pro-social behaviour.
Course Content
1. Introduction to Historical Research on Social Psychology
2. Scientific Method in Social Psychology
3. Perception of Self and Others
4. Social Cognition
5. Attitudes and Behaviour
6. Prejudice and Discrimination
7. Interpersonal Attraction
8. Close Relationships
9. Social Influence
10. Pro-social Behaviour
11. Aggression
12. Group Processes
13. Personality and Social Behaviour
14. Physical Environmental Impacts
15. Applied Social Psychology
Learning Activities
This course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives and will include some of the following:
- lectures
- audio visual materials
- small group discussions
- computer simulation exercises
- classroom demonstrations
Means of Assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will include some of the following:
1) Multiple choice, short answer, or essay exams
2) Term project or paper
3) Individual or group presentation
The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
An example of one possible evaluation scheme is as follows:
Literature review paper 15%
Oral or video presentation 10%
2 midterm exams 50%
Final exam 25%
100%
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Describe historical research in social psychology.
2. Identify the main features of the experimental method as used in contemporary social psychological research.
3. Identify the main features of the correlation method as used in contemporary social psychological research.
4. Explain the processes involved in causal attribution.
5. Describe the process of self-perception and the perception of others.
6. Identify the main sources of error in social cognition.
7. Define attitude and describe the measurement of attitudes.
8. Explain the relationship between attitudes and behaviour.
9. Describe methods of persuasion.
10. Describe the theories of attitude change.
11. Identify the primary sources of prejudice.
12. Describe methods of reducing conflict.
13. Describe the main factors related to establishing friendships.
14. Describe the processes involved in evaluating strangers.
15. Identify the major theories used to explain close relationships
16. Describe the processes involved in maintaining relationships and ending relationships.
17. Describe the situational factors that affect conformity, compliance, and obedience.
18. Identify the factors that predict helping behaviour.
19. Describe the theories of altruism and helping behaviour.
20. Describe the processes that lead to conflict and aggression.
21. Describe the social dynamics of aggression.
22. Describe the theories of aggression.
23. Identify the psychological consequences of being a group member.
24. Describe the interaction between situational factors and personality traits.
25. Identify the role of the physical environment in influencing social behaviour.
26. Describe the application of social psychology to the legal system.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A textbook such as one of the following:
Alcock, J.E., Carment, D.W., & Sadava, S.W. (2001). A Textbook of Social Psychology (5th Ed.).
Scarborough, Ontario: Prentice-Hall
Brehm, S.S., & Kassin, S.M. (1999). Social Psychology
(4th Ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin
Text will be updated periodically.
Requisites
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
| Institution | Transfer Details for PSYC 2330 | |
|---|---|---|
| There are no applicable transfer credits for this course. | ||