Social Psychology (Level 7)

Module code: PSY7011-B

Module Aims

Social psychology is concerned with the description and explanation of human behaviour in situations where people are interacting with others. In this module you will gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of the concepts and methods used in explanations of human behaviour when these are applied to individuals and groups in a social context. The nature of groups will be considered including micro groups (for example friendship or work networks) and macro groups (for example gender, age, socioeconomic status, culture). Substantive content will range from traditional social psychological theories and methods to more critical social psychological theories and methods. Trait and type theories of personality will be outlined and the ways in which these can be contrasted with social psychological understandings of individual differences and culture will be explored. Ethical issues in social psychological research will be a key theme throughout the programme as will the application of knowledge to our everyday behaviours and how we consider behaviour change in a social world.

Outline Syllabus

History of social psychology and its methods and the emergence of modern/critical social psychology. Overview of individualistic and collective explanations for behaviour, reference to personality and individual differences and micro and macro social groups, gender, culture. Social perception including person perception, attitudes, attribution. Inter/intra group processes including prejudice, conflict, social identification. Small group processes including norms, leadership, decision making and performance. Social influence including conformity, minority and majority influence. Close relationships, interpersonal attraction, theories and models of relationships.

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