spring 2019 PSY-1705 Social Psychology - 10 ECTS

Type of course

The course is mandatory in the Professional Studies in Psychology.Not available as a singlular course 

Course content

Social psychology aims to "understand and explain how the thought, feeling and behavior of individuals is influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of others" (Allport, 1954). The course covers important areas in social cognition; among others: automatic thought processes, attitudes, stereotypes and prejudice, social norms, intergroup emotions and relations, mood, the self-concept, and cultural influences. The lectures introduce theoretical and methodological principles in basic social psychology. Further, social psychology will be presented as an applied discipline that allows to design interventions that change behavior and contribute to solving issues in close relations, communities, organizations, and in society.

Objectives of the course

After the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Explain individuals' thought, feeling, and behavior as the result of social factors such as group membership and social norms;
  • Explain the roles of conscious and unconscious thought processes in social perception and behavior;
  • Explain how various methods such as for example persuasive communication can be used to change individuals' and groups' thought and behavior.

Skills:

  • Identify and apply appropriate social psychological theories and methods for the measurement of attitudes and beliefs at the group level;
  • Identify and apply appropriate social psychological theories and methods for prevention and intervention at the group level.

General competences:

  • Develop a simple social psychological intervention or campaign, completely from the initial problem description to the subsequent evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness.


Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

24 lecture hours. The lectures introduce theoretical and methodological principles in basic and applied social psychology through published research. In short classroom exercises the students practice the principles and apply them to real-world social issues.

Assessment

Exame: Short-answer school-type exam (4 hours), graded A-F (where F = fail).

For grade F, a follow-up exam is offered early in the next semester.


Recommended reading/syllabus

Will be available in Canvas before the beginning of the semester

Error rendering component

  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: PSY-1705