Introduction to Social Psychology - CED00067C

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Module summary

Social psychology can be defined as the study of how individuals are influenced by others. This module introduces key topics including attitudes, groups, conformity, prejudice and aggression. You will develop understanding of issues, debates and perspectives by first developing your understanding of ‘self’ in the social world. This then make sense of subjects such as group behaviours, aggression, prejudice and discrimination, why we are attracted to certain others, what contributes to our first impressions of others, and what influences our ‘helping’ behaviour. Join us as we explore our behaviour in the social world.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Autumn Term 2023-24

Module aims

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the study of social psychology, along with appropriate study skills and methodology at this level, and to introduce students to a range of empirical and theoretical approaches to a range of topics within social psychology.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Begin to apply the skills of psychological analysis to the study of social psychology.
• Begin to demonstrate an understanding of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of humans in relation to their social environment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of a range of historical and contemporary research methods employed in social psychology.
• Begin to evaluate a range of theoretical and empirical perspectives in social psychology.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

• Bull, P. E. (2002). Communication under the microscope: The theory and practice of microanalysis. London: Psychology Press.
• Franzoi, S. L. (2006). Social psychology. (4^th Ed.) London: McGraw Hill.
• Gross, R. (2005). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. (5^th Ed.) London: Hodder Arnold. (Selected chapters)
• Hewstone, M., Stroebe, W., & Jonas, K. (Eds.) (2007). Introduction to social psychology: A European perspective. (4^th Ed.) Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
• Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M. (2008). Social Psychology. (5^th Ed.) Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd.