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Identity & Prejudice - PSY00108M

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Lusine Grigoryan
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

Social groups matter. They help us survive, satisfy our need to belong, and give us reference points for meaning making. They also structure the social world around us and contribute to our understanding of who we are in relation to others. However, membership in social groups can also have negative consequences, ranging from a preferential treatment of our own groups to outgroup discrimination and violence. This module aims to provide an overview of psychological approaches to social identity and prejudice. We will explore theories of intergroup relations to understand why racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination are so persistent. We will discuss how psychological research can contribute to our understanding of immigration, political polarization, and extremism. Finally, we will analyze different approaches to prejudice reduction and discuss their potential for real-life interventions.

Module learning outcomes

  • Describe and critically evaluate major theoretical approaches to explaining prejudice
  • Give an account of key findings in each of the topics covered
  • Compare the benefits and limitations of different approaches to prejudice reduction
  • Critically evaluate the implications and limitations of these findings for social change

Module content

  • Psychological approaches to prejudice
  • Stereotyping
  • Social identity
  • Intersectionality
  • Immigration and acculturation
  • Extremism and intergroup violence
  • Prejudice reduction

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Identity & Prejudice		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Identity & Prejudice		 N/A 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Brown, R. (2010). Prejudice: Its Social Psychology, 2nd Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.