Sociology - Social Psychology
Social Psychology (PSYC 2260)
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Credits:
3.00
Description:
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence and relate to one another. The four basic themes are: 1) Social thinking: How we view ourselves and others and how we assess the accuracy of our impressions, intuitions and explanations; 2) Social influence: Examining the nature of conformity, persuasion and group influence so we can better recognize their influence upon us; 3) Social relations: Examining positive and negative attitudes and behavior in areas such as attraction, altruism, aggression, violence and peacemaking; and 4) Application of psychological principles to law, business and health.
Topical Outline:
Learning Outcomes:
1. 1. Understand social psychological theories and apply the principles to current and past world events as well as one’s own life
2. 2. Understand research methods used in the field and be able to evaluate research from methodological and ethical perspectives
3. 3. Critically examine self-concept and surroundings in terms of psychological theory and research and understand how sense of well-being is influenced and enhanced by influencing the well-being of others
4. 4. Increase knowledge of own attitudes, ethical views, and behaviors through completion of psychological surveys and web-based exercises and subsequently articulate those views
5. 5. Identify social influences as they relate to self and others and explain individual differences in conformity, intimacy, altruism, and violence
6. 6. Appreciate and analyze the ethical dimensions of legal issues (e.g., scientific jury selection, death qualification, the relative merits of videotaped vs. in-person trials), social issues and scientific psychological studies that are discussed
Prerequisites:
PSYC 1110.
MnTC: