SOCI 253 - Introduction to Social Psychology

PREREQUISITES: PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or SOCI 111 - Introduction to Sociology and ENGL 111 - English Composition
PROGRAM: Social Sciences
CREDIT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2018

The study of social psychology as a science, and how social psychologists study the interactions within and between individuals, social groups and institutions. This course cross lists with PSYC 253 - Introduction to Social Psychology. A student completing this course cannot receive additional credit for PSYC 253 - Introduction to Social Psychology.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

Describe the classic and contemporary theories and findings that form the shared heritage of the discipline.
Demonstrate comprehension of the main theoretical perspectives and their application to different topics in the field, such as the self, attitudes and prejudice.
Demonstrate how theories and research methods apply to everyday experiences and social problems.
Demonstrate comprehension of the concept of social perception, how it develops and its effect on the understanding, awareness, and behavior of the individual and groups.
Describe how individuals interpret the behavior of others and themselves and its causes.
Describe the effect of the presence of others on performance and why this effect occurs.
Describe the dynamics and behavior of groups and individuals within those groups.
Demonstrate an understanding of aggression, its effects, and causes.
Demonstrate an understanding of prejudice, its effects, and causes.
Demonstrate an understanding of persuasion and why some individuals might be more persuasive than others.
Use social psychological theories to think critically about the social world.

COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -

Social cognition

The self

Attitudes

Persuasion

Prejudice/racism

Conformity/obedience

Group behavior

Gender

Aggression

Stress and coping

Attribution

Groupthink

Scapegoating