PSY3150 · Contemporary social psychology

Overview

This unit presents contemporary theories, methods, research trends, and findings in social psychology. A social cognitive perspective is used to examine issues such as evolutionary social psychology, self-concepts, attitudes, counterfactual thinking, cognitive biases, conflict, and its resolution. Particular emphasis is placed upon the application of social psychological theories to issues such as psychological health, criminal justice system, social problems such as racism, climate change, social influence, advertising and health promotion, and social media. The content will enable you to apply basic principles from social psychology to real world events, and to understand and interpret more focused and applied research findings.

Areas of study: Psychology Psychological science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate recent theoretical and empirical advances in social psychology research, and how these might contribute to addressing social problems
2. Analyse the applications of social psychology to social issues and recognize the contributions of social psychological phenomena, such as cognitive biases, prejudice, intergroup-conflict, norms and social emotions
3. Appraise different social psychological phenomenon and apply them to social situations and real-world problems
4. Develop skills in the critical evaluation of social psychological theories, empirical evidence, and the types of research designs that can be used to test social psychological hypothesis; and
5. Apply critical thinking skills in formulating a research question and designing an individual research plan to address a social problem

Workload

2 hours of recorded lecture per week. 2 hours of tutorials 10 times per semester. Preparation: 8 hours of background reading/preparation for lectures, tutorials, and assessment tasks per week. Attendance at tutorials is recommended in order to successfully complete in-class activities and related assessment tasks.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.