ATS2821 - Social psychology - 2017

Humans are social animals, though their interaction is not always harmonious. This unit explores social interaction and behaviour - both positive and negative. Developing such an understanding of the self and others enables individuals to gain and exert more control over and get more from relationships, and understand the mechanisms of persuasion and behaviour change. Topics include attitudes, obedience, conformity, group processes, prejudice, aggression, and attraction.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Understand how social behaviour can be studied through a variety of perspectives involving different levels of analysis and varying research methods;
2. Describe the application of a range of key concepts such as schemata, stereotypes, categorisation, causal attribution, obedience, conformity and minority influence;
3. Appreciate how views of some concepts of social behaviour change over time;
4. Understand the powerful role group membership can exert on social behaviour and how outcomes such as aggression, racism, and sexism can be represented as interactions between groups

Within semester assessment: 60% + Exam: 40%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr George Van Doorn

ATS1840 or ATS1359 or equivalent

BHS2713, GSC2713, PSY2042