ATILIM UNIVERSITY
Department of Psychology
PSY 217 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
2006-2007 FALL
Instructor Özlem D. Gümüş, Department of Psychology
Office: Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Room No: 222.
Phone: 0 312 586 82 18
E-mail: ogumus@atilim.edu.tr
Office Hours: Thursday 13:30-15:20
Required Reading:
Franzoi, S.L. (2006). Social Psychology. Boston: McGraw Hill.
Additional Reading:
Baron, R.A., & Byrne, D. (2006). Social Psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon
Objectives
- To introduce students to a range of research and theories in classic and contemporary social psychology.
- To develop an understanding of central debates within the discipline.
- To develop intellectual skills in the critical analysis of social psychological theories and in the evaluation of empirical research.
- To understand the application of social psychology to the interpersonal aspects of the Legal System.
Course format
Class meets twice a week for total of three hours (2+1). Class time primarily will be spent on introduction of the day’s topic and discussion. All students are required to read the assigned chapters before they come to the class meetings.
Course requirements
Attendance, quizzes, class participation, one midterm examination and final examination
Quizzes
Five pop-quizzes will be given. Each has 3 points which will be directly added to the final grade.
Class participation
Active and meaningful participation in class discussions is required.
Mid-term examination
Exam will be multiple-choice type, and will assess the knowledge acquired in the first half of the course.
Final examination
Exam will be multiple-choice type, and will assess the overall knowledge acquired in the course covering all of the chapters in the book, and class discussions.
Grading
Attendance +5%, Class participation 5%, Quizzes 15 %, Midterm examination 30 %, Final examination 50%
COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
What is social psychology?
Organizing principles of explanation in Social Psychology
Research Methods and Ethics in Social Psychology
WEEK 2 THE SELF
The nature of the self
The self as both target of attention and active agent
The self as a knowledge structure
The self as social being
WEEK 3 SELF-PRESENTATION AND SOCIAL PERCEPTION
Impression Formation
Making attributions
Biases in attribution
WEEK 4 SOCIAL COGNITION
Categorization and Stereotyping
Mental Shortcuts and Stimulations
Social World beliefs
WEEK 5 ATTITUDES
The nature of attitudes
How are attitudes formed and maintained?
When do attitudes predict behavior?
WEEK 6 PERSUASION
The evolution of theory and research on persuasion
Source, Message, Channel and Audience Variables
The role of the self in persuasion
WEEK 7 PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION
How is stereotyping related to prejudice and discrimination?
What are the social causes of prejudice and discrimination?
Historical manifestations of prejudice and discrimination
MIDTERM
WEEK 8 SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Conformity
Compliance
Obedience
WEEK 9 GROUP BEHAVIOR
Group influence on individual behavior
Decision making in groups
Leadership
Group interests versus Individual Interests
WEEK 10 INTERPERSONAL ATTRACTION
Affiliation needs
Characteristics of the situation and attraction
Characteristics of others and attraction
When social interaction becomes problematic
WEEK 11 INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS
Parent-child attachment and later adulthood relationships
Friendship
Romantic Relationships
Love
WEEK 12 AGGRESSION
The biology of aggression
Learning aggressive behavior
Sexual aggression
Reducing aggression
WEEK 13 PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR: HELPING OTHERS
Why do we help?
When do we help?
Who do we help?
Are there hidden costs for help recipients?
WEEK 14 APPLICATION OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY TO LEGAL SYSTEM
Before the trial begins: Effect of Police Interrogation and pretrial publicity
The testimony eyewitnesses: Problems and solutions
The Effects of attorneys and Judges on Verdicts
Additional influences on Verdicts: Defendant Characteristics and Juror Characteristics
FINAL EXAMINATION