Social Psychology: Theories and Applications

PSYC A321 Social Psychology: Theories and Applications is a 20-credit higher-level course in the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSSC), Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours (BSSCH), Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology Studies (BSSCPS) and Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Psychology Studies (BSSCHPS) programmes. This course covers the essential concepts, theories and findings in social psychology as well as its areas of application.

Course aims

PSYC A321 Social Psychology: Theories and Applications aims to provide you with:

• the conceptual tools to grasp and analyse the underlying and unifying principles for social behaviour;
• coverage of classical and contemporary research, and everyday applications;
• the relative influences of personality and situational forces on our experiences and behaviour; and
• development of a thoughtful understanding of the factors that influence social behaviours.

Course learning outcomes

Upon the completion of PSYC A321 Social Psychology: Theories and Applications, you should be able to:

• explain and critique the key theories in social psychology in the areas of social thinking, social influence and social relations;
• evaluate the research procedures for conducting a social psychological study and discuss the essential criteria for a sound investigation;
• apply appropriate theories to analyse phenomena in social processes and make evidence-based predictions and intervention suggestions; and
• communicate effectively the ideas and arguments in social psychology orally and in writing.

This section provides information about what materials are needed, and how the assignments and marking are arranged. Please read it carefully.

Course materials

This course will be delivered using a custom textbook supplemented by a Study Guide, online multimedia components and face-to-face sessions.

In this custom textbook approach, different learning modules have been carefully selected by the course team from two textbooks on social psychology and organised into a custom textbook in collaboration with the publisher. By incorporating the latest editions of book chapters, exercises and self-tests, the custom textbook will provide you with a comprehensive coverage of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives and key issues in social psychology.

The Study Guide will provide supplementary materials and additional self-assessment opportunities, on top of those already provided in the custom textbook.

Introductory video

To start off, you should watch the introductory video for the course in the ePub version of this Course Guide or on the OLE. Then turn to the Study Guide for further guidance through the course.

Study Guide

This course consists of 16 Study Guide units. The first two units as a general introduction explain the development and research methods of social psychology. Units 3 and 4 are about the social self and social emotions of individuals. Units 5 to 7 cover the social cognitive processes of social perception, stereotypes, and attitudes. Units 8 to 12 discuss the various social relationships including conformity, group processes, attraction, helping, and aggression. Finally, the last four units consider the application of social psychology to law, business, consumer behaviour, and the environment.

The course material also directs you to additional resources and readings and includes a number of activities and self-tests to help you develop your analytical skills.

Below are descriptions of each of the 16 Study Guide units.

Unit 1 What is social psychology?

This unit begins by pointing out the social nature of humans. It will then define what social psychology is and examine what the field of social psychology is all about. Next, it will give a brief history of social psychology. Finally, it will focus on the current trends of social psychology, with a discussion of the important themes and perspectives that are being applied to the study of contemporary social psychological issues and phenomena.

Reading

Żuromski, D., Fedyniuk, A., & Marek, E. M. (2018). Can new technologies make us more human? An inquiry on VR technologies in social cognition. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 705.

Unit 2 Doing social psychology research

This unit examines how social psychologists do scientific research. We will first discuss the benefits of learning about research methods. Then we will consider how researchers come up with and develop ideas at the beginning of the research process. Next, we will describe how researchers define and measure social psychological variables. After that, we will provide an overview of the research designs that social psychologists use to test their ideas. Finally, we will conclude the unit by addressing important questions about ethics and values, including new controversies and practices in social psychology.

Reading

Wingen, T., Berkessel, J. B., & Englich, B. (2020). No replication, no trust? How low replicability influences trust in psychology. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 11, 454–463.

Unit 3 The social self

How would you describe, evaluate, and regulate yourself? The self is multifaceted. This unit examines three interrelated aspects of the self. We will first explain the idea of self-concept and how it relates to the ways in which we attend to, interpret, and remember the world around us. Second, we will consider self-esteem and discuss the potential costs and benefits associated with the pursuit of self-esteem. Third, we will describe how individuals regulate their behaviours and present themselves to others. Finally, we will conclude the unit by emphasising that the conception of self is complex and multifaceted.

Reading

Bleidorn, W., Arslan, R. C., Denissen, J. J. A., Rentfrow, P. J., Gebauer, J. E., Potter, J., & Gosling, S. D. (2016). Age and gender differences in self-esteem — A cross-cultural window. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111, 396–410.

Unit 4 Emotion and affect

This unit examines emotion and affect. We will first define emotion, and contrast conscious emotion and automatic affect. Second, we will compare the three theories of emotion, and identify the role of arousal and appraisal in emotion. Third, we will describe five important emotions and how feelings of them can lead to good relationships that enhance survival and reproduction. Then we will summarise why we have emotions in terms of the benefits and drawbacks of both interpersonal and evolutionary systems. Next, we will examine whether emotions differ across culture and gender, and describe the role of arousal in attention and performance. Finally, we will define emotional intelligence, and explain how it relates to emotional regulation.

Reading

Tamir, M., Schwartz, S. H., Oishi, S., & Kim, M. Y. (2017). The secret to happiness: Feeling good or feeling right? Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 146, 1448–1459.

Unit 5 Perceiving persons

This unit examines social perception — the process through which people come to know and understand one another.

We will first examine the kinds of information that we use to make sense of other people, including persons, situations, and behaviours. Then we will turn to the process of causal attribution, with the goal of understanding how people explain and analyse others' behaviour and their own. Next, we will consider how people combine various pieces of information into a coherent perception of other persons. After that, we will discuss how confirmation biases create a distorted picture of reality. Finally, we will conclude the unit by showing how and why we make snap judgements about other people, and the process by which we observe others carefully based on logical analysis of the target individual, situation, and behaviour.

Reading

Zebrowitz, L. A. (2017). First impression from faces. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26, 237–242.

Unit 6 Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination

This unit focuses on stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. We will first examine the nature of the problems of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Then we will explain a variety of causes underlying these problems. Finally, we will conclude the unit by suggesting a number of ways to reduce stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.

Reading

Kauff, M., Beneda, M., Paolini, S., Bilewicz, M., Kotzur, P., O'Donnell, A. W., Stevenson, C., Wagner, U., & Christ, O. (2021). How do we get people into contact? Predictors of intergroup contact and drivers of contact seeking. Journal of Social Issues, 77, 38–63.

Unit 7 Attitudes

This unit focuses on attitudes. We will first define attitudes, discuss how they are measured and formed, and explain when they are most likely to predict behaviour. We will then distinguish the peripheral and central routes to persuasion, and identify factors that dictate which route is more effective under different circumstances. Finally, we will consider theories and research showing that people often change their attitudes because of their own actions.

Reading

Kenrick, A. C., Sinclair, S., Richeson, J., Verosky, S. C., & Lun, J. (2016). Moving while Black: Intergroup attitudes influence judgments of speed. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 145, 147–154.

Unit 8 Conformity

This unit begins by considering the reasons why people conform to group norms. Then, we will study the ways to elicit compliance when making a direct request. Next, we will investigate the causes and effects of obedience in commands from authority. In the last section, we will discuss the continuum of social influence.

Reading

Goodmon, L. B., Gavin, D. J., Urs, M., & Akus, S. N. (2020). The power of the majority: Social conformity in sexual harassment punishment selection. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 50, 441–455.

Unit 9 Group processes

This unit begins by investigating why people are drawn to groups and how groups develop. Then we will examine how the presence of others affects the behaviours of individuals. Next, we will focus on group performance and discuss why the group decision or performance often differs from the sum of the individual attitudes and abilities of the group members. Finally, we will examine how groups intensify or resolve their differences in conflict situations.

Reading

Silke, A. (2003). Deindividuation, anonymity, and violence: Findings from Northern Ireland. Journal of Social Psychology, 143, 493–499.

Unit 10 Attraction and close relationships

This unit begins by describing the fundamental human motive: the need to belong, what drives people to affiliate, and the issue of loneliness. Next, we will examine the individual and situational factors that contribute to the initial attraction to a particular person. Then we will discuss different types of relationships and their characteristics. Finally, we will examine the issues regarding conflict in relationships, marital satisfaction and the end of intimate relationships.

Reading

Little, A. C., Burt, D. M., & Perrett, D. I. (2006). What is good is beautiful: Face preference reflects desired personality. Personality and Individual Differences, 41, 1107–1118.

Unit 11 Helping others

We begin the unit with a section on evolutionary and motivational factors in explaining why people help others. Then, we will explore the situational factors that affect whether someone will offer help and the infamous bystander effect experiment will be discussed. Next, we will investigate the personal factors of helping behaviour and answer the question: who is more likely to help? The last section will cover the interpersonal influences and explore the factors that affect the likelihood of the person in need receiving help.

Reading

Nikolskaya, A. V., Kostrigin, A. & Thurmer, A. (2020). A comparative analysis of the personality traits and motivations for activities on the part of volunteers helping people and those assisting homeless animals. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 30, 667–679.

Unit 12 Aggression

This unit begins with learning the definition of aggression and differentiating between different types of aggression. Then, we will consider the role of culture, gender, and individual differences in relation to aggression. After that, we will discuss the origins of aggression and go through the situational factors that increase human proneness to aggression. Next, we will examine the media influence on aggression, including media violence and pornography. Finally, we will conclude the unit by describing ways to reduce aggression and violence.

Reading

Szlemko, W. J., Benfield, J. A., Bell, P. A., Deffenbacher, J. L., & Troup, L. (2008). Territorial markings as a predictor of driver aggression and road rage. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 38, 1664–1688.

Unit 13 Applying social psychology to law

In this unit, we start off by understanding social psychology in relation to eyewitness testimony and alibis, lie-detector tests and confessions, and the forensic sciences. Next, we will examine the stages involved in a jury trial: jury selection, the trial process in which jurors are exposed to evidence as well as possibly biased information, and jury deliberation. Then we will discuss the sentencing process and the prison experience. Finally, we will examine the issues regarding people's perceptions of justice.

Reading

Hartwig, M., Granhag, P. A., Stromwall, L., Wolf, A. G., Vrij, A., & Hjelmsä ter, E. R. (2011). Detecting deception in suspects: Verbal cues as a function of interview strategy. Psychology, Crime & Law, 17, 643–656.

Unit 14 Applying social psychology to business

First, we will discuss the social influences on personnel selection and performance appraisals in the workplace. Next, we will look at different approaches to leadership and the issue of motivation at work. Finally, we will explore economic decision-making, including social influences in the stock markets and other business settings.

Reading

Bourdage, J. S., Schmidt, J., Wiltshire, J., Nguyen, B., & Lee, K. (2020). Personality, interview performance, and the mediating role of impression management. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 93, 556–577.

Unit 15 Applying social psychology to consumer behaviour

First, we will discuss different personal needs that are met by purchasing products or services. After that, we will look at how consumers make purchasing decisions and how the store environment can influence consumer behaviour. Next, we will explain the effect of paying with credit on consumer decisions and how terror management theory explains motivations behind consumer behaviour. Then, we will explore how the Internet influences the purchasing behaviour and the dark side of consumption. Finally, we will consider the post-consumption processes.

Reading

Monk, R. L., Westwood, J., Heim, D., & Qureshi, A. W. (2017). The effect of pictorial content on attention levels and alcohol‐related beliefs: An eye‐tracking study. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 47, 158–164.

Unit 16 Applying social psychology to the environment

This unit begins by providing an overview of environmental problems and identifying barriers to solving those environmental problems. Then it will discuss the problems related to overpopulation and evaluate environmental quality that can affect our mood, work performance, and physical health. Next, it will explain the ways to conserve scarce natural resources. After that, it will explore the impact of environmental disasters on people. Finally, it will examine how to apply social psychology to save the environment.

Reading

Zelenski, J. M., Dopko, R. L., & Capaldi, C. A. (2015). Cooperation is in our nature: Nature exposure may promote cooperative and environmentally sustainable behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 42, 24–31.

Presentation Schedule

The Presentation Schedule is available on the OLE under 'Course schedules', and it gives the dates for completing your assignments, and for attending tutorials, day schools, and so on.

The custom textbook

A custom textbook will be provided to you as an integral part of your course package. You will need to refer to the custom textbook for each unit of the course. The custom textbook comprises selected chapters from the following publications:

Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2021). Social psychology (11th ed.). Cengage.

Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2021). Social psychology and human nature (5th ed.). Cengage.

These two textbooks are popular social psychology textbooks for their reader-friendly presentation and comprehensive coverage of the classic as well as the latest research.

Course readings

You will need to refer to the required readings for each unit. You should follow the instructions in each unit to locate the relevant readings.

Reference books

Aronson, E., Wilson, D. W., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (2018). Social psychology (9th ed.). Pearson.

Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2017). Social psychology and human nature (4th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Branscombe, N. R., & Baron, R. A. (2017). Social psychology (14th ed.). Pearson.

Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., & Nisbett, R. E. (2016). Social psychology (4th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.

Goodfriend, W. (2018). Taking sides. Clashing views in social psychology (6th ed.). Mcgraw-Hill Education.

Hopkins, D. (2017). Social psychology and behavioral science. Willford Press. Maio, G. R., & Haddock, G. (2012). Psychology of attitudes. SAGE.

Preves, S. E., & Mortimer, J. T. (2011). Classic and contemporary perspectives in social psychology: A reader. Oxford University Press.

Smith, E. R., Mackie, D. M., & Claypool, H. M. (2015). Social psychology (4th ed.). Psychology Press.

Tyson, P. J., & Jones, D. (2011). Psychology in social context: Issues and debates. Wiley-Blackwell.

Assessment

Your performance will be evaluated by continuous assessment in terms of the best five out of six written assignments (60%) and a final examination (40%). You must pass both evaluations to pass the course.

Assignments

The six assignments are in the form of essay-type questions. Assignment 1 covers Units 1 and/or 2; Assignment 2 Units 3 and/or 4; Assignment 3 Units 5 and/or 6 and/or 7; Assignment 4 Units 8 and/or 9; Assignment 5 Units 10 and/or 11 and/or 12; and Assignment 6 Units 13 and/or 14 and/or 15 and/or 16. These assignments emphasise your critical and analytical skills and are designed to help you explore the key perspectives and concerns in social psychology.

Assignment submission extension policy

The assignment policy of the University as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit the assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.

Applications for extensions must be submitted online via the OLE. Please note the following:

• Supporting documents must be submitted to justify applications for extensions of over seven days.
• Applications for extensions should normally be lodged before or on the due date.
• Applications are considered by:
  • your tutor for extensions of up to seven days;
  • the Course Coordinator for extensions of 8 to 21 days; and
  • the Dean for extensions of over 21 days.

According to the University's policy, there is no extension of the due date for the final assignment.

Assignments must be submitted online via the OLE. For more information, please see the Assignment File 'general information' section on the OLE.

Examination

A course-end examination will be held to assess course performance.

Assessment summary

The following table brings together the units, the time taken to complete them, and the assignments that follow them.

Please ensure that you make the most of tutor contact hours and tutorials, the day schools, and online materials.

To reach the desired learning outcomes, you will need to:

• read the materials;
• interact with the materials that you have read;
• work through the assigned readings;
• attempt the activities in the materials and connect these attempts to the feedback provided; and
• produce and present assignments to the tutor or Course Coordinator within the specified timeframe.

Online Learning Environment

This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find course materials and the latest course information on the OLE, and use the discussion board to communicate with your tutor, the Course Coordinator and fellow students.

Tutors and tutorials

Tutorials

Fourteen two-hour tutorials are provided in support of PSYC A321 Social Psychology: Theories and Applications. Tutorials are not compulsory, but you are strongly encouraged to attend.

Day schools

You will be offered three three-hour day schools in this course. The speaker will present an introduction and overview of the course in the first day school. In the second and third day schools, he/she will provide course revision and guidance on the assignments.

PSYC A321 aims to provide you with the psychological concepts required to grasp the underlying principles of social behaviour. Alongside the coverage of classical and contemporary research, everyday applications will be discussed. We hope you will develop a thoughtful understanding of the factors that influence social behaviours from a psychological perspective.

In studying the course, you will refer to a custom textbook and readings. Support will be provided through tutorials, day schools and the OLE. The course will be assessed through six written assignments and a final examination.

Dr Sammy Ho obtained his doctoral degree in education from Hong Kong Baptist University, after his master’s degree in applied psychology from City University of Hong Kong. Dr Ho has rich experience in teaching undergraduate level psychology courses. His research interests include psychological assessment and community development.

Dr Joane Leung is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in clinical psychology, the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom. She is also a chartered member of the British Psychological Society and chartered associate of the International Positive Psychology Association. Dr Leung is experienced in teaching undergraduate level psychology courses and has been a corporate training consultant for years.