Learning Outcomes:
Appreciate the historical roots of contemporary social psychology. Develop the ability to apply social psychological models to the understanding of modern social issues, including racism and 'modern' racism, materialism, relative deprivation, socio-cultural influence and psychological aspects of health. Appreciate the biological influences on complex human behaviours. Recognise the variety of perspectives made by differing 'schools' of social psychological thought.
Indicative Module Content:
1/ Dynamics within Groups (themes include the development of groups, their dynamics, their group leadership, and optimising group performance).
(3 LECTURES)
2/ Dynamics between Groups (themes include the prejudiced personality, relative group deprivation, modern racism and stereotyping).
(4 LECTURES)
3/ Well-being and Society (themes include the post-materialist society, affluence and happiness, and the role of social equality).
(3 LECTURES)
4/ Applying Social Psychology to Physical and Mental Health (areas covered include the potential and limits of public health models, stress, and Positive Psychology, ‘Nudging’). (4 LECTURES)
5/ The Biological Foundations of Social Psychology (areas covered are Evolutionary Social Psychology, Terror Management, Sex and Gender Differences, Human Sexuality). (4 LECTURES)
6/ Power, Culture and Violence (areas covered include status, the impact of power, the effect of subordination, levels of violence across human history, and the way in which culture shapes people).
(3 LECTURES)