Level 4 (Year 2)

Credits: 10 ECTS

Module leader: Roberto Muelas Lobato

Office hour: Tuesday from 14:00 to 15:00 and Thursday from 14:00 to 15:00. Please send an email roberto@miuc.org to set an appointment.

Schedule: Tuesday from 12:00 to 14:00 and Thursday from 12:00 to 14:00 in DREAMS.

Google meet link: https://meet.google.com/vsn-xrkd-jhk 

Social psychology is the scientific study of the way people think about, feel, and behave in social situations. It involves understanding how people influence, and are influenced by, the others around them. This module will build on the foundational knowledge developed in Level 2 to provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of individual and collective psychosocial processes. The module will familiarise the students with the social conditions, drivers and determinants, and the processes governing the development and functioning of the individuals’ personality as integrated into the broader social context, and the way the individual is affected by and affects these processes.

This module has three main objectives: 1) explore the dynamics of social attitudes, their measurement, and change; 2) identify the dynamics of inter-group relations and their effects on individual relations in the social context; and 3) encourage students to critically engage with the applied and theoretical content of Social Psychology, its perspectives and methods.

The module will also discuss the complementary processes of individuation and socialisation. Focusing on the applied aspect of social psychology, this module will guide students through a consideration of how the understanding socio-psychological awareness can be implemented in the lives of individuals, their personal, social, and professional aspects. The module will further develop the students’ capability to critically evaluate the socio-psychological experiences, and analyse personal experiences and the experiences of others within the traditional and contemporary social models and social structures.

Assessment methods

• A1 - Written Examination (20%)
  
  • The weekly review will assess your basic understanding of Social Attitudes. Almost every week you will find a small set of activities corresponding to the week’s content. You will undertake the weekly review of the information learned over the previous weeks of classes. In total students will complete 8 WR corresponding to 20% of the final mark.
  • Assessment Guidelines: SP2_A1_information.pdf
    
  • Marking Grid: SP2_A1_marking_grid.pdf
    
• A2 - Written Report (10%)
  • This report will present the theoretical background for your oral presentation. You will need to include at least two academic papers on the topic. The main elements of the report need to include: a) Description of the topic and main theory; b) Authors short bio and photo; c) Main fundaments/elements of the theory, d) Explanation of two research studies (variables, method, instruments, and results); e) Implications of these findings for daily life (applications, challenges) f) Critical balance (new research, strengths, limitations); g) Academic references in Harvard Style.
  • Assessment Guidelines: SP2_A2_information.pdf
    
  • Marking Grid: SP2_A2_marking_grid.pdf
    
  • Cover Sheet: Cover_Sheet_MIUC.docx
• A3 - Oral Assignment (25%)
  • This assessment will assess your ability in communicating key ideas in Social Psychology and discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the processes involved. Students will choose their topic of interest during the first’s weeks of the module. The A2 will be a preparation for this assessment. Students’ oral presentations will take place during weeks 12 to 14 depending on the total amount of students and selected topics.
  • Assessment Guidelines: SP2_A3_information.pdf
    
  • Marking Grid: SP2_A3_marking_grid.pdf
  • Presentation Outline: Oral_Presentation_Outline_MIUC.pptx
• A4 - Written Assignment (45%)
  • The final assessment would consist of an essay analyzing the Five Core Motives in Social Psychology. The essay is intended to assess students’ understanding of the core motives in Social Psychology and the development of cognitive, practical and transferrable skills. To prepare the essay, students will need to support their arguments in theories learned in the module and they will need to provide concrete examples for the theories in daily activities. The written analysis should be succinct and well-written. Be sure to include a short introduction to orient the reader, the analysis part (with corresponding examples) as well as a short Discussion to tie things together. It is mandatory to include in-text academic citations and a full list of references using Harvard style.
  • Assessment Guidelines: SP2_A4_information.pdf
    
  • Marking Grid: SP2_A4_marking_grid.pdf
  • Book Chapter: Fiske, 2018_chapter 4.pdf
  • Cover Sheet: Cover_Sheet_MIUC.docx

Learning Outcome

At the end of the module you will be able to:

LO1. Understanding of the concept of social attitudes, their formation, maintenance and change (Assessment 1, 3 and 4)

LO2. Identify and explain the dynamics of inter-group and organizational processes and how they affect and are affected by individuals (Assessment 1, 2, 3 and 4)

LO3. Demonstrate knowledge of methods and approaches to the study and understanding of interpersonal, inter-group, and organizational processes (Assessment 2, 3 and 4)

For more detail, please see the attached MSG: MSG_SocialPsy_Attitudes_2021-22.pdf