Social Psychology

Catalog description

Social Psychology provides an introduction and broad overview of the major theories and findings within social psychology, which is the scientific study of the way people think, feel, and behave in social situations. It involves understanding how people influence, and are influenced by, the others around them. The primary goal of this course is to introduce perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of social psychology. Topics covered include impression formation, conformity, prosocial behavior, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping, and prejudice. Equally important is the goal of cultivating skills for analyzing the social situations and events that all individuals encounter in everyday lives. Finally, throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on developing critical and integrative ways of thinking about theory and research in social psychology.