Research Course in Social Psychology: How to Change Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Catalog description

This seminar explores how and why people change their minds and actions. Are belief change and attitude change the same process? Why do some behaviors resist influence while others shift easily? Through readings and discussions, students will investigate theoretical and empirical distinctions among these constructs, analyze interventions aimed at modifying each, and design their own studies to test new approaches. Readings will cover foundational and recent research on persuasion, misinformation, and behavioral interventions. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to evaluate and develop evidence-based strategies for behavior change in applied domains such as health, policy, and communication. In summary, this progression (belief → attitude → behavior → integration → design → execution) mirrors how social psychologists move from theoretical insights to practical applications. The class will combine advanced readings, discussion, and applied activities aligned with the course’s learning objectives. You will design and conduct an experiment testing novel methods of changing beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors, program the study using appropriate software, and apply your prior knowledge of statistical analysis. The experiment will be designed, implemented, and analyzed collaboratively in small groups, while each student will write an individual research paper reporting and interpreting the results. This format balances targeted readings with active learning, offering a full research experience that complements rather than duplicates traditional seminar coursework. The readings are selective, allowing you to focus deeply on core works while dedicating substantial time to designing, conducting, and analyzing your own research. This seminar is ideal for students preparing for graduate study or research careers in social psychology, communication, or behavioral…