Social Psychology
Overview
Social psychology studies the processes of interaction between individuals and the society in which they live. This includes the ways in which the social world is perceived (e.g., social cognition, attitudes, the self), interactions between individuals (e.g., interpersonal attraction, social influence), interactions within and across group boundaries (e.g., group decision-making, intergroup relationship), the influence of the socio-cultural environment on individuals (e.g., cultural differences, acculturation), and applied issues (e.g., health psychology, work, relationships). This unit will help students develop their understanding of key theories and research methods in social psychology, and adapt skills learned in previous studies to the analysis and communication of contemporary problems in social psychology.
Requisites
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods
Rules
Pre-requisite
PSY70011 Brain and Behaviour
AND
PSY70012 Fundamentals of Psychology
AND
STA70006 Foundations of Statistics
AND
PSY70010 Introduction to Research Methods
08-June-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Evaluate the main theoretical perspectives and research methodologies adopted by social psychologists
- Critically evaluate social psychological theories and research findings
- Demonstrate public speaking skills, the ability to work in a team, and an understanding of yourself and others from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds
- Evaluate issues of ethics in social psychology research, particularly in the context of experimental designs
- Apply statistical techniques to answer social psychological research questions and evaluate the scope and strength of conclusions drawn from research studies
- Use scientific writing skills to communicate complex issues in problems and applications of social psychology to others
Teaching methods
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 11.50 | 12 weeks | 138 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Practical Assignment | Group | 10% | 1,2,3 |
| Report | Individual | 40% | 2,5,6 |
Content
- Introduction to Social Psychology: History, Methods and Ethics
- Attitudes
- Social Cognition
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self and identity
- Attribution and Social Knowledge
- Social Psychology of Health
- Affiliation, attraction and love
- Group behaviour
- Social Influence
- Prosocial behaviour and aggression
- Social psychology and the law
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.