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 the key theories and research methods in social psychology, and develop a deeper understanding of contemporary problems in the area.

Requisites

Prerequisites
PSY10005 Introduction to Research Methods
STA10003 Foundations of Statistics
PSY10003 Psychology 100
PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour
PSY10004 Psychology 101
PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology

Rules

Pre-requisite
PSY10005 Introduction to Research Methods and STA10003 Foundations of Statistics and PSY10003 Psychology 100
OR
PSY10007 Brain and Behaviour and PSY10004 Psychology 101
OR
PSY10008 Fundamentals of Psychology

Equivalent
HAY307 - Social Psychology; HAYG433 - Social Psychology; LSY307 - Social Psychology; LSY607 - Social Psychology; PSS320B(C) - Social Psychology; SLSY307 - Social Psychology

Anti-requisite
PSY30009 Social Psychology

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

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 examine social psychological theories and research findings
  • Demonstrate public speaking skills, and the ability to work in a team
  • Evaluate research ethics, particularly in the context of experimental designs
  • Apply scientific writing skills and advanced statistical techniques in the context of social psychology

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

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
TOTAL150

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture
2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial
1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various
2.50 12 weeks 30
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
7.00 12 weeks 84
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssignmentIndividual 20% 1,2,4 
Practical AssignmentGroup 30% 1,2,3 
ReportIndividual 50% 2,5 

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.