BSc Psychology

This unit provides an introduction to Social Psychology. The course covers a series of fundamental topics in this area, including: interpersonal relationships, prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination, the social self, social influence and cross-cultural psychology. To reflect the breadth and depth of social psychological research currently carried out in the UK and worldwide, this course draws upon studies across different approaches and traditions, highlighting current research and classic studies that illuminate the nature of social thinking and behaviour.

This is a compulsory Year 1 unit for the BSc Psychology and BSc Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology programmes. It provides a foundation for further study in Social Psychology at Levels 5 and 6.

The unit aims to:

Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary theories in social psychology, challenging them to apply this knowledge to address socially relevant real-world problems such as labour market discrimination, inter-group prejudice, aggression, and violence. Students are encouraged to use critical thinking and develop evidence-based solutions in diverse contexts. It aims to foster ethically minded and socially responsible psychology graduates by applying social psychological principles to promote ethical decision-making, deepen understanding of diversity and inclusion, and encourage proactive engagement in tackling social issues. Through this approach, students are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society. The unit also equips students with enhanced employability skills by guiding them in the critical review and analysis of evidence on complex social topics. This enables them to develop thoughtful, well-supported positions and ensures they graduate as confident and highly competent professionals. Teaching is delivered using a variety of methods and technologies, including experimental simulations, group discussions, and digital research tools to measure implicit cognition. These approaches are designed to encourage students to become independent, active, and self-directed learners. 

This unit will be taught via interactive in-person lectures with workshop elements.

Course content, supplementary reading and resources and a monitored discussion board will be available via the unit Canvas site.

• Recognise the role of diversity and variability in psychological functioning (e.g., differences in aggression, prejudice, cultural backgrounds, relationship types, and levels of conformity) and understand how these factors shape individual and collective behaviours, influence social interactions, and contribute to the development of social norms and biases.
• Understand how various influences on psychological functioning (e.g., social identity, conformity, attitudes, stereotyping, social cognition) are conceptualised across social psychology through key theoretical frameworks (e.g., Social Identity Theory, Cognitive Dissonance Theory).
• Acknowledge the importance of the subjective nature of experience, such as how individual perceptions influencing social interactions.
• Apply multiple perspectives to social psychological issues, recognising that social psychological approaches involve a range of research methods (e.g., experiments, surveys, measure of implicit cognition), theories (e.g., social identity theory, theories of conformity and obedience, self-perception theory) and applications (e.g., reducing prejudice, understanding and mitigating the impact of human aggression). 

• Appreciate the historical and conceptual roots of social psychology, recognising how world events like the Holocaust significantly impacted its development, leading to in-depth studies on obedience, conformity, and authority.  
• Understand the ethical responsibilities involved in researching complex and sensitive social behaviours in the lab, particularly in studies that intentionally induce aggression or use tools like the Implicit Association Test, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines to protect participant well-being.
• Employ, interrelate, and systematically analyse different social psychological perspectives (e.g., sociocultural approaches, social constructionism,), methods (e.g., experiments, surveys, field studies, methods of implicit cognition), and theories (e.g., social identity theory, social learning theory, realistic conflict theory) to solve a broad range of theoretical and real-world social issues (e.g., reducing prejudice, promoting inter-group relations) 

• Drawing on relevant social psychological theory and practice, design empirical research, recognising ethical, theoretical, practical and methodological implications.  
• Use psychological tools, such as the Implicit Association Test and surveys, to enhance research and/or practice.
• Demonstrate advanced research skills through practical applications, including the ability to identify, assess, and evaluate patterns in social behaviour, social psychological processes, and subjective and collective experiences. 

• Collaborate inclusively to solve real-world social problems and evaluate outcomes, valuing a variety of perspectives to reach consensus and incorporating ethical considerations into all aspects of work.
• Leverage knowledge of social psychology to engage professionally and inclusively with others, reflecting on the different dynamics of a team and/or interpersonal relationships for more productive outcomes. 

In-class quizzes will be revealed immediately and will be used formatively (e.g., do not count for the final grades)

MCQs will assess knowledge summatively at the end of the unit. 

Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2023). Social psychology (6th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.  

This book is available electronically through the university library website.