BSc Psychology / Course details

The unit will explore major topics in social psychology. As well as new topics that have not previously been covered, the focus will be on deepening students’ understanding of the basic concepts taught in First Year. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, social cognition, including impression formation, social categorization, heuristics and social inference; attribution theory and biases; social identity and group behaviour; social psychological approaches to discourse and communication; and a practical focus on the process of scale development.  

This is an optional Year 2 unit for the BSc Psychology programme, falling within the Psychology in Society theme. It provides a foundation for further study and independent project work in the Psychology in Society theme at level 6. 

Further develop students' understanding of topics in Social Psychology. Building upon the foundations in First Year, topics are explored in depth to allow students to develop critical skills and knowledge in this area.

This unit will be taught across a single semester, with the first half of the semester being largely oriented towards practical research skills for the production of a lab report. The second half focuses on social issues, psychological theory, and empirical evidence, and is assessed by written examination in January.  

Weeks 1-5 - Practical weeks (Lab report assignment)Each week: a 120 min with a mixture of tutor-led instruction and group working practical sessions (drop-in in week 5) with recorded materials to support the completion of the practical assignment  

Weeks 7-12, lectures: Issues, theories and evidence (Exam essay assignment)  

Each week: 2 lectures (60 min); these include formative quizzes and interactive activities

Lecture 11: Revision class  

Students will be able to submit requests for the review of specific material and to submit questions ahead of this lecture 

• Understand major theoretical explanations of social cognition, attribution, and social identity
• Understand key principles in the social psychology of group behaviour and intergroup relations
• Understand the contribution of social psychology to the study of communication, social interaction, and discourse in society
• Appreciate the process of scale development 

• Critically evaluate methods, theories and approaches in key social psychological topics
• Interpret quantitative and qualitative research findings in key social psychological topics
• Apply social psychological theories to understand contemporary social issues
• Update an existing scale with new items
• Take steps to evaluate the reliability and validity of a scale. 

• Search for research on a topic in social psychology using a range of sources (library, internet, electronic databases) to gather information
• Plan and write a written argument supported by empirical research
• Process survey data
• Report psychometric properties of a scale, in line with APA formatting 

• Reflect on, and critically consider, obstacles to diversity, tolerance and inclusion in society
• Independently gather and select the most relevant information from a body of work through online and library sources
• Present concise and persuasive arguments
• Develop skills in critical thinking
• Use a leading online survey platform

Coursework: Practical lab assignment - 50%

Exam: 48 hour take home essay - 50%

Students will receive a grade and written feedback for the written assignments 

• Core text: Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M. (2022). Social psychology (9th ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson.