I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Social Psychology

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PSYC 2441

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

As humans, we are inherently social beings; our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviors are greatly influenced by other people. In this class, you will learn what science can tell us about the ways that people think, feel and behave in social situations. Social psychologists research the answers to many questions that are relevant to our everyday lives, such as, “How can the same person act one way with one group of friends and be totally different with another group?", "Why are we attracted to some people and not others?", "How can students stand by when a peer is getting teased and bullied?”, and more! You will examine topics including Social Perception, Social Cognition, Attitude Formation and Change, Group Processes, Attraction, Individual Relationships, Altruism, Aggression, Prejudice, and Discrimination.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Next Gen Reading

Score:

237

6. Prerequisite Courses:

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Social Psychology courses at the 2-year Colleges in MN:  

• Anoka Ramsey - PSYC 2260 Social Psychology, 3 cr.  
• Century College - PSYC 2030 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• Inver Hills CC - PSYC 2100 Social Psychology, 3 cr.   
• Lake Superior - PSYC 2145 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• Minneapolis - PSYC 2260 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• Minnesota State C &TC - PSYC 2224 Social Psychology, 3 cr.  
• Minnesota State Southeast - PSYC 2531 Social Psychology, 3 cr.
• Normandale - PSYC 2600 Introduction to Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• North Hennipen - PSYC 2110 Principles of Social Psychology, 3 cr.
• Northwest Technical - PSYC 2250, Social Psychology, 3 cr.
• Rainy River - PSYC/SOC 2020 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• Riverland - PSYC 2260 Social Psychology, 3 cr.
• Rochester - PSYC 2611 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• St. Cloud Technical College – PSYC 2320 Social Psychology, 3 cr.   
• St. Paul College - PSYC 2720 Social Psychology, 4 cr. 
• South Central - PSYC 210 Social Psychology, 4 cr.

 

Social Psychology courses at the State Universities in MN: 

• Bemidji State - PSYC 3367 Social Psychology, 3 cr. 
• Metropolitan State University - PSYC 336 Social Psychology, 4 cr.  
• Minnesota State Moorhead - PSYC 320 Social Psychology, 3 cr.  
• Minnesota State Mankato - PSYC 340 Social Psychology, 4 cr. 
• St. Cloud State - PSYC 270  Social Psychology, 3 cr.  
• Southwest Minnesota State - PSYC 317 Social Psychology, 3 cr.  
• Winona State University -  PSYC 325 Social Psychology, 3 cr.

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

In accordance with the Laws of Minnesota 2015, Chapter 5, Article 3, Section 21 all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities agree to the following principles governing the transfer pathways for baccalaureate degrees.  The transfer pathway specifically ensures that a student who successfully completes an Associates of Arts (AA-P) in Psychology can transfer the full degree into a parallel baccalaureate degree program in Psychology at a Minnesota State university.  The transfer pathway degree program will transfer to the following designated baccalaureate degree majors:

• Bemidji State University: BA Psychology, BS Psychology
• Metropolitan State University: BA Psychology
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: BA Psychology, BS Psychology
• Minnesota State University, Moorhead: BA Psychology
• Southwest Minnesota State University: BA Psychology
• St. Cloud State University:  BA Psychology
• Winona State University:  BA Psychology

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Psychology Transfer Pathway Associate in Arts Degree

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:

• Goal 5 – History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Goal 7 – Human Diversity

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Analyze and evaluate the influence of the social context on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and theories of social psychology.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Critically apply social psychological concepts to enhance one’s understanding of their own behavior in a social context.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Identify and appreciate human diversity by exhibiting sensitivity to issues of prejudice, privilege, and discrimination.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify the major concepts and theoretical approaches in psychological social psychology, such as self-perception theory, attribution theories, and cognitive dissonance (MnTC Goal 5);
• Understand basic research methods and ethical responsibilities in social psychological research, and in psychology (MnTC Goal 5);
• Critically evaluate research in psychological social psychology (MnTC Goal 5);
• Apply social psychological theories or concepts to “real world” and/or personal examples (MnTC Goal 5);
• Analyze oneself and others as socials beings subject to situational influences (MnTC Goal 5);
• Relate social behavior to a cultural context (MnTC Goal 5);
• Relate social behavior to biological and evolutionary factors (MnTC Goal 5);
• Demonstrate an awareness of the individual and institutional dynamics of unequal power relations between groups in contemporary society (MnTC Goal 7);
• Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism and bigotry (MnTC Goal 7); and
• Demonstrate communication skills necessary for living and working effectively in a society with great population diversity (MnTC Goal 7).

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Introduction to Social Psychology

• What is Social Psychology?

• The History of Social Psychology

2. Research Methods in Social Psychology

• Correlational Research

• Experimental Research

• Ethical consideration in research.

3. The Social Self

• Self-Concept and Identity

• Self and Culture

• Self-Perception

• Self-Presentation

• Self-Control

4. Social Beliefs and Judgments

• Social Cognition

• Social Beliefs

• Social Judgements

• Social Attributions

5. Attitudes and Social Behaviors

• How do attitudes affect behavior?

• When do attitudes predict behavior?

• Understanding Persuasion

• Attitude change.

6. Genes, Culture and Gender

• The influence of biology

• The influence of culture

• The influence of gender

7. Conformity and Obedience

• Defining conformity, compliance and obedience

• Classic studies in conformity and obedience

• Predictors of conformity

8. Group Influence

• Social Facilitation

• Social Loafing

• Deindividuation

• Group Polarization

• Groupthink

• Group Conflict

9. Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination

• Understanding the power of prejudice.

• Social, motivational and cognitive sources of prejudice

• Reducing prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes

10. Aggression

• Theories of Aggression

• Factors influencing aggression

• Media effects on aggression

• Reducing aggression

11. Attraction and Intimacy

• Friendship

• Attachment

• Attraction

• Love

• When relationships end

12. Helping and Prosocial Behaviors

• Altruism

• Factors influencing helping

• Cultural differences

• Social Support

13. Conflict and Peacekeeping

• What creates conflict?

• Achieving peace

14. Applying Social Psychology

• In your life

• In your future and career

• In the clinic

• In the courts

15. Social Psychology in the Modern World

• Climate Change

• Sustainable Living

• Materialism and Wealth