Enter
Contact Info
Lab Group
Publications
Research
Surveys
Virtual Reality
More

 

PSY 235 – Social Psychology

Course Syllabus – Fall 2011

 

Instructor

Prof. Carlos David Navarrete

Office Hrs: T Th, 10:00-11:00 AM

247 Psychology Bldg.

Ph: 517-432-8391

cdn@msu.edu

 

Teaching Assistants

Sallay Barrie,

Office Hr. Th, 1:00-2:00 PM, or by appt.

231 Psychology Bldg.

barries2@msu.edu

 

Abigail Ostwald

Office Hr: Fri, 3:00-4:00 PM

349 Giltner Hall

ajostwald@gmail.com

 

Zac Chacko

Office Hr: T, 10:30-12:00 PM, or by appt.

349 Giltner Hall

chackoza@msu.edu

 

Meeting Days/Time/Location

T TH,  8:30 - 9:50 AM

146 Giltner Hall

 

Course Description

Social psychology is the scientific study of the nature and causes of human social behavior and cognition. This course provides an introduction to the principles and concepts of the discipline, and emphasizes how traits of individuals interact with the environment to produce the rich complexity of human social life. Perhaps more than most courses, social psychology is concerned with “real life” content. As such we will discuss topics such as friendship and romance, sexuality, aggression and violence, stereotyping and discrimination, cooperation and conflict, altruism and morality. Principles of economics and biology are provided as a theoretical backdrop in order to better frame the role of social psychology in the broader enterprise of understanding why we are the way we are.

 

Course Email

Please send your questions regarding this class to psy235@cdnresearch.net  You should receive a reply within 48 hrs.

 

Course Readings

Textbook: Kenrick, D.T., Neuberg, S.L., & Cialdini, R.B. (2008). Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction. (5th Ed.). Pearson. (Previous Eds. ok).

 

Assigned readings: There are assigned readings that will be posted online for download. There is no cost for accessing these readings.

 

Course Web

The website for the course is available via Angel.

 

Grading and Exams

Exams will be composed of three exams each composed of 50 multiple-choice, and two short-answer items. Grading is based on a total of 255 points across three exams, each worth 85 points.

 

Make-up exams are not typically allowed, but contact me if you have a special circumstance.

 

The grading scale typically goes as follows:

 

% of total pts / Grade

 

85% / 4.0

80% / 3.5

70% / 3.0

65% / 2.5

50% / 2.0

 

Extra Credit

Students may receive a extra credit for participation in experiments through MSU’s Human Participation in Research (HPR) system. Directions for participation are posted on Angel. Students may volunteer in research studies for up to 10 extra credit points (5 hrs. participation time = 10 HPR credits).

 

Alternatives to research participation for extra credit may be earned though other means, such as writing a research paper, but you must contact me about an alternative at least two weeks before the end of the semester.

 

Academic Integrity

Every student is held responsible for knowing the academic integrity policy at MSU. Information regarding this policy is available at: https://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/dishonestystud.html

 

Course Announcements/Updates

Announcements and changes to the syllabus/schedule will be made via email. Make sure MSU Angel has your up-to-date contact information.

 

 

Tentative Schedule

 

Week 1

Chap. 1

Introduction to Social Psychology

Week 2

Chap. 2-3

The Person and the Situation; Social Cognition

Week 3

Chap. 4-5

Self Presentation; Attitudes and Persuasion

Week 4

Chap. 6, 12

Social Influence; Groups

Week 5

Chap. 13 + Assigned

Social Dilemmas and the “Free-Rider” Problem

 

Exam 1          

Tues. 4-Oct.

 

 

Week 6

Chap. 9 + Assigned

Prosocial Behavior I: Kin Selection and the Problem of Altruism

Week 7

Chap. 7 + Assigned

Prosocial Behavior II: Reciprocity, Friendship and Affiliation

Week 8

Chap. 8 + Assigned

Love and Sex I: Sex, Love and Parenting

Week 9

Chap. 8 + Assigned

Love and Sex II: Sex and Sexiness

Week 10

Chap. 10

Aggression

 

Exam 2         

Tues. 8-Nov.

 

 

Week 11

Chap. 11 + Assigned

Prejudice & Discrimination: Social Identity Theory

Week 12

Assigned

Prejudice and Discrimination: Social Dominance Theory

Week 13

Assigned

The Behavioral Immune System

Week 14

Assigned

Morality

Week 15

Assigned

Do we have Free Will?

 

Final Exam

Wed. Dec-14

7:45-9:45 AM

 

 

 





 


|Enter| |Contact Info| |Lab Group| |Publications| |Research| |Surveys| |Virtual Reality| |More|