PS923-7-AU-CO:
Advanced Social Psychology

The details
2023/24
Psychology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
06 November 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MSC C80012 Psychology

Module description

This module covers a broad range of key research areas in social psychology.


Some of the questions it will explore, relying on historic and contemporary research from social psychologists, are: What are the processes relevant to how we perceive other individuals. How can we explain and understand factors relating to social influence, such as conformity and obedience to authority. What is 'the self' and what are the social processes that help us to develop a sense of our unique individuality. What attracts people to each other and how can we understand why some close relationships persist while others end.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To study a range of social psychology theory and research.

  • To address the core theories of social behaviour and social information processing.

  • To understand the topics social psychologists are interested in and their approach to their study.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major theories and principal areas of research in social psychology.

  2. Demonstrate knowledge of major empirical tests of the theories in social psychology.

  3. Understand how theory and research in social psychology might explain current issues in society.

  4. Communicate in non-scientific language the importance and the inferences from primary research articles.

Module information

The lectures will introduce students to the broad approaches and methods used in social psychology. Students will also have the opportunity to read primary research articles tied to specific topics in the module, and be given the opportunity to communicate the findings from those articles in a unique `press release`format.


Each of the topics will be covered in sufficient depth for you to be able to appreciate classical social psychological theories and findings as the foundation of this empirical discipline, alongside more modern approaches and models of human behaviour.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 2-hour lecture per week.
  • Two 1-hour tutorials.

There is also a Moodle page devoted to the class that allows for further clarification, as needed. Handouts containing notes and diagrams from the lecture slides will be uploaded to the Moodle page online, prior to the lectures. Lectures start on the hour. Please arrive promptly to avoid disrupting the class. You are welcome to ask questions during class if there is anything that is unclear.

The tutorials focus on the press release research articles (coursework), allowing students the opportunity to dig deeper into the material presented in those papers, prior to submitting their press releases.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Press Release     100% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during January 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
25% 75%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
25% 75%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Paul Hanel, email: p.hanel@essex.ac.uk.
Paul Hanel, Sheina Orbell, Gillian Sandstrom
p.hanel

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr John Patrick Rae
Roehampton University
Reader in Psychology
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 22 hours, 22 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Psychology

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