Year 2: Fourth SemesterA214 Introduction to Social Psychology

Course Description:This course is designed as a comprehensive survey course of theory and research in social psychology. In this class, we will learn what science can tell us about feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in social situations. For first-year graduate students, this course offers a broad survey of Social Psychology. Topics to be studied include the self, social perception, social cognition and information processing, attitudes and relationship, social influence and group behavior, and applied social psychology. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to think about how research in social psychology can shed light on events going on around the world and in your own lives.

Objectives:The main objective of this course is to make the students familiar with the disciplines of Social Psychology and thereby make them able to analyze how our thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other people, and pursue answers to the questions that interest you most, whether in your careers as research psychologists, in practical settings applying psychology, or in your own introspection about yourselves.

Unit I. General Introduction 8 HrsDefinition of Social Psychology as separate Field of Study History/Origin of Social Psychology Nature and Scope of Social Psychology Subfield of Social Psychology Similarities and differences between Social Psychology with Other Social Sciences:

Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Biology, personality Psychology

Unit II. The self and Social Perception 8 Hrs Definition of self Types of self Functions of self Influence of others on self (Who I am depends on others) Influence of situation on self (Who I am depends on situation) Self Thought and Self Esteem Social Perception and its Process (Non-verbal communication and Person Perception)

Unit III. Social Cognition and Information Process 6 HrsDefinition of social cognition Schema and its types Heuristic and its types Social cognition and behavior

Unit IV. Attitude 7 HrsDefinition of attitude Components of attitude Types of attitude Nature of attitude Attitude and behavior

Unit V. Social Influence and Behaviour 7 HrsDefinition of Social Influence Conformity

Factors influencing conformity Compliance

Factors influencing Compliance Obedience

Factors influencing Obedience Unit VI. Aggression and Antisocial Behavior 7 Hrs

Definition of aggression and antisocial behavior Theoretical perspectives on aggression:

Instinct TheoriesLearning TheoriesNature and Nurture

: Causes of aggression Internal causes of aggression:

FrustrationBeing in a bad moodAge and aggression

Interpersonal causes aggression:Selfishness and influenceDomestic violence

External causes of aggression:Weapon effectUnpleasant environmentMass media

Unit VII. Application of Social Psychology 5 HrsUse of Social Psychological knowledge in solving problems of individual and society Social psychologists’ contribution in the field of business, medicine, health and law. Contemporary social issues

Gender and Generation GapHunger-Impact on Children and Child LaborRecent Trend in DivorcePoverty and BeggaryGirls TraffickingRecent Trends in Employment and Unemployment

Basic Books:

Baumeister, Roy F. Social Psychology and Human Nature. USA: Wadsworth, 2011.

Sanderson, Catherine A. Social Psychology. USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.