Teaching code

4S01797

Teacher

Antonio Nocera

Coordinator

Antonio Nocera

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/05 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

CuCi 2 A, CuCi 2 B

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide students with a theoretical-critical knowledge of the foundations of social psychology. The historical-conceptual development of the discipline, its definition and the specificity of doing research in social psychology will be presented. For example, the themes related to self-perception, social perception, dynamics related to social influence will be explored with particular attention to conformism and dyadic and group interactions. At the end of the module the student should know the basic aspects of the discipline and be able to read with a psychosocial view the main dynamics that govern social functioning.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Prerequisites for Accessing the Social Psychology Course
To successfully engage with the Social Psychology course, students are recommended to have basic knowledge in psychology and a genuine interest in the topics covered. Specifically, it is helpful to have:
1. Basic Knowledge of General Psychology
Understanding of key cognitive processes (perception, attention, memory, learning, thinking, language).
Knowledge of motivational and emotional mechanisms.
Fundamentals of developmental psychology and personality theories.
2. Interest in Social Psychology
The course will explore human interactions, social influence mechanisms, and the role of groups in shaping individual behavior. Students should be interested in topics such as:
Conformity and Obedience: Understanding why and how people conform to social norms (experiments by Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo)​Tre studi classici su P…​Narration.
Social Categorization and Prejudice: How stereotypes and discrimination form, Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory​Sherif.
Social Influence and Reality Perception: How beliefs and opinions are shaped by the social context, as highlighted in the classic study They Saw a Game​Uno studio di un caso L….
Empathy and Mirror Neurons: The role of understanding others in social behavior​neuroni-specchio.
Mass Psychology and Collective Behavior: Group dynamics, leadership, and cooperation​Sherif.
3. Critical Thinking and Reflection on Social Dynamics
Ability to analyze and interpret classic experiments and studies in the field (Sherif, Milgram, Zimbardo, Rosenhan)​Sherif​David Rosenhan - Essere….
Willingness to engage in debates and discussions on real-world case studies.
Interest in critically reading and understanding social dynamics and communication.
These prerequisites are not mandatory but possessing them will facilitate learning and active participation in the course.

Program

Social Psychology
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences [L-20]
Professor: Antonio Nocera
Academic Year 2024/2025
6 ECTS | 36 hours of lectures
Course Objectives
Social Psychology explores the mechanisms that shape human behavior in social contexts. This course aims to:
Analyze identity dynamics and social relationships.
Examine mechanisms of social influence, conformity, and leadership.
Understand the role of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
Investigate the psychological foundations of communication and empathy.
Through a scientific approach, students will gain critical tools to interpret social interactions, both in everyday life and in the media.
Course Structure
The course is structured into six thematic modules, each focusing on a crucial aspect of Social Psychology, with references to key experiments and research.
1. Foundations: Processes and Origins
Introduction to Social Psychology: definitions, research areas, and methods.
Cognitive and social processes: how thoughts, emotions, and norms influence behavior.
History of the discipline and pioneering studies: from Triplett’s research to the famous experiments of Sherif, Asch, Milgram, and Zimbardo.
Key Experiment: Conformity and social pressure – Asch (1955)
2. Empathy as a Compass
The concept of “mirroring” and the role of empathy in social relationships.
The contribution of neuroscience: mirror neurons and understanding others' emotions.
Empathy and prosocial behavior: why do we help others?
Key Experiment: Mirror neurons and empathy – Rizzolatti (1996)
3. Meeting the Self
The construction of personal and social identity.
The role of self-esteem and self-perception in individual behavior.
Social identity and group belonging (Tajfel & Turner).
Key Experiment: The minimal group paradigm – Tajfel (1971)
4. Social Paths and Identity Crossroads
The role of social categorization in perceiving social reality.
Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination: origins and impact on intergroup relations.
Strategies to reduce conflict and promote social integration.
Key Experiment: The Robbers Cave Experiment – Sherif (1954)
5. Group Dynamics and Leadership
Structure and functioning of social groups: norms, roles, and social cohesion.
Social influence, conformity, and obedience to authority.
Leadership and power: theoretical models and practical applications.
Key Experiment: The Stanford Prison Experiment – Zimbardo (1971)
6. Toward Collaboration
Aggression and conflict: causes, manifestations, and conflict management strategies.
The role of interpersonal communication in social interaction.
Cooperation and mutual aid: factors that encourage altruistic behavior.
Key Experiment: The Bystander Effect – Darley & Latané (1968)

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Teaching Methods
The course is designed to be highly interactive and engaging, creating an environment where students are not just passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in the learning process.
The lectures will follow a dynamic and participatory approach, incorporating:
Examples and Experiments – Classic and contemporary experiments in Social Psychology will be presented and analyzed, with a focus on their implications and real-world applications.
Discussions and Debates – Students will be encouraged to critically engage with key psychological concepts, debating ideas and perspectives on topics such as conformity, group dynamics, and social influence.
Analysis of Films and Multimedia Materials – We will watch documentaries and recordings of psychological experiments to deepen our understanding of human behavior in social contexts.
Practical Exercises – Experiential activities and simulations will be introduced to allow students to apply theoretical concepts in a concrete way and observe social phenomena in action.
The goal is to make each lecture an opportunity for discussion, stimulating critical thinking and analytical skills through active participation and practical insights into Social Psychology.

Learning assessment procedures

Assessment Methods
The exam will consist of a written test lasting one hour and thirty minutes, designed to assess students' understanding and application of the fundamental concepts covered during the course.
The test will include six questions, each focusing on one of the many topics discussed in class. The objective is to evaluate:
Theoretical knowledge of the studied topics
The ability to analyze and interpret experiments and research
The application of Social Psychology concepts to real-world situations
Additionally, there may be a bonus question on an advanced topic, providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate a deeper level of understanding and critical thinking.
Evaluation criteria will emphasize clarity of expression, the ability to construct well-reasoned arguments, and the appropriate use of scientific language, rewarding a critical and personal approach to analyzing social phenomena.

Evaluation criteria

Evaluation Criteria
The assessment of answers will be based on coherence, accuracy, and relevance, with particular attention to the following aspects:
Adherence to the question – Responses must be directly relevant to the question asked, avoiding digressions or off-topic arguments.
Theoretical and methodological references – Students are required to correctly cite authors and the years of experiments and research, demonstrating a solid understanding of sources.
Conceptual accuracy – The correctness of information and the appropriate use of scientific language will be fundamental evaluation criteria.
Relevance and completeness – Answers should be precise and well-structured, avoiding excessive simplifications or incomplete treatments of the topic.
Analytical and argumentative skills – Responses that, in addition to presenting acquired knowledge, demonstrate critical thinking in interpreting and applying Social Psychology concepts will be particularly valued.
Each question will be graded on a scale of 0 to 5 points, based on the above criteria.
Students with Language Difficulties
Students who experience difficulties in understanding or writing in Italian must arrange with the professor to define the most suitable examination methods. Usually, they will be allowed to use a laptop, open exclusively to a translation tool, to facilitate writing their answers.
If the student communicates their language needs in advance, the professor may prepare the exam directly in the requested language. In this case, the student will respond in their own language using the translator, obtain the translation into Italian, and transcribe the text onto the exam sheet.
These measures aim to ensure a fair assessment of Social Psychology competencies, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder students' ability to demonstrate their acquired knowledge.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Grade Composition
The final grade will be determined by the sum of the points obtained in each question, with a maximum total score of 30 points.
The bonus question can increase the overall score, allowing students to improve their final result in the written exam. The final grade will be assigned according to the standard academic grading scale, considering the overall quality of the responses provided.

Exam language

italiano

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