Learning objectives

AIMS 1) Providing students with knowledge and understanding of psychological theories explaining attitudes and behaviors of individuals and groups. 2) Providing students with knowledge and understanding of psychological theories that address the fundamental processes underlying the functioning and adjustment of individuals to the physical and social environment. 3) Providing students with knowledge and understanding of research methods and measurement of psychological processes at the individual, interpersonal and group levels. 4) Applying theories on individual, group, organizational functioning to the understanding and analysis of learning processes as well as of individual and social chance. The specific aims of the course are a) providing students with knowledge and understanding of the main Social Psychology theories on social perception and cognition, individual and group attitudes and behaviors, their functioning and adjustment to the social context; b) applying theoretical constructs to the analysis and interpretation of individual and social changes (or stability); c) providing students with knowledge and understanding of Social Psychology research methods, with a focus on experimental research, and skills concerning the description and interpretation of social psychology research findings; d) developing skills of literature review, reading and interpretation of scientific articles for professional update in the social psychology domain.

Prerequisites and basic notions

There are no specific prerequisites other than those required for access to the degree course.

Program

In line with its educational aims, the course offers an introduction to Social Psychology, its areas of interest, theories and methodologies, with a focus on the study of human behaviour and how it is influenced by other individuals and groups, of social perception and cognition, of individual and group attitudes.
The course will cover the following topics.
-history of social psychology and definition of the disciplinary field
- research methods
- social awareness
-social influence
-atteggiamenti
-concept of self, personal and social identity
-aggression
- prosocial behavior
- membership and social exclusion
- prejudice and stereotypes
-theories of intergroup relations
- emerging areas of social psychology
Readings
- Andrighetto, L., & Riva, P. (2020). Psicologia sociale: Fondamenti teorici ed empirici. Bologna: Il Mulino.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Theories, concepts, and methods will be presented during lectures (frontal teaching). In addition, students will be given the opportunity to complete individual and group assignments concerning: a) the interpretation of real-life events in terms of key socio-psychological concepts relating to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup processes; b) the knowledge of how research aims and hypotheses are translated into measures and instruments; c) search of scientific papers on specific topics, selection, reading, and synthesis of an article.
Lectures will be in presence. Materials such as power points and texts of in-class assignments will be made available in moodle for students that will be unable to attend some lectures.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam will be in the form of a test composed by 31 multiple choice questions; each question has 3 response alternatives, one of which is correct. Students will be asked to complete the test in 20 minutes.

Evaluation criteria

Each correct answer will be awarded 1 point; 0 points will be assigned to every wrong answer or answer not given (there are no penalties for wrong or not given answers).

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

sum of the scores up to 30 + distinction/honors if applicable

Exam language

Italiano

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