Teaching code

4S007358

Teacher

Elena Trifiletti

Coordinatore

Elena Trifiletti

Credits

9

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-PSI/05 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Period

Sem. 2A, Sem. 2B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning outcomes

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.

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, as well as of social perception and cognition, and of individual and group attitudes (frontal teaching).
In addition, within the limits imposed by the Covid-19 emergency restrictions, students will be required to complete individual and group assignments concerning: a) the interpretation of real-life events in terms of key socio-psychological concepts concerning 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.

The course will cover the following topics.
-history of social psychology and definition of the disciplinary field
- research methods
-social cognition
-social influence
-attitudes
- self-concept, 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

Examination Methods

The exam will be in the form of a test composed by 31 multiple choice questions; each question has 3 response alternatives only one of which is correct. 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 answers or not given). The 31st question will be aimed at assigning honors and the answer will be considered for the final score only if the answers to the previous 30 questions are all correct. Students will be asked to complete the test in 25 minutes.

The exam will be held in person.

Starting from the summer session, the students of the past academic years are required to adapt to the program of the current a.y. Students who has already purchased a textbook will be able to find a copy of the textbook adopted in this a.y. in the Frinzi library.