Introduction to Social Psychology

This is an introductory course in social psychology regarding how people`s thoughts, feelings and behavior is influenced by the actual or the imagined presence of other people. Major theoretical perspectives in social psychology cover the sociocultural, the evolutionary, social learning and the social cognitive. These perspectives are used in describing and explaining social behavior.

Knowledge:

The student has developed a basic overview of the central perspectives in social psychology including the sociocultural, the evolutionary, social learning and the social cognitive.

The student has obtained knowledge of specific research fields including how we think about ourselves and the social world, attitudes and social influences, cooperation and function in groups, prejudices, discrimination and conflicts, friendships and love, prosocial and aggressive behavior.

Skills:

The student is able to account for and to discuss how social behavior and cognitions can be explained from different perspectives in social psychology.

General competence:

The student has developed an understanding of (1) how to study people in social situations, and (2) how different social factors influence people´s thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Lectures 2 hours per week and studygroups.

Limited admission to classes.

Exam registration requires that class registration is approved in the same semester.