Social Psychology, 15 credits

To be eligible to advance to this course, students must have no more than 15 credits remaining from the previous term, and no credits remaining from any terms preceding this.

Part 1
On completion of the course, students shall be able to
• account for the general characteristics of the way people acquire, process and relate to information about themselves and their social environment on the basis of such concepts as social perception, mental attribution, identity, stereotypes, social learning and decision making.
• describe different forms of social influence, such as conformity and obedience, discuss relevant models and reflect about the practical implications of social influences at the individual and group levels.
• describe and discuss, on the basis of the above concepts, the relationships between research in the domain of social psychology and other domains of psychological research, as well as other relevant scientific disciplines, such as evolutionary biology, neuroscience and sociology.
• describe different forms of social influence, such as conformity and obedience, discuss relevant models and reflect about the practical implications of social influences at the individual and group levels.
• describe the biological and social models of attraction and partner choice, and reflect about the possible social consequences of these motivational forces.
• describe biological and social theories of aggression and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these theories as models of aggressive behaviour.
• discuss how aggression and violence can be prevented and contained.
• describe explanatory models of cooperation and altruism.
• describe social dilemmas, how they arise and the implications they have for individuals and groups, and discuss the part played by norms and moral emotions in solving social dilemmas.

Part 2
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to
• Based on the reading of a selection of scientific articles, reflect about specific themes of social psychology.

Part 3
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to
• describe the basic principles of interview methodology.
• apply these principles in role-play exercises including everyday and client-orientated conversations.

Part 1
Most of the teaching takes place in the form of lectures/seminars, in which students are encouraged to take an active part, as well as in a (participation voluntary) experiment. There are sometimes also film viewings and pod casts.

Part 2
The content in Part 1 serves as a starting point for this part. The working methods includes a) individual reading of a number of scientific articles and the production of a smaller number of reflection papers (PM) according to instructions provided at the beginning of the course, and b) a group project presented by the group in orally and through a short written summary.

Part 3
Compulsory role play sessions as well as group discussions.

The examination of the different parts is arranged according to the following:

Part 1
Is assessed by means of a written examination.

Part 2
Is assessed on the basis of a) a specified number of reflection papers, and b) presentation of group project.

Part 3 is assessed by means of active participation in role-play exercises and discussions.

Grading of part takes place according to the following:

On Part 1, the written exam can be given one of the grades Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), or Fail (U). To pass Part 1, students must score a Pass (G) on the written exam. To obtain the grade Pass with distinction (VG) on Part 1, students must in addition score a Pass with distinction (VG) on the written exam.

On Part 2, each reflection paper (PM) is given either the grade Pass (G) or Fail (U). The group assignment is graded Pass (G) or Fail (U). To pass Part 2, students must score a Pass (G) on each of the reflection papers and the group project.

For Part 3, one of the grades Pass (G) or Fail (U) are given.

Course grade:
In order to pass the whole course, students need to obtain a Pass (G) on Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. To obtain Pass with distinction (VG) on the whole course, students need to obtain Pass with distinction (VG) on part 1, and a Pass (G) on part 2 and part 3.

Limitation in the number of examinations:
For information about limitations in the number of examinations, see Rules and Regulations for First- and Second-Level Education compiled by Karolinska Institutet.

The transition rules follow KI's local guidelines.

Course evaluation takes place according to KI's local guidelines. Results and possible actions are communicated to the students in the course web page.