Social Psychology, 15 credits

Passed results of the first semester (at least 7,5 credits) of the Study Programme in Psychology.

Module 1, Basic Social Psychology
On completion of the course, the student should 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 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.

Module 2, Themes in Social Psychology
On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• based on the reading of a selection of scientific articles, reflect about specific themes of social psychology.

Module 3, Interview method and tools of communication 1
On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• describe the basic principles of communication skills through a conversation analysis
• apply these principles in role-play exercises including everyday and client-orientated conversations
• demonstrate the ability to reflect on their conversation skills in dialogue with teachers and fellow students

The course is divided into the following three modules:

This part involves social cognition (the general characteristics of the way people acquire, process and relate to information about themselves and their perceived and real social environment: identity; stereotypes/prejudices; imitation/social learning; conformity/obedience; decision making). This part also addresses social behaviour (aggression, attraction, cooperation/altruism, and social dilemmas). The part discusses social psychology as a research field in greater depth, linking it to other areas of psychology as well as to other scientific disciplines, such as evolutionary biology, neuroscience and sociology.

Issues relating to ”sustainable development” are referred to when social sustainability is discussed in Part 1. Social sustainability focuses on how interaction between individuals and groups can promote a society with long-term stability in which basic human needs are met. Examples of topics that are presented and discussed are: Social dilemmas, the Tragedy of the Commons), Pro-social behavior, Competition for natural resources.

In-depth study of a selection of themes in social psychology that are included in Part 1.

The development of communication skills begins with students learning the principles of successful interviewing. This is to encourage an awareness of the verbal/nonverbal aspects of communication and to highlight the use of open-ended/closed-ended questions and other available techniques. The interview is an important tool as much in everyday clinical practice as in research contexts.

Module 1, Basic Social Psychology
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.

Module 2, Themes in Social Psychology
The content in module 1 serves as a starting point for this module. 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.

Module 3, Interview method and tools of communication 1
Independent reading of course literature. Compulsory role play sessions as well as group discussions. Active participation in compulsory role-playing/ exercises is a precondition for participating in the concluding examining role play, see heading "Examination".

The course is examined in the following way:

Module 1, Basic Social Psychology
a) written examination, is graded U, G or VG

The module is graded U, G or VG. The module is given the same grade as is the written exam.

Module 2, Themes in Social Psychology
a) a number of reflection papers according to instruction, each paper is graded U or G
b) presentation of group project, is graded U or G

The module is graded U or G. The grade G on the module requires G on all papers and the group project.

Module 3, Interview method and tools of communication 1
a) active participation on compulsory role plays/ excersises
b) concluding examining role play, presupposes participation in compulsory role plays/ excersises and is graded U or G
c) presentation in the form of a written analysis of a recorded conversation, is graded U or G

The module is graded U or G. The grade G on the module requires G on examination assignment b) and c) as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Course grade
The entire course is graded U, G or VG.
The grade G on the entire course requires G on module 1, 2 and 3. The grade VG on the entire course requires VG on module 1 and G on module 2 and 3.

Absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus' regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

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

Module 1 and 2 are given in English.