PSY361 Social Psychology
Instructor: Dr. Edward Sturman
Office: 640 Bay Road, RHEC
Phone: 518-792-5425
E-mail: estur001@plattsburgh.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:30 – 3:00
A general introduction to the major studies and theories concerning the individual’s
relations to other individuals and to groups. Topics will include affiliation, social
perception, altruism, aggression, social influence, and group structure and functioning.
Text: David G. Myers (2010). Social Psychology, 10th ed. Published by McGraw Hill.
Objectives:
1.
Understanding of major theoretical principles in social psychology.
2.
Ability to relate social psychological principles to personal experience.
3. Familiarity with major ways of studying social psychology, their advantages and
disadvantages.
Evaluation:
Exam 1: 30% (Sept. 26)
Exam 2: 30% (Nov. 5)
Exam 3: 24% (Dec. 10)
Participation and exercises: 16%
Grading:
A
AB+
B
B-
93% + above
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
C+
C
CD+
D
E
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
59% + below
Schedule:
Aug. 27 to Sept. 26
Topics Include:
Sept. 26
Lectures
Introduction to Social Psychology
The Self in a Social World
Social Beliefs and Judgment
Behavior and Attitudes
Genes, Culture, and Gender
Exam 1
Oct. 1 – Nov. 5
Topics Include:
Nov. 5
Nov. 7 – Dec. 5
Topics Include:
Dec. 10
Lectures
Conformity and Obedience
Persuasion
Group Influence
Prejudice
Aggression
Exam 2
Lectures
Attraction and Intimacy
Helping
Conflict and Peacemaking
Dehumanization
Social Psychology in Court
Exam 3
Exams: All exams will be based on the lectures and readings. They will consist of
multiple choice questions and 4-6 short answer questions.
Participation: Participation will be based on a combination of attendance, group
discussion, and the completion of exercises and activities. Students are expected to attend
all classes. Group discussions will be held periodically and students will be asked to work
together to answer questions related to the material covered in lecture. Exercises and
activities related to the lessons will also be available to students and promise to be fun
and informative.
Films: The course will offer several films related to the material at hand. Fortunately, the
topic areas covered by Social Psychology have spawned a number of informative and
entertaining films.
Missed Tests or Late Assignments: Students may request that tests be rescheduled or
deadlines extended for legitimate medical or compassionate reasons as well as religious
observances. In all cases, these occurrences should be accompanied by appropriate
documentation. If, for any of the above reasons, students are not able to fulfill their
obligations according to schedule, they should notify the instructor in advance, or by the
due date, so that the necessary accommodations can be arranged.
Policy on Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty: Cheating is the willful misrepresentation of
any part or all of another’s work as one’s own. Copying another’s answers, or giving or
receiving unpermitted aid during classroom or take-home examinations, assignments,
papers, research reports and projects is cheating. Plagiarism in all of its forms is
cheating.
Please refer to the campus academic policy at:
http://www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/academic/provost/academichonesty.php. Possible
penalties for students found to be cheating on tests or assignments include failure on the
test, assignment or course. In regards to plagiarism, you may not represent another
person’s words or ideas as your own. When using the words of other authors, you must
place quotation marks around the text you have borrowed. Similarly, when discussing the
ideas of other authors, you must acknowledge the source. The APA Publication Manual
(5th edition) has specific guidelines for citing the works of others. If you are unsure as to
whether you are plagiarizing another person’s work, please contact the course instructor
for clarification.
College Honor Code: It is expected that all students enrolled in this class support the
letter and the spirit of the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the college catalog.