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SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY – PSYC 231-003
SPRING 2014 SYLLABUS
Instructor: Jennifer Green
Office: David King Hall 3064
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:30-11:30am or by appointment
Day: T/R
Time: 9:00 - 10:15am
Room: Krug Hall 7
Email: jgreen24@masonlive.gmu.edu
REQUIRED TEXT*: Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D., & Akert, R.M., & Sommers, S. R. (2015).
Social psychology (9th ed). Boston: Pearson
*Available in bookstore
OVERVIEW: This course provides students with a survey of the topics covering the social
bases of behavior. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about one
another, influence one another, and relate to one another. We will examine some of the historical
and philosophical foundations of social psychology, as well as theories and models of various
social phenomena. Through text reading, lectures, writing assignments, and exams, you will
learn about empirical studies of these phenomena, understand how individuals, groups or
institutions are influenced by contextual factors, and think about applications of that research to
your life. This course is part of the social and behavioral sciences general education core.
Accordingly, this course will have the following learning outcomes:
● Recognize and recall key concepts, terminology, principles or theories within the field
● Describe and explain methodological approaches used in social psychological research
● Use appropriate methods and resources to apply social and behavioral science concepts,
terminology, principles, or theories to your life
GRADING:
EXAMS (55%): Your grade in this class will be based in part on 2 exams and a final
examination. You will be given 3 exams this semester, but I will drop the lowest grade. The
examinations will each be worth 15% of your exams grade, and the final examination will be
worth 25%. Make-ups for the exams or the final exam will be allowed only for documented
emergencies. These emergencies include medical problems, religious holidays, sponsored school
events (Greek events are not included), or a death. Exams will not be administered to anyone
who arrives more than 15 minutes after the start of class.
REACTION PAPERS (35%): One of the learning outcomes for this course is to apply the
concepts of social psychology to your life. Accordingly, one component of your course grade
will be based on the completion of reaction papers where you will use your knowledge of
dissonance, attitudes, social influence, and scientific methodology to provide recommendations
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to change attitudes and behaviors that impact any social issue of your choosing. Reaction Papers
#1 and #2 should not be longer than 3 double spaced pages (1” margins), Times New Roman 12
point font. Reaction Paper #3 should not be longer than 4 double spaced pages (1” margins),
Times New Roman 12 point font. Specific details will be given later in the term.
Reaction Paper #1 (10%): In this first paper, you will violate a social norm of your choosing
(after checking with me first). You must describe your norm violation, report others’ reactions,
and discuss relevant psychological principles.
Reaction Paper #2 (10%): You will discuss how psychological principles are evidenced on
social media sites.
Reaction Paper #3 (15%): You will create a public service announcement (PSA) addressing a
current environmental issue.
PARTICIPATION (10%): Students are expected to attend each class on time, stay for the
entire duration, and be actively involved. Therefore, participation will count for 10% of your
final grade. Participation will be assessed through various in-class activities, such as discussions,
debates, and/or written assignments. If you miss class, make-up assignments will be given only
for documented excuses (medical problems, religious holidays, sponsored school events, etc.)
and only for students who let me know they will be absent before class begins.
GRADING DISPUTES: Grades will be posted on blackboard, and you will be notified when
grades are up. Once grades are posted, you will have a week to contact me if you feel that your
grade is incorrect. After that point, there will be no changes to the grades on blackboard.
LATE WORK: All work is expected to be turned in on time. For every day that an assignment
is late, 10 points will be deducted from the possible grade. After a week, late assignments will
not be accepted.
GRADING BREAKDOWN:
Exams:
30% (15% for each exam – the lowest of the three will be dropped)
Final Exam:
25%
Reaction Paper #1: 10%
Reaction Paper #2: 10%
Reaction Paper #3: 15%
Participation:
10%
LETTER GRADE: Based on the percentages that you receive on your exams and project
deliverables, your final letter grade will be calculated using the following:
B+(3.33) = 89 - 87
C+(2.33) = 79 - 77
A
B
C
D
(4.00) = 100 – 93
(3.00) = 86 – 83
(2.00) = 76 – 73
(1.00) = 69 – 60
A- (3.67) = 92 - 90
B- (2.67) = 82 – 80
C- (1.67) = 72- 70
F (0.00) = below 59
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EXTRA CREDIT: You may earn 3 percent of extra credit (added to your final grade) by
participating in 3 hours of research experiments. You can sign up for the research studies through
the SONA system. Please choose only those studies that pertain broadly to topics related to
social psychology. You may ask me if a particular topic fits. Other extra credit opportunities may
be provided throughout the semester.
TECHNOLOGY: Cell phones must be turned off or to vibrate and put away for each class
period. If a cell phone rings during class or if a cell phone is seen while class is still in session, I
reserve the right to confiscate it until class is completed. You may use laptops during class to
take notes, but please refrain from any other online activities (e.g. Facebook, gchat, online
shopping, etc.) that will distract you and/or your classmates.
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS VIA GMU E-MAIL: Mason uses electronic mail to
provide official information to students. Examples include communications from course
instructors, notices from the library, notices about academic standing, financial aid information,
class materials, assignments, questions, and instructor feedback. Students are responsible for the
content of university communication sent to their mason e-mail account, and are required to
activate that account and check it regularly.
HONOR CODE: As the instructor for the course, I reserve “the right to enter a failing grade to
any student found guilty of an Honor Code violation.” Violations of the honor code include (but
are not limited to) lying, cheating, plagiarism, as well as turning in or accepting credit for work
that is not yours. I take this very seriously. For more information, go to
www.gmu.edu/catalog/9798/honorcod.html.
CANCELATIONS: Any class cancelations (other than Mason closures for snow days, etc.) will
be sent to students via email. I have a day worked into the syllabus to catch up in case there are
university closures.
Other Important Dates
Last day to add/ drop with no penalty
Last day to drop (33% tuition penalty)
Last day to drop (67% tuition penalty)
Last day of classes
Reading Day
Exam Period
January 26
February 2
February 19
May 2
May 3
May 4 – May 11
DISABILTIY ACCOMODATIONS: If you are a student with a disability and you need
academic accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Resource Office (703-9932474). All academic accommodations must be arranged through that office.
I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus, and will give students ample notice to any
changes. We may take more or less time to cover certain material than is allocated on the
schedule. Therefore, students are responsible for all announcements and any changes to the
syllabus that may be made in class, even if a student misses class meetings.
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COURSE SCHEDULE:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Date
19-Jan
21-Jan
26-Jan
28-Jan
2-Feb
4-Feb
9-Feb
11-Feb
16-Feb
18-Feb
23-Feb
25-Feb
1-Mar
3-Mar
8-Mar
10-Mar
15-Mar
17-Mar
22-Mar
24-Mar
29-Mar
31-Mar
5-Apr
7-Apr
12-Apr
14-Apr
19-Apr
Topic
Syllabus/Course Intro/Social Psych Intro
Methodology
Methodology
Social Cognition
Social Cognition
Social Perception
Social Perception
EXAM I
Attitudes & Attitude Change
Attitudes & Attitude Change
Conformity
Conformity
Self-Justification - Reaction Paper #1 DUE
Catch up class*
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK
Self-Justification
EXAM II
Group Processes
Group Processes
Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal Attraction
Prosocial Behavior - Reaction Paper #2 DUE
Prosocial Behavior
Aggression
EXAM III
Aggression
21-Apr Achieve a Sustainable Future
Assigned Readings
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4
Chapters 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 6
Chapters 6, 7, 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapters 9, 10, 11
SA1; Cialdini (2003); Van
Vugt (2009)
Chapter 13
26-Apr Prejudice
28-Apr Prejudice - Reaction Project # 3 DUE
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5-May FINAL EXAM: 7:30am – 10:15am
Cumulative
*I anticipate at least one or more snow days this semester. I will use March 3 as a day to catch up
on material, and ideally, make it unnecessary to adjust exam and paper deadlines after Spring
Break.
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