Psychology 350 -- Social Psychology
Fall 2007, MWF
Instructor: Dr. McFarland
(TPH 255; 745-4408, sam.mcfarland@wku.edu)
Office Hours: 1-3 p.m. (MW), 8-10 a.m. (TR)
WELCOME! I hope you enjoy the course and learn a lot! Please keep my office hours, phone number,
and e-mail available and get in touch whenever you need my help.
I.
Course Description:
Social psychology is the scientific study of the psychology of interpersonal relationships. In this course
we will discuss the psychological aspects of common social activities, such as understanding other people
and romantic love, and of important social issues, such as aggression, prejudice, and health care. The
lectures will be based on scientific research by social psychologists.
II.
General Course Objectives:
At the completion of Social Psychology, students should be able to:
III.
1.
Understand the research methods used by social psychologists;
2.
Describe the psychological aspects of basic social problems such as prejudice, discrimination, and
aggression, as well as potential solutions to these problems;
3.
Describe how differences pertaining to race, gender, social class, and other social groupings
influence social behavior and perception;
4.
Understand and describe basic processes and common errors in perceiving other people; and
5.
Understand and describe cultural differences in social behavior and perception.
Text:
Social Psychology (9th edition) by David G. Myers is the required text. The first 14 chapters will be
covered. We will have about 2.5 days to cover each chapter.
IV.
Lectures:
Except for perhaps a video or two and the exams, almost all classes will be lectures. There will be only
about 60% overlap between the lectures and the text. The lectures will include research too recent to have
been included in the text and some related topics not covered by the text.
V.
Assistance for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or
services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Downing University
Center, Room A-200. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004. A letter from the Office for
Student Disability Services is required before accommodations will be provided.
VI.
Quizzes and Exams:
A.
Nine Chapter Quizzes (108 points):
Twelve-item multiple-choice quizzes will be given over the first two chapters of each threechapter unit. Because the last unit covers only two chapters, a quiz will be given over only the
first of the two chapters. Each quiz will cover one chapter. The aim of the quizzes is to help you
keep up with the readings and prepare for the major exams. Maximum grade for each quiz: 12
points. First quiz (over chapter 1): Friday, August 31.
B.
Five Exams (500 points):
Five major exams will be given, each covering three chapters and the related lectures. With 41
class meetings, exams will occur about every 8th class meeting. Approximately one-half of each
exam will come from the text, the other half from the lectures. Because there will only be 60%
overlap between the text and lectures, it will be necessary to study the text and lectures to do well
on the tests.
Approximately 75% of each exam will consist of about 35 objective questions (mostly multiplechoice with some fill-in-the-blank). The remaining 25% will be devoted to one discussion
question. On each exam, you will be able to choose to write on one of three discussion questions.
One of the choices on each test will be "Write and answer your own discussion question."
Maximum grade for each exam: 100 points. First exam (over chapters 1 - 3: Friday,
September 14.
You may reschedule one exam or quiz for personal reasons (other exams that day, a weekend trip,
etc.), but you must do so before the exam or quiz. Please use this option judiciously.
VII.
Extra Credit Opportunities (Up to 100 points possible):
The following opportunities are available for earning extra course credit. All students may do both A
and B. All extra-credit work must be received by Friday, November 30.
A.
Book Summary and Critique (Up to 50 bonus points).
Each student may select one book from a list of important social psychology books and write a
summary and reaction paper. The paper should be about 2000 words (approximately 8 standard
double-spaced, typed pages). Two-thirds of the paper should summarize the book by giving a
relatively complete overview. The remaining third should give your own thoughtful analyses of
the book's main strengths, limitations, contributions, implications, applications, etc. The paper
will be graded on a 50-point scale (A = 45 - 50; B = 40 - 44, etc.). P.S.: Points will be deducted
for using print larger than 12-point. For directions on writing a book critique, see the attached
“Qualities of an “A” Book Critique in Social Psychology.” Unless approved in advance, book
reports on books not on the list will not be credited.
B.
Research Paper (Up to 50 bonus points).
Each student may write a 2000-3000 word (8-12 pages) research paper on a specific topic in
social psychology. Your topic must be covered at least briefly in our text and must be approved
in advance. You should locate about ten research articles on your topic and write a well-organized
review of the research. Research papers must be based upon reading original research rather than
secondary sources (textbooks, on-line summaries, etc.). PSYCHINFO, the Internet literature
search for psychology, would be very helpful; I will show you how to use it if you don't know
yet. For further directions, read “Characteristics of an “A” Research Paper.” The following are
listed as suggested topics, but many others are possible.
Altruism: Is it Real?
Causes of Family Violence
Effects of Physical Attractiveness
Eyewitness Testimony
Foot-in-the-Door Technique
Helping
Marriage Happiness
Stress, Social Support, and Health
Authoritarian Personality
Detecting Deception
ELM Model of Persuasion
Factors Influencing Conformity
Groupthink
Homophobia
Media Violence and Aggression
VIII . Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is essential in order to do well in the course. Missing a day is likely to cost you a letter
grade on the next exam. Attendance will be checked daily from a seating chart. After two absences, you
will be asked about your absences. Following four, you may be asked to drop the course.
If you must miss a quiz or an exam, you must let me know before the quiz or exam. Preferred method: email message. However, you may phone me or leave a message with the Psychology Department
secretary (745-2695) if you can't reach me. A make-up quiz or exam will be given only after you present
a valid reason for missing the exam without prior notification.
IX.
Tentative Class Schedule and Assignments:
Important note: It is your responsibility to learn about date changes for quizzes and exams.
Week:
Topics and tests:
Text Chapters:
August 27
Introducing Social Psychology
Chapter #1 quiz: Friday, August 31
Chapter 1
September 3
The Self in a Social World
Chapter #2 quiz: Friday, September 7
Chapter 2
September 10
Social Beliefs and Judgments
Exam #1: Friday, September 14
Chapter 3
September 17
Behavior and Attitudes
Chapter #4 quiz: Friday, September 21
Chapter 4
September 24
Genes, Gender, and Culture
Chapter #5 quiz: Wednesday, September 26
Chapter 5
X.
October 1
Conformity
Exam #2: Wednesday, October 3
Chapter 6
October 8
Persuasion
Chapter #7 quiz: Friday, October 12
Chapter 7
October 15
Group Influence
Chapter #8 quiz: Friday, October 19
Chapter 8
October 22
Prejudice: Disliking Others
Exam #3: Friday, October 26
Chapter 9
October 29
Aggression: Hurting Others
Chapter #10 quiz: Friday, November 2
Chapter 10
November 5
Attraction and Intimacy
Chapter #11 quiz: Friday, November 9
Chapter 11
November 12
Altruism: Helping Others
Exam #4: Friday, November 16
Chapter 12
November 19
Conflict and Peacemaking
Chapter 13
November 26
Chapter #13 quiz: Wednesday, November 28
All extra credit work due: Friday, November 30
December 3
Social Psychology in the Clinic
December 10
Final exam, as scheduled
9:10 a.m. section: Friday, December 14, 8:00 a.m.
10:20 a.m. section: Monday, December 10, 10:30 a.m.
Chapter 14
Grades:
Grades will be assigned on a point-accumulation basis. With 608 points available on the 9 quizzes and 5
exams, the following grading scale will be used:
A = 547 - 608 points (90% to 100%)
B = 487 - 546 points (80% to 89%)
C = 426 - 486 points (70% to 79%)
D = 304 - 425 points (50% to 69%)
F = Fewer than 304 points (less than 50%)
But one important note. You must average at least 85% on the major exams to receive an A for the
course, no matter how much extra credit has been earned.
A final requirement: Please keep all graded quizzes, exams, and other work until the course is completed.
I have occasionally made errors in recording grades.
Once again, I hope that you both learn a lot and enjoy the course.