SEATTLE CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Bachelor of Applied Science
Applied Social Psychology
Spring Quarter 2010
Course Title & Number: -Applied Social Psychology, ABS 320
Credits: 5
Lecture Hours: 55
Lab Hours: 0
Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesday, 6:00-8:30
Room: 2BE3203
Instructor: Karen Strickland, M.S.
Office Location: 3195
Office Hours: Mon. & Wed., 12:30-1:30 and 5:30-6:00; Tues. & Thurs., 12:30-1:30
Office Phone: 587-6911
E-mail: kstric@sccd.ctc.edu
Web site: seattlecentral.edu/faculty/kstric
Disabilities Accommodation: If you need course adaptations or accommodation because of a
disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with us, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment or talk with one
of us as soon as possible
Teaching Methods and Instructor’s Educational Philosophy: Learning is dynamic and
interactive. This course is not about memorization and recall, but critical thinking and analysis,
application, and understanding of the content. Teaching methods include lecture, discussion,
application of material, and assignments intended for learning and assessment. I believe that
students learn best when they are actively involved with the course content. I am also certain that all
students can learn; there are barriers to learning that occur, however, and it is the responsibility of
both the teacher and the student to eliminate these barriers. I also believe that developing your
ability to critically think through problems and information is an important part of your education.
In this class I will ask you to be aware of your thinking processes; for example, are you considering
all the relevant information? Are you clear about your understanding of the material? Are your ideas
logical? When presented with a situation can you draw on the knowledge you have to problem-solve
and make decisions?
Prerequisites: PSYC 110 and admission to BAS Program
Course Description: Applied Social Psychology examines the application of social psychological
concepts in human service settings. Systems theory informs the application of concepts in areas
including prevention, policy analysis, group settings, professional and client relationships, and multicultural competence. Social Psychological research methods will be explored and critiqued with an
emphasis on the application of research to practice.
Course Goals:

Provide course to meet the requirements of the BAS degree.

Prepare students to work effectively with clients utilizing the principles of Social
Psychology.

Infuse multi-cultural literacy into course curriculum and professional practice.

Convey the complexity of interactions between individuals, agencies, and the broader social
context.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic tenets of the scientific nature of
social psychology through the use of primary source research articles; students will be
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able to explain and give examples of relevant research in each of the core areas of the
course.
2. Students will identify how social psychological concepts apply to micro and macro
systems.
3. Students will apply the basic theories of social psychological research to their
experiences in their professional and social environments.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how social psychological concepts are
key to prevention strategies.
5. Students will be able to give examples of how cultural competence is influenced by
social psychological concepts.
6. Students will recognize how social cognition impacts client experiences resulting from
discrepancies between American ideals and experienced reality.
7. Students will identify examples of the influence of social psychological concepts on
public values, professional perspective, public policy, and legislation.
8. Students will develop their self concept as a source of influence in professional settings
through articulation of opportunities to influence decision making that affects those
with whom they work.
9. Students will analyze and develop strategies to address our human tendency to
include/exclude others based on perceived difference and apply this information to
group settings such as residential treatment settings, classrooms, skills training, group
counseling, etc.
10. Students will further develop college-level mastery of information literacy and
technology literacy as related to social psychological research and applied behavioral
science.
Textbooks: The Social Animal, 10th Edition, 2008, Aronson, Eliot. Worth Publishers, ISBN: 13:9781-4294-0316-6
Supplementary Readings: A reading packet will be available in the Copy Center by the second week
of the quarter. You’ll find a bibliography of additional required readings included in this syllabus
packet.
Assignments: All assignments will be word processed, 12 point font and meet professional standards
in terms of presentation and grammar. Late assignments will be subject to a 10% deduction and will
not be accepted more than one week late.
Grading policy, criteria and scales: Details will be provided for each assignment on a separate
handout. Course grade will follow the guideline below.
95-100%
90-94%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
4.0
3.5-3.9
2.5-3.4
1.5-2.4
1.0-1.4
A handout for the Concept Application Log and Annotated Bibliography is provided in this packet.
The handout details the expectations and grading criteria for each.
1. Pre quizzes – Most of our class time will be spent discussing, reviewing, and applying social
psychological topics. Your text and readings are designed to help facilitate this process. Class
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time will be much more productive, and the quality of our discussion more illuminating when
students come to class having read the material! At the beginning of most topics, we’ll have a
brief quiz based on the reading. We’ll grade them immediately, so you’ll get quick feedback and
clarification of basic concepts. Quizzes can not be made up, nor taken at alternative times.
Scheduled quizzes are listed in your syllabus. (10% of grade)
2. Midterm and Final Case Studies -- I believe one of the best ways to demonstrate your
understanding of the material is to apply it to case study examples. A case study consists of a
situation to which you can apply the Social Psychological principles we study this quarter.
Case study will be the method for our midterm and final assessment of your ability to recognize,
use, and extend your knowledge of the course material.
I also recognize that some of the best work in our field occurs when we collaborate with others!
For the midterm and the final, you will be given a case study, and forty-five minutes in class to
discuss the case study with your classmates. For the midterm, you can compile one page of notes
from this discussion and your independent studying to bring with you to the following class
period. You’ll have 45 minutes to respond to the case study during class. The final will be
similar, but it will be a take-home exam.
The midterm case study is worth 20% of your final grade. The final case study is worth 20% of
your final grade. (40% of grade total)
3. Annotated bibliography – Select a topic related to your work setting or a work setting you are
interested in and create an annotated bibliography with a minimum of 10 articles, using APA
style citations. (20% of grade)
4. Concept Application Log – You will maintain a log throughout the quarter, identifying the
concepts for the week and documenting how you see them applied in your work setting.
These will be approximately two pages in length. (20% of grade)
5. Attendance/participation – You are expected to attend class having completed the reading
assignments and ready to actively participate. (10% of grade)
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as "taking and using another person's ideas and/or writing as one's own"
(Oxford American Dictionary). It may be interpreted as the result of misunderstanding or of
cheating. It's becoming a greater problem as information is so readily available on the internet. The
forms of plagiarism we run into include quoting material from a source without identifying it as a
quote and citing it and cutting and pasting material from other sources, as if written by the student.
Sometimes a student will cut and paste an entire paper and pass it off as their own work. All of
these examples are unacceptable. If we notice that it looks like you include a quote in a paper
without acknowledging it, we'll make a note on your paper and ask that you use your own words to
explain the concept. If we find that paragraphs or the entire paper are plagiarized you will receive
no credit for the assignment.
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Calendar/Schedule:
Topic & Assignments
April 5
April 7
What is Social Psychology?
Readings
Aronson – Ch 1
Aronson – Ch 9
Quiz #1 - Ch. 1 and 9
Social Psychological Research Methods-General
April 12
Quiz #2- Ch. 2, & reading
Social Psychological Research Methods-Applied
April 14
Conformity, Compliance & Obedience
Concept Application Log due
Reading List: “Brief
Interventions for Alcohol
Problems”
April 19
Quiz #3 - Ch. 4 & reading
Social Cognition
April 21
Social Cognition
Aronson – Ch 4
April 26
Self Justification
Aronson – Ch 5
April 28
Quiz #4 – Ch. 5 and reading
Application of Social Cognition and Self
Justification to Practice
45 minute prep for midterm case study
May 3
May 5
Aronson – Ch 2
Reading List: Reading List:
“Strangers to Ourselves…”
Reading List: “Dissonance,
Hypocrisy, and the SelfConcept”
Mid Term Exam - 45 minute case study
Human Aggression
Aronson – Ch 6
Human Aggression
Reading List: “The Conflict
Resolution Connection…”
Concept Application Log due
May 10
May 12
Quiz #5 - Ch. 7 and reading
Prejudice
Prejudice
Aronson – Ch 7
Reading List: “Social Class is
Dead. Long Live Social…”
Reading List: “The Real
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Quality of Life Issue…”
May 17
Quiz #6 – Ch. 3 and reading
Mass Communication, Persuasion & Prevention
May 19
Aronson – Ch 3
Reading assignment to be
announced
Prevention, Continued
May 24
Quiz #7 - reading
Group Process
May 26
Reading assignment to be
announced
May 31 Memorial Day-no class
June 2
Group Process
Concept Application Log due
June 7
June 9
Quiz #8, Readings
Social Psychology and Policy Implications
Reading List: “Challenging
values and Inspiring Attitude
Change…”
Reading List: “Social
Psychological Factors in
Lifestyle Change…”
Continue Policy Implications
45 minute Final Case Study prep
Annotated Bibliography due
June 14
Social Psychology and Policy Implications
June 16
Final Exam – 45 minute Case Study

Students are expected to read the assignments for the week in advance.

This syllabi and course schedule are subject to change at the discretion of the instructors.
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Additional reading assignments-in order of appearance on the calendar
Oskamp, Stuart (2007). Applying Psychology to Help Save the World: Reflections on a Career in
Psychology. Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy, 7(1), pp 121-136.
Moyer, Anne Ph.D., and Finney, John W. Ph.D. (2004/2005). Brief Interventions for Alcohol
Problems: Factors That Facilitate Implementation. Alcohol Research & Health, 28(1), pp 44-50.
Wilson, Timothy D. (2004). Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious.
Abridged version of Ch. 8 Instrospection and Self-Narratives. Reprinted in Readings about the Social
Animal. Aronson, ed., 2004, pp 214-224.
Aronson, E. (1997). Dissonance, Hypocrisy, and the Self-Concept. Paper presentation for fortieth
anniversary of the theory of cognitive dissonance, University of Texas at Arlington. Reprinted in
Readings about the Social Animal, Aronson, ed. 2004, pp 227-244.
Heydenberk, Roberta Anna and Heydenberk, Warren R. (2007). The Conflict Resolution
Connection: Increasing School Attachment in Cooperative Classroom Communities. Reclaiming
Children and Youth, 16(3), pp 18-22.
Bettina Spencer & Emanuele Castano, 2007. Social Class is Dead. Long Live Social Class: Stereotype
Threat among Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals. Social Justice Research, 20, pp 418–432.
Wachsler, Sharon (2007). The Real Quality of Life Issue for People with Disabilities. Journal of
Progressive Human Services, 18(2), pp 7-14.
Sullivan, Elizabeth & Johns, Robert, (2002). Challenging Values and Inspiring Attitude Change:
Creating an Effective Learning Experience. Social Work Education, 21(2), pp 217-231.
Maio, G., Verplanken, B., Manstead, A., Stroebe, W., Abraham, C., Sheeran, P. & Conner, M (2007).
Social Psychological Factors in Lifestyle Change and Their Relevance to Policy. Social Issues and Policy
Review, 1(1), pp 99-137.
ABS 320-Applied Social Psychology
Concept Application Log and Annotated Bibliography
Concept Application Log
This assignment gives you the opportunity to look for evidence of the social psychology concepts
we are studying in your day to day social and work life.
Each week make note of the major concepts in the reading assignments. Write a one sentence
definition for each of the concepts.
Then, as you go through your work day, consider the relevance of these concepts to your
observations. For example, when you are facilitating a group do you see evidence of conformity?
Do you see that people are persuaded more readily by someone with credibility versus someone
without? What are the precipitating factors to aggression you observe in yourself or others?
Frustration? Role models that behave aggressively? Physical discomfort?
Your concept application log should be word processed, 12 point font, double spaced and about
two pages. Reflect on two to three concepts each week. Turn in your logs three times throughout
the quarter (due dates are listed on calendar).
Grading matrix
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CRITERIA
Accuracy (50%)
Thoughtfulness
(40%)
Mechanics (10%)
DESCRIPTION OF FULL CREDIT WORK
Major concepts are identified with clear definition in student’s words. Example
reflects the concept, student explains concept and application clearly and
accurately.
Writing demonstrates student has reflected on the concept and the situation.
Student’s work is professionally presented, with few grammatical or
typographical errors.
Annotated Bibliography
Due: December 9, 2009
This assignment will give you the chance to explore the published literature on a topic related to
Social Psychology and of special interest to you. Using the Seattle Central electronic databases (or
other scholarly journal sources), you will locate seven to ten peer reviewed articles, all related to a
topic within Applied Social Psychology. For example, you may decide to explore how social
psychological principles are relevant to maintaining or challenging the “isms.” Or perhaps you’re
interested in prevention and want to study how social psychology can contribute to effective
prevention programs.
After selecting your articles you will read them carefully and write a one to two page summary of
each. The abstract will include:
1. The hypothesis and whether or not it was supported or question posed by the
researchers
2. Who the subjects are
3. Conclusions that can be drawn
4. Relevance of the article to applied Social Psychology
5. Questions provoked by this research
6. Limitations of the research (optional)
Your paper will be word processed, 12 point font and double spaced. The following matrix will be
used to evaluate your work.
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CRITERIA
Quality and
relevance of articles
(15%)
Comprehension of
Psychological
Concepts (50%)
Critical Thinking
(25%)
Mechanics(10%)
DESCRIPTION OF FULL CREDIT WORK
Articles are relevant, peer reviewed and thorough. They
reflect the current knowledge base and are of use to
behavioral science practice.
Student uses terms and concepts accurately and
understands the purpose of the research. Student
understands the conclusions of the research and
relevance of the information to behavioral science.
Student is able to identify strengths and weaknesses of
the research. Student poses meaningful questions about
the topic.
Student’s work is professionally presented, with few
grammatical or typographical errors.
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