Social Psychology
PSY-230; Fall 2014
Monday, Wednesday, Friday / 9:15a – 10:20a / Bailey Hall 312
Professor
George Bizer, Ph.D.
Office location: Bailey Hall 301-B
Phone number: 388-6228
Email address: bizerg@union.edu
Website:
www.GeorgeBizer.com
Office hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 to 2:30
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Objective
At one level, I hope that students will gain a thorough understanding of social psychology’s most
important classical and contemporary theories and the empirical evidence that supports them.
Perhaps more importantly, however, I want students to learn how to think like social psychologists.
By reading and understanding primary articles, by designing research studies, and by routinely
stepping back to see how social psychology applies to everyday life, I hope that students will emerge
from the course as better thinkers and consumers of social-psychological research in specific and of
scientific research in general.
Primary Articles
An important goal of this course is for students to gain experience in reading and learning from
empirical articles. As such, you will be reading articles from Social Psychological and Personality
Science, one of the field’s most impactful journals. Each article should be read by Monday of the week
for which they are assigned; papers will be due by the beginning of class on that Monday. The articles
are available atiwww1.union.edu/bizerg/readings230i
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Grading
Grades will be scored out of a possible 400 points. The point breakdown will be as follows:
Quiz 1:
Quiz 2:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Thought Papers (top 5):
50pts
50pts
100pts
100pts
100pts
Grades will be awarded according to the following schedule:
352
312
B+
C+
368
328
288
240
<240
A
B
C
D
F
360
320
280
A–
B–
C–
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Optional Textbook
Baron, R. A., Byrne, D., & Branscombe, N. R. (2007). Mastering Social Psychology. Boston: Pearson.
Important Policies
Expected Absences. If you know that you will miss a class due to religious observances or athletic
competition, please let me know no later than the week prior to the class to be missed.
Unexpected Absences. If you experience an emergency or suffer from an illness that precludes your
attendance, please call or email me as soon as possible. In such circumstances, you will need to
provide written documentation to make up exams or submit thought papers late. Makeup exams will
be administered in an alternate format.
Late Submissions. Papers are due at the beginning of the class period for which they are assigned.
Papers received via email by midnight later in the day will be accepted subject to a deduction
equivalent to one letter grade. Papers received via email by midnight on the following calendar day
will be accepted subject to a deduction equivalent to two letter grades. Papers submitted thereafter
will not be accepted.
Disabilities. It is the policy of Union College to make reasonable accommodations for qualified
individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and wish to request
accommodations to complete the course requirements, please make an appointment with me. All
discussions will remain confidential.
Academic Dishonesty. Judicial action will be taken against any student engaging in dishonest
behaviors. Dishonest behavior includes, but certainly is not limited to: Plagiarism on any assignment
(including thought papers); Collaboration with fellow students on any assignment (including thought
papers); Dishonesty during examinations (i.e., copying others’ answers; use of notes). Although
discussion with your classmates about assignments and readings is encouraged, collaboration – working
jointly toward the completion of an assignment – is not.
Schedule Modification. Although I intend to follow the Schedule, I reserve the right to make changes if
necessary. Such changes, if any, will be clearly stated in class; it is the student’s responsibility to be
aware of such changes by attending class.
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Article
Monday
(Paper due on Monday)
1
3
4
Sept 12
Introduction
Ch. 1 (through p. 15)
Sept 17
Methods
Ch. 1 (through p. 19)
Sept 19
Social Cognition
Ch. 2
Sept 24
QUIZ 1
Attribution
Ch. 3
Oct 1
Social Cognition
Attitudes
Ch. 4 (through p. 107)
Oct 8
Attitudes
Persuasion
EXAM 1
Oct 15
Oct 17
Social Influence
Ch. 9
Oct 20
Social Influence
Social Influence
Oct 22
Oct 24
The Self
Ch. 5 + p. 116-120
Oct 27
The Self
Groups
Ch. 12
Oct 31
none
Schudt et al. (2012):
The “Fair Trade” Effect
Methods
Ch. 1 (p. 19-end)
Sept 22
Chan, Tong, & Tan (2014).
Taking a Leap of Faith
Social Perception
Ch. 3
Sept 29
6
7
8
The Ground-Zero Mosque
Attribution
Class cancelled
Oct 3
Oct 10
Loersch et al. (2012):
Subliminal Persuasion
Persuasion
Ch. 4 (p. 107-115)
Oct 13
Henderson & Burgoon (2014).
Door-in-the-Face
Brown & Han (2012):
My Better Half
Mendoza, Lane, & Amodio (2014).
Ingroup Punishment
Groups
Nov 3
9
Sept 26
Yang et al. (2012):
Oct 6
5
Friday
Sept 10
Sept 15
2
Wednesday
Oct 29
QUIZ 2
Attraction
Ch. 7
Nov 5
Attraction
Nov 7
Wang et. al (2014).
Reduced Stereotyping
Prejudice
Ch. 6
Nov 10
Prejudice
Prejudice
Nov 12
Nov 14
Aggression
Prosocial Behavior
Ch. 10
Gabbiadini et al. (2014).
10 Violent Video Games
10
½
none
Aggression
Ch. 11
Nov 17
Individual Differences
EXAM 2 will cover material from
October 13 onward. Date and time to be
determined by the College registrar.
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