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PSYC/SOC 325 (01) - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Fall, 2002
Instructors:
Dr. Linda Lindsey
Department of Sociology
Dr. Daniel Sparling
Department of Psychology
Office:
E-mail:
Phone:
AB 3216
lindsey@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9456
Reid 3314
sparl@maryville.edu
(314) 529-9457
FAX:
(314) 529-9965 School of Liberal Arts & Professional Programs
Office Hours: Announced during the first class and posted on office doors
Time: 9:25-10:40 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Room: Reid 3323
Credits: 3
Text: Social Psychology, 4th Edition (Prentice Hall, 2002)
by Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, and Robin M. Akert.
Other bibliography and reading material may be put on library reserve and distributed in
class.
Course Description
This course provides an overview of the social psychological aspects of human
behavior, with a focus on the roles that social interaction, group influences and culture
play in individual behavior.
Course Objectives
The basic purpose of the course is to introduce students to the major theories, research
findings and applications in the field of social psychology. The course is interdisciplinary
in perspective, providing both psychological and sociological examinations of social
behavior. The uses of social psychological theories and research in social policy will be
highlighted.
Additional objectives are for students will be to demonstrate an understanding of:

the major theories used by social psychologists and how these theories guide
research and explain a variety of human social behavior.

sociological psychology, symbolic interaction and the social construction of
reality.

the social psychological explanations for prejudice and discrimination and how
prejudice can be reduced.
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
factors influencing interpersonal attraction.

factors influencing prosocial behavior and aggression.

what social psychologists have learned about how we perceive and judge others
and ourselves and the types of errors in perception and judgment that are
commonly made.

how attitudes are formed and modified over time.

factors influencing conformity and obedience to authority.

the process of how people form inferences from social information in the
environment.

the basic principles of attributing causes to our own and to others' behavior.
Course Requirements
Quizzes and Class Assignments
Generally a quiz will be given each week (except the first). Quizzes will cover reading
assignments and material from the previous class week. Although the text will be major
component, note that quizzes and exams (see below) will also cover lecture content
that may not come directly from the text. In addition to quizzes, in-class as well as
homework assignments may be given, some of these involving group work where one
grade will be given for all group members. The lowest quiz will be dropped. If a quiz in
missed, that will be the dropped grade. No make-up quizzes will be given. Points will be
deducted for late assignments. These will count for 30% of the final grade.
Midterm and Final Exams
The midterm and final exams may include both essay and objective questions. Some
essay questions may be given in advance so that students can construct clear, wellorganized and thoughtful responses. A high level of performance is expected on these
exams. Short restatements of lecture and textbook material, however accurate, will not
be acceptable. Emphasis will be placed on the student's demonstrated ability to
critically evaluate, analyze and apply the various theories and research findings covered
in the course. These will count for 30% of the final grade (15% each).
Paper and Presentation
The research paper (10-12 pages) will be chosen from a list of topics provided by the
instructors. The topic will be narrowed to a specific content area that will allow for a
focused review of its relevant theory and research. The paper will demonstrate both the
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analytical depth of the topic as well as your conceptual understanding of it. You will
present your research to the class and will be evaluated according to both the content
of the paper as well as the style of the presentation. Along with the grade on the paper,
the presentation portion of this grade is the critique, discussion and relevant questions
directed to the projects of your classmates. Specific guidelines for the research paper
will be distributed. The paper and presentation will count for 30% of the final grade.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance and participation will count for 10% of the final grade. Students are
expected to attend class regularly and contribute significantly to class discussion and
groupwork. Students will be evaluated during each class period in this regard.
Grading Scale
A = 94-100
B+ = 87-89
C+ = 77-79
D = 60-69
A- = 90-93
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
F = under 60
Lecture Topic and Reading Schedule
Date and Topic
Reading
Part I - Dr. Lindsey
Aug 27- Aug 29
Overview of the course; Introduction to social psychology
Social psychological theories and research
Sept. 3
Symbolic interaction; social construction
of reality; sociological psychology
Sept. 5
Prejudice; stereotyping; discrimination; normative
explanations for prejudice; reducing prejudice
Video: The Nature of Prejudice
Sept. 10-12
Interpersonal attraction; close relationships; defining love;
selecting friends, partners and lovers
Ch. 1
Social Interaction
Ch. 6 – Lindsey/Beach
(Handout)
Ch. 13
pp. 457-465
490 -502
Ch. 10
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Sept 17-19
Prosocial behavior; altruism; the helping process;
Personal and situational determinants
increasing helping
Ch. 11
Sept 24-26
Aggression; defining aggression; biological,
cultural causes; media violence; reducing aggression
Ch. 12
Oct.1
Exam review - group meetings
Oct 3
Midterm Exam
Part II - Dr. Sparling
Oct. 8-10
Social cognition: thinking about the social world;
low and high-effort thinking
Ch. 3
Oct. 15-17
Social perception: understanding others;
nonverbal behavior; attributions
Ch. 4
Oct. 22-24
Self-knowledge: the self; introspection; observing
our own behavior
Ch. 5
Oct. 29-31
Self-justification: maintaining self esteem;
cognitive dissonance; negative self-beliefs
Ch. 6
Nov. 5-7
Attitudes and attitude change: origin of attitudes;
predicting behavior from attitudes
Ch. 7
Nov. 12,14, 19
Conformity: influence g behavior; social influence;
compliance; obedience to authority
Ch. 8 & Ch. 9
Group processes; group influence on behavior;
conflict and cooperation
Nov. 21
Final Exam
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Nov. 26-28 Thanksgiving holidays - No classes
Dec. 3, 5, 10 Presentations
Dec. 12
Research paper due
Note: This syllabus is subject to change to meet academic and instructional needs.