Spring 2012
PSY 240: Introduction to Social Psychology
June 11- August 3, 2012
1:00-2:00 pm, PRC 277
Instructor: Erica Schneid
Office: PSY 2188
E-mail: schneid@psych.purdue.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Required Text: Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2010) Social Psychology (7th edition). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
ISBN-10: 0205697569 ISBN-13: 9780205697564 (loose-leaf version, there is a hardcover version as well.)
**** Also available as an e-text (online access only, can NOT print). This option will be discussed the first
day of class. ***
E-text purchase link: http://www.coursesmart.com/social-psychology-seventh-edition/elliot-aronson-timothy-dwilson-robin-m-akert/dp/9780138144579 (there may be other options, this is just one of them…you may want
to do some google-ing to double check if it’s the best price.)
Course objectives: Social psychology is the scientific study of the ways in which individuals’ thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Now that you
know that, the other main goals of this course are to a) encourage you to think about the field in terms of your
own everyday life and experiences, b) promote critical thinking about research and application of the scientific
method in the field of social psychology, and c) expose you to a new area of psychology (we're not all
therapists!) Students completing PSY 240 will gain a basic knowledge of social psychological principles and
theories, as well as an understanding of their practical applications.
Course meetings: Course meetings will primarily consist of lectures with PowerPoint, occasional videos, and
in-class activities. To prevent you from having to spend all of your time furiously writing notes instead of
focusing on the lecture, following each class, I will post the slides on Blackboard. However, there will be some
figures and examples that can’t be understood simply by looking at the slides alone. Therefore, it is important
that you attend the lectures themselves so you know what they mean.
**Although I will be lecturing for each class, you should not feel like you’re a spectator. I would love for you
to interrupt at any point with questions, comments, critical thoughts, etc. However, please make sure your
comments are meant to enhance the class or your understanding and are respectful to both myself and your
fellow classmates. This will make the class more enjoyable for everyone.
Course format: The course (and your grade) will be made up of four exams, one written assignment, and
online assignments/quizzes for each chapter.
I expect everyone to have read the assigned chapter BEFORE the class in which we will be discussing
said chapter. This is not only for my benefit. The purpose of my lecture is to clarify the material in the text,
supplement it with examples, and discuss additional information. The lectures will not follow the text exactly
and are not meant as a substitute for reading the material.
Exams: The exams will each be worth 50 points and may be a combination of multiple choice, matching, etc.,
but will not include any written questions (short answer, etc.) Questions may be drawn from material that was
covered in the lecture but not the textbook, in the textbook but not the lecture, or material that was covered both
Spring 2012
in the lecture and in the textbook. **Your lowest exam grade will be dropped. ** Each exam will be worth 50
points for a total of 150 points from your three highest exams. The final exam will NOT be cumulative.
Makeup exams:
Makeup exams will be offered only in extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical emergency) at the instructor’s
discretion. If you have an unexpected emergency and miss an exam, you must contact Andy or Dongning within
24 hours of the original exam time and provide written documentation. Makeup exams will NOT be given
without documentation. I reserve the right to alter the format of the makeup exam (i.e., essay questions may be
used). This is especially important given the fact that the class only lasts 8 weeks.
***If you will be taking your exam in the testing center at Schleman Hall, you must schedule your exam for the
same day that the in-class exam is scheduled. You also will need to email me with the time you will be taking
the exam by the Friday before the exam so that we can get the information to IDP in time for you to take your
exam.
Grades: Your final grade will be calculated based on the written assignment (30 points), online
activities/quizzes (60 points) and your three highest exam grades (150 points). Final grades will be determined
using the table below.
Percentage
97% and above
93-96.9%
90-92.9%
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
80-82.9%
77-79.9%
73-76.9%
70-72.9%
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
60-62.9%
59.9% and below
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Extra credit: Occasional extra credit may be offered to the class as a as part of an exam. Out of fairness to
others, no extra assignments/points will be offered beyond those announced to everyone. So, if at the end of
class, you are upset with your grade and are wondering if you can be granted any individual extra credit... don’t
even ask.
Emergency statement required by the Purdue University Administration: In the event of a major campus
emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be
necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. Here are ways to get information about
changes in this course: Blackboard Vista web page or my email address, as listed above on this syllabus.
PURDUE STUDENT CODE OF HONOR: Know it, love it, be it. Cheating is a serious offense. ANY
incidents of cheating during exams will be taken very seriously, with the offending student(s) receiving a failing
grade for the course. You can review the Purdue Student Code of Honor here:
http://www.purdue.edu/usp/acad_policies/student_code.shtml
Spring 2012
Schedule of Lecture Topics and Readings
This schedule is subject to change
Date
Topic
Monday, June 11
Syllabus, Basic class info,
Introduction to the field of Social Psychology
Tuesday, June 12
Introduction to the field of Social Psychology
Wednesday, June 13
Introduction to the field of Social Psychology
Thursday, June 14
Methodology
Friday, June 15
Methodology
Monday, June 18
Methodology
Tuesday, June 19
Social Cognition
Wednesday, June 20
Social Cognition
Thursday, June 21
Social Cognition
Friday, June 22
Review/Study Day
Monday, June 23
EXAM 1
Tuesday, June 24
Social Perception (p 95-113); The Self
Wednesday, June 25
The Self
Thursday, June 26
The Self
Friday, June 27
Dissonance
Activities
to
complete
BEFORE
Class
None!
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Review ?s
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
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Monday, June 30
Dissonance
Tuesday, July 1
Dissonance
Wednesday, July 2
Attitudes & Attitude Change
Thursday, July 3
Attitudes & Attitude Change
Friday, July 4
NO CLASS- 4TH OF JULY!!!!
Monday, July 7
Attitudes & Attitude Change/ Review
Tuesday, July 8
EXAM 2
Wednesday, July 9
Prejudice
Thursday, July 10
Prejudice
Friday, July 11
Prejudice
Monday, July 12
Conformity
Tuesday, July 13
Conformity
Wednesday, July 14
Group processes
Thursday, July 15
Group processes
Friday, July 16
Review/Study Day
Monday, July 19
EXAM 3
Tuesday, July 20
Interpersonal Attraction
Wednesday, July 21
Interpersonal Attraction
Thursday, July 22
Interpersonal Attraction
Chapter 7
Review ?s
Chapter 13
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Review ?s
Chapter 10
Spring 2012
Friday, July 23
Prosocial Behavior
Monday, July 26
Prosocial Behavior
Tuesday, July 27
Prosocial Behavior
Wednesday, July 28
Aggression
Thursday, July 29
Aggression
Friday, July 30
Review/Study Day
Final Exam TBA
THE END! YOU SURVIVED! CONGRATULATIONS!
HAPPY SUMMER!!!
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Review ?s