SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course Syllabus
One never encounters ‘society’ anywhere; one encounters people.
--Forrest H. Peterson
SOC 3701, Spring 2010
Social Psychology
10:00 - 10:50 a.m., MWF
Class meets in Cina 224
Dr. Janelle Wilson
office: Cina 228b
726-6364; jwilson2@d.umn.edu
office hours: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., M;
11:00 a.m. - 12:00, W (and by app’t.)
Purpose/Objectives of this Course
The primary objective of this course is to introduce you to the field of social psychology. Drawing from
both psychology and sociology, social psychology is the study of individual behavior as it occurs in social
relationships. The social psychologist recognizes the need to look at both the individual and his or her
place in relationships and social situations in order to better understand human behavior. Special
attention will be given to the symbolic interactionist approach to understanding human behavior.
The assignments, lectures, and class activities are designed in a way that is intended to make the subject
matter “real” and applicable —- i.e., applicable to both your academic program and to your own life.
Many of the topics discussed in this class are amenable to discussion. Indeed, the class will work best if
each of us is an active participant in the learning process.
Textbooks
The required textbooks for this course are:
Knowing People: The Personal Use of Social Psychology, by Michael J. Lovaglia.
New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality: A Symbolic Interactionist Approach to Social Psychology
and Sociology (Third Edition), by Kent L. Sandstrom, Daniel D. Martin, and Gary Alan Fine. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Course Requirements
Quizzes
Pop quizzes will periodically be given, with each quiz worth 10 points. If a quiz is missed, it can be made
up within a week, but a two-point penalty will be applied.
Exams
There will be a total of four exams this semester, the last of which is a comprehensive final exam. These
exams will combine multiple choice, fill-in, and essay questions, and will be based on class lectures,
discussions, and other class activities, as well as the assigned readings in the textbooks. The first three
exams will be worth 50 points each, and the cumulative final exam will be worth 100 points. Make-up
exams will be given only under exceptional circumstances.
Short Paper: Notes on Self
For this paper assignment, refer to Question 3 at the end of Chapter 5 in the Sandstrom book – ‘Pretend
that you have to describe your “self” to an actor who will perform your character in a play. What kinds of
moods, gestures, expressions, postures, and habits would be reflective of who you “really” are? If this
actor tried to imitate you, by way of parody, what would she or he emphasize? If your friends or family
members had to describe you as a person, what would they say? Would you describe yourself in a
similar way? Why or why not?’
The paper should be typed and 2 to 4 pages in length. Typos and grammatical errors will be penalized.
The paper is worth 25 points and is due on April 3rd. Please turn the paper in on time. For each day it is
late, five points will be docked from the score. If a week has passed since the due date, the assignment
will not be accepted.
Grades
Final grades will be determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points
possible. The resulting percentage will be converted into a letter grade according to the following scale:
93 - 100% = A
90 - 92% = A88 - 89% = B+
83 - 87% = B
80 - 82% = B-
78 - 79% = C+
73 - 77% = C
70 - 72% = C68 - 69% = D+
60 - 67% = D
59% & below = F
Please note: If you have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect your ability to perform in
this class, please inform me of your situation at the start of the semester. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing
may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic dishonesty tarnishes UMD's reputation and discredits the accomplishments of students. UMD is
committed to providing students every possible opportunity to grow in mind and spirit. This pledge can only be
redeemed in an environment of trust, honesty, and fairness. As a result, academic dishonesty is regarded as a
serious offense by all members of the academic community. In keeping with this ideal, this course will adhere to
UMD's Student Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at: www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/integrity
NOTE ON CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: The classroom is a place of mutual respect and tolerance.
I need your cooperation in creating this kind of atmosphere. During class, please do not read the newspaper or talk
to your neighbor while the professor or a fellow classmate is talking; and if you must bring a cell phone to class,
please turn it off. The University's Student Conduct Code can be found at:
http://www.d.umn.edu/assl/conduct/code
Course Outline
Week 1
Introduction to course and subject matter
Overview/Review of Fundamental theories in Social Psychology
Reading Assignment: Chapter 1 in Lovaglia; Chapters 1 - 2 in Sandstrom
Week 2
Fundamental Attribution Error; Attitudes; Why Affirmations Might Work!
Intro to Symbolic Interactionism
Reading Assignment: Chapter 2 in Lovaglia; Chapter 3 in Sandstrom
Week 3
Symbolic Communication and Language; Person Perception and Attribution
Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 in Sandstrom
Week 4
Socialization Processes
Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 in Sandstrom; Chapter 3 in Lovaglia
Week 5
Self and Identity; Constructing a Self
Reading Assignment: Chapter 4 in Lovaglia
Week 6
Monday, Feb. 23: Exam 1
Mental Disorder; Optimism and Illusion
Reading Assignment: Chapter 5 in Lovaglia; Review pp. 30 and 35-37 in Sandstrom
(from Chapter 2)
Week 7
Personal Influence; Self-disclosure in Relationships
Impression Management and Ethnomethodology
Reading Assignment: Chapter 6 in Lovaglia
Friday, March 5: Short Paper is due
Week 8
Persuasion
Reading Assignment: Chapter 6 in Sandstrom; Chapter 7 in Lovaglia
March 16 - 20: Spring Break
Week 9
Status in the Workplace; Social Structure and Personality
Role-Taking, Role-Making, and Emotion Work
Reading Assignment: Chapter 8 in Lovaglia
Week 10
Monday, March 29: Exam 2
Prejudice and Discrimination
Reading Assignment: Chapter 9 in Lovaglia
Week 11
The Sociology of Love
Group Dynamics; studies of Conformity and Obedience
Reading Assignment: Chapter 7 in Sandstrom
Week 12
Social Psychological Approach to Deviant Behavior
Reading Assignment: Chapter 8 in Sandstrom
Week 13
Monday, April 20: Exam 3
Collective Behavior and Social Movements
Week 14
Social Psychological approaches to understanding Aggression
Social Psychological approaches to understanding Helping Behavior; Altruism
Reading Assignment: Appendix in Lovaglia; Review Chapter 2 in Sandstrom
Week 15
Research Methods used in Social Psychology; Ethics in Research
Wrap up
Final Exam: Thursday, May 14 8:00-9:55 a.m.
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The point is that human beings have the capacity to think beyond what is to what might be,
or even to what ought to be.
-- Kenneth R. Hoover
Not
only do we influence our reality, but, in some degree, we actually create it.
--Gary Zukav