Psychology 3523 – Introduction to Social Psychology
Fall Semester 2013
Arkansas State University
Section 1 (CRN 60107): MWF 10:00-10:50AM ED 207
Instructor: Dr. Wayne Wilkinson
Phone: (870) 680-8129
E-mail: wwilkinson@astate.edu
Office Location: ED 307
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:30-10:30 AM
Wednesday & Friday 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Or by appointment
I. The Undergraduate Bulletin Description
Analysis of the situational factors which influence various behaviors including aggression, altruism, and
interpersonal attraction.
II. My Course Description and Goals (with a Warning and Disclaimer)
This course provides an introduction to all of the major subfields of social psychology, including social
cognition, attitude theory, and intergroup relations. Attention is also given to discussing some of the
overarching themes and approaches currently prevalent in social psychology (e.g., dual process theories,
evolutionary theory, and politicization of research topics).
The primary goal of this course is to capitalize on your learning and comprehension of social psychology.
In the end, it is not your final grade that ultimately demonstrates your successful completion of this
course; rather, it is your ability to spontaneously apply the principles of social psychology to understand
yourself and those around you. Indeed, throughout the course you will discover that social psychological
principles are present not only in many other areas of psychology (e.g., attributional approaches to
depression), but also in numerous fields outside psychology: marketing and advertising, trial law, and
political campaigns.
Some topics we will discuss in this course may be considered controversial by some individuals (e.g.
religion, race relations, and political thinking). If you do not wish to be part of open discussions on such
topics, please reconsider your enrollment in this course.
Circumstances may arise which prevent us from fulfilling every aspect of this syllabus; therefore, the
syllabus is subject to change. The instructor reserves the right to modify the course at any time as
needed. Students will be notified of any changes.
III. Required Textbook
Myers , D. G. (2013). Social Psychology (11th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
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IV. Program Goals
This course contributes to meeting the following goals of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology
program:
• Successful graduates from the BS Psychology program should be familiar with the major theoretical
approaches, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
• Successful graduates of the BS Psychology program should understand and be able to use basic
research methods in psychology, including design, data collection, data analyses, and interpretation.
• Successful graduates from the BS Psychology program should have an understanding of applications of
psychology to personal, social, and organizational situations.
V. Recommended Supplemental Texts
I will place several supplemental texts on the Blackboard site for this course. The reading of these texts
is not required and the exams will not include material from them unless it is covered in the lectures.
Most of the texts are journal articles or book chapters that provide a broad review on particular social
psychology topics. The purpose of the supplemental texts is simply to provide interested students a
starting point if they desire to know more about a particular topic. If you find a particular topic
interesting and I do not have a supplemental text for it, just let me know and I will endeavor to find a
recent summary of the relevant research.
VI. Course Format
This course will be conducted in a loose lecture format. This means that although I will present
traditional lectures, I desire and expect comments, questions, discussions, and even objections about
the lecture materials during class. Although I will regulate the length of the discussions due to time
limits, I rarely will regulate the content of the discussions unless the statements being made are
inappropriate or inflammatory.
It is strongly suggested that you read the textbook before a specific chapter is discussed in class. Also,
please be aware that any material from the textbook is eligible to appear on an exam or as a
PsychoJeopardy question (see below), even if the topic is never covered in a lecture. Due to time
constraints it will not always be possible to cover every topic from the textbook in class.
Like any textbook, the one selected for this class contains the biases and opinions of the author. On
some occasions, I will discuss material that is not included in the textbook because I consider the
textbook coverage to be one-sided or incomplete (e.g., violent video games and aggression). In addition,
there are some topics not included in the textbook (e.g., social support and well-being) that will be
discussed in class. All lecture material is eligible to be included on exams.
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VII. Course Requirements
Your grade in the course is based on a possible total of 390 points (although, as described below, with
PsychoJeopardy it is possible to score 400 points for the course).
● Three exams (100 points each): Each exam will consist of 30 multiple choice questions (2 points each),
three short answer questions (5 points each), and one essay question (25 points). One week before each
exam, you will receive a list of possible essay questions (one for each chapter included on the exam).
One of these possible questions will be randomly chosen to appear on the exam. The final exam is not
cumulative.
♦ Make-up exams are possible only if a valid excuse (with any necessary evidence) for missing an
exam is provided at the next class session attended. All make-up exams must be completed
within one week of the student’s return to class.
♦ Exam grades are posted on Blackboard. If you wish, you may view your exam during my office
hours to determine which questions you answered incorrectly; however, you may not keep your
exam or make a copy of it. If a question is marked as incorrect but you feel your answer is
correct, you may contest the question by writing a rebuttal. Rebuttals must be submitted in
written form (no electronic submissions). Indicate which question you are appealing, the answer
that you think is correct, and a rationale for why you think your answer is correct (this includes
SPECIFIC references to class materials or lectures). Rebuttals will be reviewed and credit will be
given accordingly. Submit rebuttals no later than one week after reviewing your exam.
● Three writing assignments (30 points each): For each writing assignment, you will be provided two
reading selections that present differing sides of a controversial issue in social psychology. You are to
provide a short summary of each side and then state your opinion on the issue (which may be different
than either of the reading selections). You should write your paper with the goal of persuading someone
who is unfamiliar with the topic that your position is the correct one; therefore, after summarizing the
two sides you should discuss the strengths of your position and the weaknesses of the other side(s). You
are also required to answer one of two application questions that will be provided with each
assignment’s reading selections.
Writing assignments are due by 5:00PM on the due date. No electronic submissions accepted. Each
paper should be a minimum of two pages of text in length (there is no maximum limit) using the
following specifications:
♦ APA style for in-text citations and reference list
♦ 11 or 12 point font
♦ No more than double-spaced lines
♦ 1 inch margins on all sides
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If you have concerns about your writing abilities, please utilize the services provided by the ASU Writing
Lab (Wilson 314). I am also willing to read rough drafts; however, they must be turned in no later than
three class sessions before the due date in order to allow you time to make changes.
● PsychoJeopardy (up to 10 points possible): At the beginning of each class session I will ask four
questions based on that week’s textbook chapter. Using a random number generator, I will select one
student to answer each question in the form of an answer. You have 10 seconds to answer the question.
For each correctly answered question, you will receive 1 point. If you cannot answer the question
correctly you lose 1 PsychoJeopardy point (if you have any to lose – there are no negative scores). Please
note that the 10 possible PsychoJeopardy points are not included in the maximum number of points
possible for the course; therefore, losing PsychoJeopardy points does not lower your grade in the course.
If the first person cannot answer the question, one other randomly selected student will be given the
opportunity.
VIII. Extra Credit
Extra credit may become available throughout the semester in the form of participating in research
(e.g., completing surveys) being conducted by ASU faculty and students. The points rewarded for each
extra credit opportunity will be determined at later date and based on the time and effort required for
completion.
IX. Grading Scale
A = 351-390 points (90.00%-100.00%)
B = 312-350 points (80.00%-89.99%)
C = 273-311 points (70.00%-79.99%)
D = 234-272 points (60.00%-69.99%)
F = 0-233 points (0.00%-59.99%)
X. Academic Misconduct Policy
Arkansas State University enthusiastically promotes academic integrity and professional ethics among all
members of the ASU academic community. Violations of this policy are considered as serious
misconduct and may result in severe penalties.
Neither plagiarism (the act of taking and/or using the ideas, work, and/or writings of another person as
one's own) or cheating (an act of dishonesty with the intention of obtaining and/or using information in
a fraudulent manner) will be tolerated in this course. All instances of academic misconduct will be
responded to as specified in the Arkansas State University Student Handbook 2013-2014. Please see the
Student Handbook for detailed information on the academic misconduct policy at ASU, including
possible disciplinary actions and ways to avoid plagiarism.
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XI. Class Attendance Policy
Failing to regularly attend class sessions will have a negative impact on your ability to achieve a passing
grade. You responsible for all information presented in lectures and all assigned readings. If you miss a
day of lecture notes, it is your responsibility to obtain a copy from a classmate rather than the
instructor. Please see the Student Handbook for detailed information on the attendance policy at ASU.
It is the practice of Arkansas State University to allow students to participate in university sponsored
events, even when those events cause them to be absent from class. Students participating in university
sponsored events will be given reasonable opportunities to make up missed assignments. It is the
student’s responsibility to notify the instructor of an upcoming absence due to a university sponsored
event the first week of the semester. The student is responsible for all information presented in class
and all assigned readings.
XII. Accommodations
Students who require academic adjustments in the classroom or by way of the web due to a disability
must first register with ASU Disability Services. Following registration and within the first two weeks of
class, please contact me to discuss appropriate academic accommodations, technology requirements,
software and hardware specifics and requirements. Appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure
equal access to this course.
XIII. Class Schedule
Week Starting
Textbook Reading
Course Deadlines
August 19th
Chapter 1: Introducing Social Psychology
August 26th
Chapter 2: The Self in a Social World
Friday August 30th:
Writing Assignment 1 Drafts Due (Optional)
September 2nd
Chapter 3: Social Judgments & Beliefs
Monday September 2nd: Labor Day
September 9th
Chapter 4: Behavior & Attitudes
Monday September 9th:
Writing Assignment 1 Due
Friday September 13th:
Exam 1 Essay Questions Posted
September 16th
Chapter 7: Persuasion
September 23rd
Chapter 8: Group Influence
September 30th
Chapter 6: Conformity & Obedience
Friday September 20th:
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4)
Monday September 30th:
Writing Assignment 2 Drafts Due (Optional)
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Week Starting
Textbook Reading
Course Deadlines
October 7th
Chapter 9: Prejudice
Monday October 7th:
Writing Assignment 2 Due
October 14th
Chapter 10: Aggression
Friday October 18th:
Exam 2 Essay Questions Posted
October 21st
Chapter 11: Attraction
Friday October 25th:
Exam 2 (Chapters 6-10)
October 28th
Chapter 12: Helping
November 4th
Chapter 13: Conflict & Peacemaking
November 11th
Chapter 14: Social Psychology in the Clinic
Monday November 11th:
Writing Assignment 3 Drafts Due (Optional)
November 18th
Chapter 15: Social Psychology in Court
Monday November 18th:
Writing Assignment 3 Due
Friday November 22nd:
Exam 3 Essay Questions Posted
November 25th
November 25th – 29th: Fall Break
No Classes
December 2nd
Monday December 2nd:
Catch-up Day (if needed)
Thursday December 5th 12:30PM:
Exam 3 (Chapters 11-15)
December 9th
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