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Psychology (PSYC) 379
Social Psychology

Revision 5 closed July 12, 2006, replaced by current version.

Delivery mode: Individualized study or grouped study. Online enhanced.

Credits: 3 - Social Science

Prerequisite: A 200-level psychology course is recommended.

Téluq equivalency: PSY 3001

Centre: Centre for Psychology

PSYC 379 has a Challenge for Credit option.

The course has a Web site that includes optional online materials, including online quizzes.

Overview

PSYC 379 is designed to provide students with a foundation in the knowledge of social psychology. The course is based on a scientific approach to social psychology. While it provides a survey of the whole field, it also highlights the centres of current action such as social cognition, and the application of social psychology to such fields as law and health.

Outline

Chapter 1: Introducing Social Psychology, and Research and Research Methods

Chapter 2: Social Perception and Cognition

Chapter 3: The Social Self

Chapter 4: Values and Attitudes

Chapter 5: Changing Attitudes

Chapter 6: Changing Behaviour

Chapter 7: Language and Communication

Chapter 8: Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships

Chapter 9: Prosocial Behaviour

Chapter 10: Cooperation and Conflict

Chapter 11: Aggression and Violence

Chapter 12: Social Categorization, Groups, and Leadership

Chapter 13: Prejudice, Discrimination, and Sexism

Chapter 15: Social Psychology of Justice and the Law

Chapter 16: Health and Illness

Evaluation

To receive credit for PSYC 379, you must complete course quizzes, a project, and an examination. You must achieve a composite course grade of at least “D” (50 percent) and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

4 Quizzes (5% each) Course Project Final Exam Total
20% 40% 40% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Alcock, J. E., Carment, D. W., & Sadava, S. W. (2001). A textbook of Social Psychology (5th ed.). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada Inc., Prentice Hall.

Collins, J. E., & Green, J. M. (2001). Study Guide to
accompany a textbook of social psychology
, 5th ed.
Scarborough, ON: Prentice Hall, Allyn and Bacon Canada.

Other materials

The course materials include an assignment booklet and a student manual.