Social Psychology
Unit code: LSY307
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester |
| Contact hours | 36 hours over the teaching period (normally 3 hours per week) |
| Campus | Lilydale |
| Prerequisites | And one of |
Related course(s)
*From July, 2013 this unit will be taught at the Hawthorn Campus
This is a prescribed unit of study in the Social Science Major/s. It may also be undertaken as a unit of study in any other Swinburne degree program, subject to the prerequisite and degree requirements.
Aims and objectives
This unit involves the scientific study of behaviour in a social context. The aim is to introduce students to the key theories and research methods used by social psychologists to explain and predict people's thoughts, feelings and actions in social situations.
Teaching methods
Units will be taught in a variety of modes including face to face, online, distance and blended modes. Delivery of this unit may be through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratories, seminars and online.
Generic skills outcomes
This unit will provide discipline-based knowledge and professional capabilities and experiences contributing to students progress in attaining generic skills such as:
• Teamwork skills:
working in teams and understanding themselves and others
• Analysis skills and problem solving skills:
research skills
understanding of scientific methods
statistical analysis and problem solving skills
• Ability to think in theoretical terms and to critically evaluate research
• An appreciation of the historical development of ideas and of research ethics
• Communication skills: experience in written communication and public speaking
• Ability to work independently
• Teamwork skills:
working in teams and understanding themselves and others
• Analysis skills and problem solving skills:
research skills
understanding of scientific methods
statistical analysis and problem solving skills
• Ability to think in theoretical terms and to critically evaluate research
• An appreciation of the historical development of ideas and of research ethics
• Communication skills: experience in written communication and public speaking
• Ability to work independently
Content
The unit covers the history, methods and ethics of social psychology, the areas of social cognition, attributions, attitudes, prejudice and stereotypes, social influence, attraction, relationships and group processes. Some areas to which social psychological knowledge is often applied, such as culture, health and law, are also covered.
