In this module the learner will be introduced to key issues and debates in social psychology. Research methodologies specific to social psychology will be examined and their application and limitations will be explored – particularly in relation to community development and youth work. The module will focus on social cognition and social perception as a basis for better understanding how our thoughts and behaviours are influenced, often automatically, by social interactions. The key themes to be explored are aggression, prosocial behaviour and social influence. Social psychological theory will be applied at various relevant levels of analysis from minimal groups, to community and cultural settings.
Social cognition
Functions of schema, cognitive scripts and prototypes, prejudice and discrimination, heuristics, biases and errors related to social cognition, relevance to community development and youth work.
Social perception
Attributional processes, attributional biases, culture and attribution,perception of self (e.g. actual self v's ideal self), self and attribution (e.g. cause and control, self-esteem).
Aggression and Conflict
Biological/drive theories, social learning, general aggression model, factors influencing aggression (e.g. individual differences, personality, environment), bullying, dealing with aggression.
Pro-Social Behaviour and Affiliation
Theories to explain helping behaviour, factors influencing pro-social behaviour (e.g. bystander effects), altruism, empathy.
Social Influence
Conformity, social roles, obedience.
Attitude Development
Attitudes, the formation of attitudes, attitude change, persuasion and advertising (e.g. the link to peer pressure and social change), cognitive dissonance and behaviour change.
Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination
Development of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, relevance to working with marginalised groups, psychological perspectives and recent research, ways to overcome and work with groups and individuals (eg, contact hypothesis/jigsaw approach, cognitive restructuring).
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |
| Formal Examination | 60 |