Social Behaviour
Full course description
How come we evaluate our own group more positively than other groups? When do we perform better - with others or by ourselves? Does altruism exist or is helpful behaviour always motivated by egoistic reasons? How can we change the negative attitudes towards blood donation? Social psychologists have studied such questions. Social psychology uses scientific methods to study the way in which our thoughts, feelings and behaviour are influenced by others. During the course Social Behaviour, students receive an introduction to the classical themes within social psychology, based on nine problems. These themes are group processes, stereotypes and prejudices, social influence, attitudes, attributions, the self, social cognition, aggression, pro-social behaviour, and affiliation and attraction. Attention is not limited solely to intrapersonal and interpersonal processes; extensive consideration will also be given to the subject of group processes.
The corresponding practical for this course is: Social Networks
Course objectives
Students:
- can provide definitions of terminology used in social psychology, such as group processes, stereotypes and prejudices, social influence, attitudes, attributions, the self, social cognition, aggression, prosocial behaviour, affiliation, and attraction;
- can explain these terms because they are familiar with classic and recent social-psychological theories and insights;
- can name, analyse, and evaluate research methods in social psychology
- understand intercultural differences and limitations of psychological theory and its application.