This minor considers the psychological processes involved in relations between groups, covering the basic topics in social psychology such as social influences on attitudes and behaviour, attitude change, social cognition, cooperation and conflict. A focus will also include the contribution that psychology can make to the study of crime. Topics covered include analysis of the social psychology of groups, social identity, stereotyping, cooperation, leadership, power, social influence, collective action, negotiation and communication. Laboratory classes are interactive and include practical and theoretical considerations of issues in social psychology and society.
Learning Outcomes
Students who have completed the Social Psychology minor will be able to:
- Explain major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Differentiate theoretical and empirical frameworks that have defined and shaped the field.
- Define key concepts that characterise psychology as a field of scientific inquiry as well as things that differentiate it from other related disciplines.
- Relate how social (eg environmental/cultural), and biological (genes, hormones) factors jointly shape human behavior.
- Apply basic research methods in psychology to investigate psychological questions and to research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Use critical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
- Identify relevant psychological mechanisms/issues and apply to real world or other contexts.
- Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organisational issues.
- Critically analyse data and research, including methodology, results and conclusions.
- Articulate some of the central questions and issues in contemporary psychology.
- Critically evaluate the presentation of scientific ideas and research in the popular media.
- Identify and critically evaluate appropriate disciplinary research sources
- Evaluate information from a statistical perspective drawing on basic statistical concepts.
- Develop competence in interpreting graphical data to understand what is being compared/manipulated (independent variables) and what is being measured (dependent variables).
- Clearly communicate psychological processes and principles to both science literate and non science literate audiences.
- Adapt the collaborative and independent experiences of psychology laboratory, project and course work to other contexts.
- Identify and reflect on the values that underpin the discipline of psychology and its practice.
Other Information
Advice to Students
What 1st year courses should you enrol in? Some of these subjects require 1st year prerequisites, and both PSYC1003 and PSYC1004 are highly recommended for all 2000 and 3000 level psychology courses.
Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Social Psychology minor.
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Requirements
24 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC1004 | Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context | 6 |
| PSYC2001 | Social Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC2011 | Perspectives on Crime from Psychology and Criminology | 6 |
| PSYC3002 | The Social Psychology of Groups Processes and Social Change | 6 |
