Learning objectives
The course aims to promote theoretical knowledge related to the analysis of the processes implied in the articulation of psychological and social worlds and to the understanding of the social psychological issues. The course has also the purpose to foster students’ independent judgment with respect to the theoretical issues studied and improve their ability to communicate about the topics they have investigated and learned.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The first set of lessons will cover the epistemological, theoretical and methodological aspects of social psychology.
In the second part of the course the processes of social perception, cognition and judgment and the self and identity dynamics will be analyzed.
The third part of the lessons will
explore the dynamics related to interpersonal relationships, the issues of aggression and altruism, intergroup relations, social influence and social representations.
Full programme
The course aims at highlighting some key answers that social psychology
has provided with respect to the following questions:
How do people make a judgment about social phenomena (attitudes,
stereotypes, schemas)?
- How do people form their own impressions of others and explain others’ behavior? (naive theories, social perception, attribution)
- How do people form a self-image (self concept)?
- How do people represent themselves and others as part of social
categories and groups (social identity, groups, and intergroup relations)?
- How do people change their behavior in the presence of others?
(aggression, altruism)
- How do people change opinions, images and representations in the
presence of others? (persuasion, social influence)
- How do people form a shared image of social objects? (Social representations)
Bibliography
1) Palmonari, A., Cavazza, N., Rubini, M. (2012). Psicologia sociale.2° Ed. Bologna: Il Mulino.
2) Castelli, L. (2004), Psicologia sociale cognitiva, Editori Laterza, RomaBari.
3) Monacelli N. (2005). Rappresentazioni sociali. Parma: Uninova
Teaching methods
Lectures and individual study will be proposed in order to facilitate the acquisition of theoretical knowledge. Exercises, seminars will be offered to encourage independent judgment and communication skills.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam includes a written tests with multiple choice closed questions specifically designed to assess the knowledge and skills acquired.
The oral examination will be optional for those who pass the written with at least 18/30. The oral examination will in particular assess the independence of judgment and the ability to communicate.
Other information
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