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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Social Psychology & Contemporary Issues
Module Code PSYC401 (ITS) / PSY1045 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Psychology
Module Co-ordinatorElizabeth Mc Loughlin
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

This module aims to extend students understanding of social psychology through its application to social problems facing modern society. It aims to explore current social problems such as crime, conflict and violence, the media and advertising through a social psychological lens and develop students understanding of social psychology as a mechanism for promoting social change.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of critical issues in contemporary social psychology
2. Identify and achieve familiarity with the social psychological perspective on human behaviour
3. Demonstrate advanced levels of explanation for some aspects of human social behaviour
4. Develop oral and written skills in the communication of social psychological concepts
5. Critically consider competing theoretical positions and take a well-reasoned position after careful research and analysis of salient academic material



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24In Class lectures
Tutorial4in person tutorials
Assignment Completion48Preparation for group work assessment preparation and delivery
Independent Study49Lecture review, exam preparation/independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Social psychology and contemporary issues
Applying a social psychological perspective to a number of contemporary issues

Social psychology of the environment
Emergence of environmental psychology Climate and human behaviour

Group processes in social psychology
Group behaviour and dynamics Group attitudes, norms and prejudices The social identity approach

Evolutionary perspectives on social psychology
Emergence of evolutionary psychology Relationships and human sexual behaviour Altruism and intergroup conflict

Applying social psychology in everyday life
E.g., the criminal justice system, media and advertising, the workplace

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment50% Examination Weight50%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group project Students will be required to produce a 2,500 word group position paper, supported by a 5 min video summary & Q&A wherein, they will have the opportunity to demonstrate the depth and breadth of their knowledge, as well as their understanding and critical analysis of key areas in social psychology. In addition, they are required to document and submit their 500 word group process reflection.50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Susan T Fiske: 2018, Social Beings: Core Motives in Social Psychology, 4th Edition, 4th, Wiley, 978-1-119-492
  • Fiske, S.: 0, Social cognition From brains to culture, Sage,
  • Aronson, Elliot, Aronson, Joshua: 0, The Social Animal, Worth, New York,
  • Smith, J. R., & Haslam, S. A.(eds.): 0, Social Psychology: Revisiting the classic studies, Sage Publications Ltd,
  • Hodgetts, Darrin and Stolte, Ottilie and Sonn, Christopher and Drew, Neil and Carr, Stuart and Nikora, Linda Waimarie: 2020, Social psychology and everyday life, Bloomsbury,
  • Baumeister, Roy F., and Brad J. Bushman.: 2020, Social psychology and human nature, Cengage Learning,
  • Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J.: 0, Advanced social psychology: The state of the science., Oxford: Oxford University Press.,
  • Linda Steg, Judith I. M. de Groot, (eds.): 0, Environmental Psychology: An Introduction, Wiley-Blackwell,
  • Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T.: 2011, The handbook of theories of social psychology., Sage., Los Angeles Sage.,
  • Kruglanski, A. W. & Higgins, E. T.: 0, Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles, New York: Guilford.,
  • Gough,B., Mc Fadden, M., & Mc Donald, M.: 0, Critical Social Psychology, Palgrave MacMillan,
  • edited by Susan T. Fiske, Daniel T. Gilbert, Gardner Lindzey: 2010, Handbook of social psychology, John Wiley, Hoboken, N.J., 9780470137482
Other Resources

65701, Podcast, Yarn Podcasting Ltd, 0, West Cork The Sophie Du Plantier Case,

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