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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Social Psychology: From Theory to Translation
Module Code PSY1058 (ITS: PSYC503)
Faculty Psychology School Science & Health
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module aims to support students understanding of social psychology through its application to social problems facing modern society. Utilising both philosophical and theoretical frameworks, 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 clear knowledge and understanding of critical issues in contemporary social psychology
2. Understand and achieve familiarity with the social psychological perspective on human behaviour and how it relates to cognate areas
3. Evaluate advanced levels of explanation for some aspects of human social behaviour
4. Critically consider competing theoretical positions and take a well-reasoned position after careful research and analysis of salient academic material
5. Integrate knowledge on broad themes and communicate same in a clear, concise and scholarly manner by means of a formal written report that follows the accepted conventions of the discipline.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Online activity20Asynchronous lectures and other content
Directed learning10Synchronous online discussions
Tutorial2Online based tutorials
Independent Study46Lecture review and preparation/independent learning
Independent Study47Independent assessment preparation
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN11494Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorMaggie BrennanModule TeacherSimon Dunne
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentDrawing on the extant literature, students will be required to prepare a short critique on a salient social psychological issue that requires demonstration of their mastery of core theoretical and philosophical knowledge.40%n/a
Essayn/a60%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

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: from Theory to Translation
The key concepts and methods used in social psychology

Attitudes and behaviour

Social influence

Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination
How are these affecting contemporary Ireland and the wider world; reduction strategies

Attraction and Relationships
How we form, maintain or end different types of relationships

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

The social identity approach

Aggression, interpersonal and inter-group conflict

Prosocial behavior

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

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

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • David G. Myers, Jean M. Twenge: 0, Social Psychology, McGraw-Hill Education, New York,
  • Michael A. Hogg,Graham M. Vaughan: 0, Social Psychology, Pearson, Harlow, England,
  • Aronson, Elliot, Aronson, Joshua: 0, The Social Animal, Worth Publishers, New York, US,
  • Fiske, S: 0, Social beings: Core motives in social psychology, Wiley, New York, NY,
  • Smith, J. R., & Haslam, S. A.: 0, Social Psychology: Revisiting the classic studies, Sage Publications Ltd,
  • Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J. (Eds.).: 0, Advanced Social Psychology: The State of the Science, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
  • Kruglanski, A. W. & Higgins, E. T. (Eds.).: 0, Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles, Guiford, New York, US,
  • Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T. (Eds.).: 0, The Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology, SAGE, LA, US,
  • Linda Steg, Judith I. M. de Groot, (eds.): 0, Environmental Psychology: An Introduction,, Wiley-Blackwell,


Articles:
  • 0: British Journal of Social Psychology, 519220, 1
  • European Journal of Social Psychology: 519221, 1,
  • 519222: 1, 0, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
  • 1: 0, Personality and Social Psychology Review,
  • 0: Social Psychological and Personality Science, 519225, 1
  • Basic and Applied Social Psychology: 519226, 1,
  • 519227: 1, 0, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology,
  • 1: 0, Culture & Psychology,
  • 0: Journal of Environmental Psychology, 519230, 1
  • Environment & Behaviour: 519231, 1,
  • 519232: 1, 0, Group Process & Intergroup Relations,
  • 1: 0, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology,
  • 0: Journal of Health & Social Behaviour,
Other Resources

None

<< Back to Module List View 2024/25 Module Record for PSYC503