Social Psychology Psy 360 Winter 1997

Instructor: John Edwards Office: Moreland Hall 134 Phone: 737-1370

Office hours: Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-2, or by appointment

Date Topic Reading

TUE 1/7 INTRODUCTION

THU 1/9 THEORY & METHODS CH 1

TUE 1/14 THEORY & METHOD

THU 1/16 SOCIAL COGNITION CH 2, 3

TUE 1/21 SOCIAL COGNITION

THU 1/23 ATTRIBUTION CH 4

TUE 1/28 ATTRIBUTION

THU 1/30 ATTITUDES CH 6

TUE 2/4 MIDTERM # 1

THU 2/6 PERSUASION CH 7

TUE 2/11 SOCIAL INFLUENCE CH 11 and pp. 559-567

THU 2/13 GROUP DYNAMICS CH 15

TUE 2/18 SELF CH 5

THU 2/20 STEREOTYPES/PREJUDICE CH 8

TUE 2/25 STEREOTYPES/PREJUDICE

THU 2/27 MIDTERM # 2

TUE 3/4 AGGRESSION CH 13

THU 3/6 ALTRUISM CH 12

TUE 3/11 ATTRACTION CH 9

THU 3/13 CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS CH 10

MON 3/17 FINAL EXAM - - - 6 pm

TEXT: Lord, C. G. (1997). Social Psychology. Fort Worth:Harcourt Brace.

COURSE GOALS: Provide an overview of scientific theory and research in the major topics of social psychology. Students should gain an understanding of the powerful social influences on their own and others' behavior in ordinary situations.

COURSE FORMAT: The work of the course involves two 75-minute tests and a final exam. Class meetings will involve lecture and discussion. Students are encouraged to bring up questions, comments, or personal experiences relevant to course material during class. Some material will be covered in class that is not covered in the assigned text and vice/versa.

COMPLETION OF COURSE WORK: To receive a non-failing grade, a student must complete at least one of the tests and the final exam. However, failure to complete a test results in a zero for that test, which would likely result in a failure anyway. In other words, completion of both of the tests & the exam does not guarantee a passing grade, but failure to take on of the tests or the exam does guarantee a failing grade.

Make-up exams are rarely given and tend to be difficult. DOCUMENTED problems should be discussed with the instructor PRIOR to the test, or, in the extremely rare case of an emergency which prevents contacting the instructor prior to the test, as soon as possible. I intend to be quite strict about this. Note that having other assignments, tests, or exams due, friends in town, hangovers and the like do not constitute acceptible excuses, neither for missing a test or the exam nor for rescheduling a test or the exam.

GRADING: The final grade is based on 240 total possible points: 70 for each of the two tests and 100 for the final exam.

Grade distributions will be based upon the performance of all the students in the class (i.e., grades are curved). The class average grade will be equivalent to a B- (that is, a person whose point total is at or close to the class average will get a B- for the class). Grades above the class average will be equivalent to a B or better; grades below the class average will equivalent to a C+ or worse.

CLASS ATTENDENCE: Class attendence is the student's responsibility. I generally don't take roll. However, students are responsible for everything covered in class. Therefore, I strongly advise class attendence. If you have to miss a class, be sure to get the notes from another class member. This includes information about the tests or exam. Please help each other out!

MIDTERMS & EXAM: Bring a scantron sheet and a #2 pencil to both midterms & the exam.