SC213-5-AU-CO:
Social Psychology (Sociology): Crowd Psychology and the ‘Psychosocial’
2025/26
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
15 April 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC101, SC107
(none)
BA L3C8 Criminology with Social Psychology,
BA L3H8 Criminology with Social Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BA LHC8 Criminology with Social Psychology (Including Year Abroad),
BA CL83 Sociology with Social Psychology,
BA CL93 Sociology with Social Psychology (Including Placement Year),
BA CLV3 Sociology with Social Psychology (Including Year Abroad)
This module will explore the historical origins of social psychology, focusing on key developments from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We will examine theories of the 'crowd,' 'group,' and 'imitation,' as well as the emergence of psychoanalysis and the implications of Freudian and post-Freudian thought on social psychology.
The module will also explore socio-cultural approaches to psychoanalysis and how these can be applied in contemporary empirical sociological research. Following this, we will address criticisms of psychoanalysis, particularly in relation to gender, and consider the debates that have arisen in this context. The latter part of the term will focus on works influenced by Freudian ideas, such as the study of the Authoritarian Personality and the work of Frantz Fanon. Finally, we will examine the impact of symbolic interactionism and intersectionality on social psychological thought, and especially on life-course sociology.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide an overview of the theoretical perspectives, classical and contemporary theories, and research in sociological social psychology, critical social psychology, and psycho-social studies.
- To foster an awareness of the current issues and debates within the field.
- To explore how the theoretical perspectives and research methods in social psychology may be applied to the study of social life.
- To develop presentational and critical writing skills.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand how social psychology has developed as a discipline.
- Understand and reflect upon how social psychological theories can be applied to real-life social situations and human behaviour.
- Reflect upon how social psychology can be used to understand everyday life, as well as social and political events
The first part of the Autumn term will be devoted to an examination of the historical origins of social psychology. We will look at late 19th century and early 20th century theories of the ‘crowd’, 'group', and 'imitation'; the emergence of psychoanalysis and the implications of Freudian and post-Freudian theory on social psychology; as well as on the socio-cultural approaches to psychoanalysis, and how they can be practically applied in empirical sociological research today. We will then turn to discuss criticisms and debates over psychoanalysis and gender. The next section of the term will focus on work that have been influenced by Freudian ideas such as the Authoritarian Personality and the work of Fanon. We will also consider the influence of symbolic interactionism and intersectionality.
This module will be delivered via:
- A weekly two-hour seminar
-
Moscovici, S. (1986) 'The Discovery of the Masses', in Changing Conceptions of Crowd Mind and Behavior. New York, NY: Springer, pp. 5–25.
-
Borch, C. (2012)
The politics of crowds: an alternative history of sociology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511842160.
-
Miller, V. and Hayward, K.J. (2019) 'Corrigendum to: “I did my bit”: Terrorism, Tarde and the Vehicle Ramming Attack as an Imitative Event',
The British Journal of Criminology, 59(1), pp. 1–23. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azy017.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1: Essay (1500 words) |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2: Essay (1500 words) |
|
50% |
Additional coursework information
- Assessment details can be found on Moodle.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Shaul Bar Haim, email: sbarhaim@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Laurie James-Hawkins, email: laurie.hawkins@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Shaul Bar Haim and Dr Laurie James-Hawkins
Jane Harper, Student Administrator, Telephone: 01206 873052
E-mail: socugrad@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Emily Gray
University of Warwick
Assistant Professor of Criminology
Available via Moodle
Of 38 hours, 38 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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