SC213-5-SP-CO:
Social Psychology (Sociology): Self and Interaction
2019/20
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 13 January 2020
Friday 20 March 2020
15
24 May 2019
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC101, SC107
(none)
Social Psychology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of Sociology and Psychology, which is concerned with the interrelations among individual, groups, and society. More specifically, it studies how individuals interact with one another, the way individuals influence social groups and vice versa, as well as the dynamics of intergroup relations. The course will provide an introduction to a number of theories and themes in sociological social psychology that link the wider social structure with individual personality and conduct. Its aim is to provide an overview of the principle theoretical approaches to social psychology and how they may be applied to the understanding of social life.
The Spring term will be devoted to an examination of contemporary perspectives on social psychology. We will begin by examining theories of the self and what constitutes an 'identity.' We will then look at individual attitudes and how they and linked to behaviour, and the shortcuts people use to facilitate judgment of others in an increasingly complex world. We will look at contemporary views of emotion, and attraction and interpersonal relationships. We will then look at social influence, and what motivates people to be obedient and to conform to social norms. We will finish up the module by looking at problems associated with intergroup relationship such as stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and aggression, and what motivates people to be altruistic. Throughout Spring term, we will examine the ways in which quantitative methodology has been used to address issues in contemporary social psychology.
The Spring term will be devoted to an examination of the historical origins of social psychology. We will look at late 19th century and early 10th century theories of the ‘crowd’; 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. This section of the course will present an introduction to psychoanalysis, starting with Freud’s concept of the unconscious, the defenses operating within it and how dreams have been seen as a route to understanding the unconscious mind. We will then look at Kleinian object relations theory and how anxiety can drive human behaviour. We will explore how social situations can be studied empirically by using psychosocial methodologies including particular interviewing techniques and observation. The second half of the Spring term will focus on life-course psychology from childhood, to midlife, through old age and to death. We will look at stage models by Erikson, Levinson, Laslett, and Jung, and how they have been used to conceptualise and make sense of the aging process
We will end the term exploring abnormal psychology and how mental illness has been seen as a social construction, and group psychology that will look at conformity, obedience and group mentalities.
No additional information available.
1 lecture and 1 class per week
- Borch, Christian. (2012) The politics of crowds: an alternative history of sociology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Pick, Daniel. (1995) 'Freud's Group Psychology and the History of the Crowd', in History Workshop Journal. vol. 40 (1) , pp.39-62
- Hogg, Michael A.; Tindale, R. Scott. (2003) Blackwell handbook of social psychology: group processes, Malden, Mass: Blackwell Publishers.
- Eichenbaum, Luise; Orbach, Susie. (1985, c1983) Understanding women, Harmondsworth: Penguin.
- Fahs, Breanne. Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, US, Breanne.Fahs@asu.edu. (2012) 'Breaking body hair boundaries: Classroom exercises for challenging social constructions of the body and sexuality.', in Feminism & Psychology,. vol. 22 (4) , pp.482-506
- Pick, Daniel. (1989) Faces of degeneration: a European disorder, c.1848-c.1918, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Gilligan, Carol. Harvard U. (1979) 'Woman's Place in Man's Life Cycle.', in Harvard Educational Review,. vol. 49 (4) , pp.431-446
- Owens, Timothy J.; Robinson, Dawn T.; Smith-Lovin, Lynn. (1975-) 'Three faces of identity.', in Annual Review of Sociology., pp.477-499
- The Social Self by George Herbert Mead, https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/us/mead3.htm
- Eagly, Alice H. Purdue U, West LafayetteSteffen, Valerie J. (1984) 'Gender stereotypes stem from the distribution of women and men into social roles.', in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,. vol. 46 (4) , pp.735-754
- Berkowitz, Leonard. (1987-11-28) Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, V 20: Elsevier Science & Technology.
- Cialdini, Robert B. Arizona State U, TempeSchaller, MarkHoulihan, DonaldArps, KevinFultz, JimBeaman, Arthur L. (1987) 'Empathy-based helping: Is it selflessly or selfishly motivated?', in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,. vol. 52 (4) , pp.749-758
- Buss, David M. U Michigan, Ann Arbor, US. (1989) 'Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures.', in Behavioral and Brain Sciences,. vol. 12 (1) , pp.1-49
- Eagly, Alice H. Purdue U, West LafayetteSteffen, Valerie J. (1986) 'Gender and aggressive behavior: A meta-analytic review of the social psychological literature.', in Psychological Bulletin,. vol. 100 (3) , pp.309-330
- Cesar J. RebellonMichelle E. MariasseKaren T. Van GundyEllen S. Cohn. (2014) 'Rationalizing Delinquency: A Longitudinal Test of the Reciprocal Relationship Between Delinquent Attitudes and Behavior', in Social Psychology. vol. 77 (4) , pp.361-386
- Milgram, Stanley. (2010, c2004) Obedience to authority: an experimental view, London: Pinter & Martin.
- Harré, Rom. (2006) Key thinkers in psychology, London: SAGE.
- Turner, Jonathan H.; Stets, Jan E. (2006-08) 'Sociological Theories of Human Emotions', in Annual Review of Sociology. vol. 32 (1) , pp.25-52
- Plummer, Ken. (2010-05) 'Generational Sexualities, Subterranean Traditions, and the Hauntings of the Sexual World: Some Preliminary Remarks', in Symbolic Interaction. vol. 33 (2) , pp.163-190
- Kimberlé Crenshaw on intersectionality: “I wanted to come up with an everyday metaphor that anyone could use”, https://www.newstatesman.com/lifestyle/2014/04/kimberl-crenshaw-intersectionality-i-wanted-come-everyday-metaphor-anyone-could
- Frosh, Stephen. (c2012) A brief introduction to psychoanalytic theory, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Amos TverskyDaniel Kahneman. (4157) 'Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases', in Judgment under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. vol. 185 (4157) , pp.1124-1131
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 |
| Exam |
Main exam: 24hr during Summer (Main Period)
|
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 Jennifer Fleetwood
Goldsmiths, University of London
Senior Lecturer in Criminology
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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