Social Psychology: Understanding Human B

This course introduces students to major psychological theories and research on human social behavior. We look at why humans often help each other but also why they hurt each other. Topics covered include empathy, prejudice, helping, compliance, bullying, conformity, and the development of personality. A variety of psychological methods for predicting and preventing anti-social behavior are discussed.

The course establishes a strong grounding in scientific principles and methodology. Students are encouraged to think about how empirical methods can be used to measure complex social phenomena, to recognize and appreciate experimental rigor, and ultimately to question common assumptions about human behavior found in ordinary discourse and the popular press.

Students typically spend a portion of each day in lecture and a portion in learning activities such as group work, discussion, and hands-on experimentation. Outside of class, in addition to doing assigned reading participants complete homework assignments in which they apply what they have learned to real-world social situations. For example, they observe helping behavior on campus, complete personality assessments, and survey their family and friends. The data they collect is be pooled, analyzed, and discussed by the whole class.