Psychology 2070B-001

Social Psychology

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

 

Revised Jan 5, 2022

WESTERN UNIVERSITY

LONDON               CANADA

Department of Psychology

Winter 2022

 

Psychology 2070B    Section 001

Social Psychology

 

 

An introduction to the theories, methods, findings, and problems encountered in the study of people as social beings.

Antirequisites: Psychology 2720A/B, 2780E and the former Psychology 170

Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.

 

3 lecture hours, 0.5 course

 

2.0 COURSE INFORMATION

 

Instructor:                                                         Dr. Graeme Haynes            

Office Hours:                                                     Mon., 1:00 – 2:00 P.M., in SSC 7440 (and on-line via Zoom)          

Email:                                                               ghaynes@uwo.ca                           

 

Teaching assistant:                                          Rebecca Koessler               

Office Hours:                                                                                     

Email:                                                               rkoessle@uwo.ca   

 

Time and Location of Classes:                        Thurs., 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M., HSB 40***

 

***Course delivery with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic

Although the intent is for this course to be delivered in-person, the changing COVID-19 landscape may necessitate some or all of the course to be delivered online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience).  The grading scheme will not change.  Any assessments affected will be conducted online as determined by the course instructor.

 

When deemed necessary, tests and examinations in this course will be conducted using a remote proctoring service.  By taking this course, you are consenting to the use of this software and acknowledge that you will be required to provide personal information (including some biometric data) and the session will be recorded.  Completion of this course will require you to have a reliable internet connection and a device that meets the technical requirements for this service.  More information about this remote proctoring service, including technical requirements, is available on Western’s Remote Proctoring website at: https://remoteproctoring.uwo.ca

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.

 

3.0 TEXTBOOK

Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2019). Social Psychology, Fifth Edition. New York: Norton.

 

Note: If you use an older version of the textbook, although the general topic areas are the same, be aware that there may be some content from the newer version tested on the exams that does not appear in the older version.

 

4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

This course provides a broad introduction to theories and findings related to the scientific study of human social behavior. By the end of this course, you should be able to:

 

  • Understand several ways in which social psychological processes occur in daily life, such as how people perceive themselves and others and how they interact with the surrounding environment,

 

  • Examine social psychology from an empirically-based, scholarly perspective, rather than from an intuitive or speculative perspective based solely on personal experience and observations,

 

  • Explain the scientific study of social psychology to a non-academic/non-psychologist, and

 

  • Evaluate social psychological situations and make predictions about behavior.

 

4.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge.

identify key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in social psychology

Assigned readings, supplementary slideshows, and tutorials

Exams

Knowledge of Methodologies.

Can summarize their knowledge of psychological theories, empirical findings, and research methods involved in Social Psychology.

Assigned readings,     supplementary slideshows, and tutorials

Exams

Application of Knowledge.

apply psychological principles to
understanding everyday social problems

Assigned readings,     supplementary slideshows, and tutorials

Exams

 

 

 

 

4.2 LECTURES & CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

 

Lectures are intended to complement the textbook.  Thus, I will present some material that is not in the book, and will be tested on the exams.  Class attendance will significantly increase how much you get out of this course.  I post the lecture slides with main points on them in advance of class, and it is expected that you will write down additional points and examples that I provide during class.  If you miss class and want to obtain a more detailed set of notes than what is on the slides, you should ask a classmate to borrow their notes.  Please note that I will not be recording lectures (either virtual lectures or in-person lectures) for future viewing.   

 

I expect that each of you will respect your classmates and me by arriving to class on time, ready to listen and participate.  Please turn off your cell phone ringers when you arrive to class, and be sure to put away all other personal devices (e.g., iPods). Devoting class time to non-academic activities such as watching videos or listening to music is disruptive and creates a negative impression of the students engaging in such activities.

 

In addition, a growing research literature strongly demonstrates that inappropriate use of technologies during classes negatively impacts students’ ability to learn material. As such, students are kindly requested to turn off their device WiFi during lecture. Give yourself the best chance to do well and to be engaged!

 

In a class this large, some students will be unaware that their private conversations are distracting to other students.  If you feel that students are distracting your attention from the material, then you should ask them to be quiet.  If you feel uncomfortable doing this (or if the problem persists), then please see me and I will make an announcement to the class and/or arrange to meet privately with the students.

 

During class, you are encouraged to ask questions about concepts that are unclear; I’m also happy to answer questions during the 5 minute break or at the end of the lecture. Outside of class, I encourage you to meet with me during office hours (or set an appointment) to discuss any questions or concerns. E-mail is the best way to contact me outside of class. 

 

When sending me an email, please make sure to use proper email etiquette (e.g., start with a greeting), and include the following information: your name, the course you are in (I’m teaching several different courses this semester), and your question.

 

Sample email:

 

Hi Prof. Haynes,

 

This is [insert name here] from your Psychology 2070B class.  After reading the lecture slides on [insert topic here], I was wondering if you could explain [insert concept here] in greater detail?

 

Sincerely,

 

[Name]

 

If you adhere to these guidelines, I promise to reply to all emails within 24 hours.

 

 

5.0 EVALUATION

 

Note: In the event of a return to a pandemic lockdown situation, there will not be any changes made to the components listed below.

 

Exams (30%, 30%, and 40%)

 

For the exams, you are responsible for material assigned in the textbook, as well as material covered in supplementary online lectures. 

 

Each exam is non-cumulative, and will consist of multiple choice or true/false questions.

 

The first midterm exam, covering material from Chapter 1-5, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 3rd, from 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

 

The second midterm exam, covering material from Chapter 7-9, will take place on Thursday, Mar. 10th, from 10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

 

The final examination, covering material from Chapter 10-14, will take place during the April exam period (Apr. 10 –30, specific time TBA).  

 

OPTIONAL ESSAY: Students can choose to write a 4-page assignment, which will be worth 10% of their final grade.  For students who choose to write an essay, the midterm tests will be worth 25% and 25% (instead of 30% and 30%).  These papers will be graded by the T.A., and you can make an appointment with the T.A. to discuss the paper if you wish.

 

The essay should be a maximum of 1200 words (4 double-spaced pages) of text, plus a title page (name, student number, topic/title) and a references page. 

Please submit the paper to the Dropbox on OWL using one of these file types:  Word, PDF, or RTF.

Your essay must describe in your own words one of the key terms from the textbook listed below.  Explain the concept and why it is important.  Describe one experiment that illustrated the concept/principle.  This experiment should NOT be one that is described in the textbook or presented in class.  Also, you must provide one example of the concept in real life, taken from your own experiences.  This does not necessarily mean that you were personally involved, but it must be from your life.  For example, the event might have involved someone in your family or a friend.  You must explain how your example illustrates the concept.  Why is your example a good one?  Try to choose an experience that was interesting or significant, as opposed to a mundane, every-day event.

At the end of the paper, you should list all articles or chapters that you have cited in the paper.  Use the same style as the references at the back of the textbook (i.e., APA format). 

Marks will be based on the clarity and accuracy of the explanation of the concept and supporting experiment, the appropriateness and creativity of the chosen real life example, and the quality of writing.  The T.A. will mark these essays and can be consulted for guidance. 

You must submit an electronic copy of your assignment to TurnItIn.com (via the Dropbox) at the course website on OWL.  Essays can be submitted anytime, but the last date for submission is Thursday, March 31st.  Assignments submitted after this date will be assessed a late penalty of 10% per day.

 

Possible topics/concepts (choose 1):

Availability heuristic

Benevolent sexism

Correspondence bias

Counterfactual thoughts

Deindividuation

Effort justification

Evaluative conditioning

False consensus effect

Gender-based stereotyping

Hindsight bias

Illusory correlation

Impression management

Mere exposure effect

Modern racism

Overjustification effect

Planning fallacy

Self-serving judgments

Social loafing

 

The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:

70%   1000-level and 2000-level courses
72%   2100-2990 level courses
75%   3000-level courses
80%   4000-level courses

 

The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf)

 

A+       90-100            One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level

A          80-89              Superior work that is clearly above average

B          70-79              Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory

C          60-69              Competent work, meeting requirements

D         50-59              Fair work, minimally acceptable

F          below 50        Fail

 

Note that in the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.

 

To ensure fairness, please be aware that final grades in this course are based exclusively on students’ performance on the exams (and optional assignment). None of these components may be rewritten, nor will they be reweighted in calculating final grades.

 

Policy on Grade Rounding: Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered. To maximize your grade, do your best on each and every assessment within the course.

 

5.1 POLICY ON MISSING COURSEWORK

 

Make-Up Exams:  Tests must be written on the scheduled dates unless you have a legitimate excuse recognized by the university administration.  Valid reasons include medical or compassionate reasons, internet access issues (in the case that exams are on-line), and religious holidays, and must be substantiated by proper documentation (e.g., a medical certificate, which will be verified by the Office of the Dean).  You may use the Self-Reported Absence System (SRAS) for a maximum of two short-term absences affecting course components worth 30% or less of the overall course grade (with the exception of the final exam).  A student who misses a regularly scheduled exam for other reasons, or who cannot justify a claim, will be assigned a 0 for the exam.  Students with approved absences (or who use Self-Reported Absences) for either midterm must write a makeup exam, which will be scheduled by your prof or T.A.  

 

***Please refer to Section 11.0 for the full policy regarding make-up exams.***

 

6.0 TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE

 

Date

Material covered

Value

Midterm #1

Thurs. Feb. 3, 10:30 A.M.

Chapters 1-5*

30%

Midterm #2

Thurs. Mar. 10, 10:30 A.M.

Chapters 7-9*

30%

Final exams

Apr. 10 – 30 (Time TBA)

Chapters 10-14*

40%

            *and all related supplementary material

 

Note 1:  There will be no lecture after the exams.

 

Note 2:  You must go to your assigned room!  Room assignments will be announced in class, and posted on the course website a few days before each exam. Please do not contact the department secretaries for this information!!

Note 3:  Electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, dictionaries, ipods/earbuds) are NOT permitted during exams. Please leave these devices at home or in your book bag.

 

  • CLASS SCHEDULE

 

Date

Topic

Read

Jan. 13

Introducing Social Psychology

Chapter 1 & 2

Jan. 20

The Social Self 

Chapter 3

Jan. 27

Social Cognition &

Social Attribution 

Chapter 4 & 5

Feb. 3

Midterm #1

Chapter 1-5

Feb. 10

Attitudes & Attitude Change

Chapter 7

Feb. 17

Persuasion

Chapter 8

Feb. 24

Winter Reading Week –

no class

 

Mar. 3

Social Influence

Chapter 9

Mar. 10

Midterm #2

Chapter 7-9

Mar. 17

Interpersonal Attraction & Relationships

Chapter 10

Mar. 24

Prejudice

Chapter 11

Mar. 31

Group Processes; Aggression

 

Optional essay due on OWL by 11:59 P.M.

Chapter

12 & 13

Apr. 7

Prosocial Behaviour

Chapter 14

Apr. 10-30

FINAL EXAM

Chapter

10-14

 

 

8.0 Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.

 

With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation, as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.

 

 

9.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

 

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

 

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offences. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).

 

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

 

In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.

 

Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.

 

10.0    POLICY ON THE USE OF EXAM PROCTORING SOFTWARE

 

When examinations and tests cannot be given in person (e.g., in courses coded as Distance Studies; in the event of a lockdown order), they may be conducted using either a monitoring platform such as Zoom or a remote proctoring service, such as Proctorio. If Zoom is used for exam invigilation, you will be required to keep your camera on for the entire session, hold up your student card for identification purposes, and share your screen with the invigilator if asked to do so at any time during the exam. The exam session using Zoom will not be recorded.*

If a remote proctoring service is used, the service will require you to provide personal information (including some biometric data). The session will be recorded. The instructor will alert you to the use of this software as close as possible to the start of the term, however, in the event that in-person exams are unexpectedly canceled, you may only be given notice of the use of a proctoring service a short time in advance. More information about remote proctoring is available in the Online Proctoring Guidelines. Please ensure you are familiar with any proctoring service’s technical requirements before the exam. Additional guidance is available at the following link: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/onlineproctorguidelines.pdf

 

* Please note that Zoom servers are located outside Canada. If you would prefer to use only your first name or a nickname to login to Zoom, please provide this information to the instructor in advance of the test or examination. See this link for technical requirements: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us  

 

11.0    POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES

 

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
  2. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
  • For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

 

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
  • must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence

 

Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.

 

12.0    Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown: IN-Person & Blended classes

 

In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence or any other event that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online, as determined by the course instructor.

 

13.0    STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE

 

In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:

  • please “arrive” to class on time
  • please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
  • please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
  • to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
  • In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
  • In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
  • Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting

 

The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:

  • If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
  • Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
  • Self-identify when speaking.
  • Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).

 

General considerations of “netiquette”:

  • Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
  • Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
  • Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
  • Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.

 

Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.

 

14.0    OTHER INFORMATION

 

Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca 

 

Student Development Services: www.sdc.uwo.ca

 

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:

http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html

 

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct

- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations

- Policy on Attendance

- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines

- Policy for Assignments

- Short Absences

- Extended Absences

- Documentation

- Academic Concerns

- 2021-2022 Calendar References

 

If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf

Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).

 

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.

 

Policy on the Recording of Synchronous Sessions: Some or all of the remote learning sessions for this course (if scheduled) may be recorded. The data captured during these recordings may include your image, voice recordings, chat logs and personal identifiers (name displayed on the screen). The recordings will be used for educational purposes related to this course, including evaluations. The recordings may be disclosed to other individuals participating in the course for their private or group study purposes. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns related to session recordings. Participants in this course are not permitted to privately record the sessions, except where recording is an approved accommodation, or the student has the prior written permission of the instructor.