Psychology 2720A 001
Introduction to 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.
Introduction to Social Psychology
Psychology 2720A 001
Welcome to Psych 2720A!
Please read and keep this course outline handy, because it is an official document that contains important course information.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the theories, findings, methods, and problems encountered in the study of people as social beings. Emphasis will be placed on experimental research, conducted both in the laboratory and in the field. Content areas include: attitudes and social cognition, social interaction and influence, group processes and applications of social psychology.
Antirequisites: Psychology 2070A/B, Psychology 2780E, the former Psychology 2712F/G
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.
Prerequisite: At least 60% in a 1000-level Psychology course.
Two lecture hours and one tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Hiten Dave, MSc.
Office: SSC 9244
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: hdave7@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: Rebecca (Becca) Koessler (in charge of tutorial sections 002 and 003)
Office: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
Email: rkoessle@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: Parisa Chavoshi (in charge of tutorial sections 004 and 005)
Office: TBA
Office Hours: TBA
Email: pchavos@uwo.ca
Course Delivery Method: In-Person
Time and Location of Classes: Tuesdays, 11:30 am to 01:30 pm; SH-3345 (Somerville House)
Time and Location of Classes: Please check to confirm your section time and location
- Tutorial Section 002: Wednesdays, 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, UCC-67 (University Community College)
- Tutorial Section 003: Wednesdays, 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm, UCC-67
- Tutorial Section 004: Thursdays, 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, UCC-63
- Tutorial Section 005: Thursdays, 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, UCC-65
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, there are several resources here at Western to assist you. Please visit: https://www.uwo.ca/health/ for more information on these resources and on mental health.
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 519-661-2111 ext. 82147 for any specific questions regarding an accommodation.
Course Website
News and course updates will be posted on Western’s OWL system (http://owl.uwo.ca). This is the primary method by which information will be disseminated to all students in the class, so you are responsible for checking OWL on a frequent basis.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2019). Social Psychology, Fifth Edition. New York: Norton.
This book is available online via the bookstore at: https://bookstore.uwo.ca/textbook-search?campus=UWO&term=W2021A&courses%5B0%5D=001_UW/PSY2720A
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, we will be examining the theories, methods, and key research findings in the area of personality psychology.
4.1 Teaching Approach
Learning is a collaborative and two-way process, and I hope to use this as a guiding philosophy for my teaching approach in this course. We are fortunate to be able to hold in-person classes this semester, and at the risk of suddenly having to go online again, we should make the most of this. I will do my best to encourage active and participatory learning within the boundaries of our course’s format. One of the strategies to achieve this via interactive learning, both during lecture and in tutorials. This includes the use of various learning tools I will be trying out over the semester. I would also love it if questions and comments are interspersed throughout the lectures, as this can help to enhance our learning. Hopefully we can all do our part to foster an engaged and empathic classroom environment for everyone.
4.2 Learning Tips
Below are some suggestions for scholastic behaviour that will help you achieve the most from this course. It is compiled based on evidence from educational psychology research, as well as my own undergraduate experience.
- Stay up to date with course material by doing the readings in advance. Most of the course readings are textbook chapters. I might add some supplemental resources on OWL if necessary.
- I encourage you to engage with the discussions and ask questions when necessary. Students who participate more in class usually tend to score higher grades.
- Plan well and try to arrive on time. We may have some turbulent weather, so please try to give yourself plenty of time to arrive.
- Please limit your use of technology for note-taking and e-learning tools. Opening social media in class can be distracting, both to yourself as well as other students. Sit towards the back of the room if you need to open several non-course-related tabs. If this behaviour is deemed disruptive, you may be asked to leave the classroom.
- Here at Western, we are fortunate to have access to the resources we do. Student advocates have worked hard over many years to negotiate the myriad student resources covered by your tuition fees. If you find yourself struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The Student Development Centre website (sdc.uwo.ca) offers services for a range of different needs.
4.3 Learning Outcomes
Below is an overview of some learning outcomes for the course, accompanied by the assessments we will use to see if the learning outcomes were successfully met.
|
Learning Outcomes |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge Define and describe key terminology and concepts in social psychology, including prominent social phenomena.
|
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Multiple-choice questions in the exam. |
|
Knowledge of Methodologies Evaluate various research methods used by social psychologists, including the questions they ask and how multiple lines of research feed into our understanding of social behaviour. |
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Discussions in lectures and tutorials + exam questions |
|
Application of Knowledge Apply knowledge of prominent social psychological phenomena to real-world issues such as education, the workplace, and politics. |
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Discussions in lectures and tutorials + exam questions |
|
Communication Skills Articulate knowledge about social psychological theories in the broader context of historical and empirical implications. |
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Participation in tutorial activities and discussions |
|
Awareness of Limits of Knowledge Analyze the merits and pitfalls of social psychological theories in isolation and as a whole. |
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Tutorial Discussions, Exams |
|
Autonomy and Professional Capacity Troubleshoot answers to common course-related questions in undergraduate courses. |
Lectures, tutorial discussions, and assigned readings |
Syllabus Scavenger Hunt quiz. |
5.0 EVALUATION
In this course, you will be evaluated based on:
- Syllabus Scavenger Hunt Quiz – 5%
- Tutorial Participation – 25%
- Midterm Exam – 35%
- Final Exam – 35%
Syllabus Scavenger Hunt – 5%
The syllabus serves as a “contract” for the course. As with any contract, it is important to read through and refer to when troubleshooting for certain information. In order to ensure that we are on the same page, a brief quiz on the syllabus’s contents will be posted on OWL. Questions will be multiple choice, and you must complete it online (you will need to have the syllabus handy for this). The main objective is to get you to troubleshoot the syllabus for key information, and earn an easy 1% for being a responsible student! The quiz must be completed by 11.59 pm on October 4th, 2021.
Tutorials – 25%
The tutorials are facilitated by the TAs and designed to enhance collaborative learning in a small-classroom environment. I have encouraged the TAs to collaborate on content creation based on outlines I have provided.
The key to succeeding in them is through active and insightful participation in the discussions and activities. Both the quantity and quality of your participation will be assessed. More details on participation grading will be provided in the tutorials.
Midterm – 35%
Final Exam – 35%
The midterm and the final exam are based on material from the textbook as well as lecture. Each test will contain multiple choice questions assessing different learning outcomes (see section 4.3 above). Each exam is non-cumulative. Section 7.0 of the syllabus details the content covered in each.
The Midterm exam will be on October 19th, and the final exam will be held during the final exam period in April. As soon as we receive a date and time from the university, it will be announced.
Missing an exam without a legitimate medical or personal circumstance approved of by your academic counselor (see https://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/about_us/appointments.html) will result in a 0.
The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-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.
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.
6.0 TEST AND EXAMINATION SCHEDULE
Midterm: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 – SH-3345
Final Exam: TBA (December 10th – 21st).
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
Note: The lecture schedule is subject to change. However, the exam dates are final.
|
Date |
Class Topic |
Textbook Chapter |
|
Sep 14 |
Introduction to Social Psychology No Tutorial |
1&2 |
|
Sep 21 |
The Social Self Tutorial 1 |
3 |
|
Sep 28 |
Social Cognition and Attribution Tutorial 2 |
4&5 |
|
Oct 5 |
Attitudes and Attitude Change Tutorial 3 |
7 |
|
Oct 12 |
Persuasion Tutorial 4 |
8 |
|
Oct 19 |
Midterm Exam in Class No tutorials this week |
4 |
|
Oct 26 |
Social Influence Tutorial 5 |
9 |
|
Nov 2 |
Reading Week No class or tutorials this week |
|
|
Nov 9 |
Interpersonal Attraction & Relationships Tutorial 6 |
10 |
|
Nov 16 |
Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination Tutorial 7 |
7 |
|
Nov 23 |
Groups Tutorial 8 |
8 |
|
Nov 30 |
Aggression Tutorial 9 |
13 |
|
Dec 7 |
Altruism and Cooperation |
14 |
|
Dec 10 - 21 |
Final Exam (during formal examination period) |
|
8.0 COURSE-SPECIFIC POLICIES
8.1 Lecture Slides
I will try to post the Powerpoint slides before the lecture, unless unforeseen extenuating circumstances prevent me from doing so. The slides are a framework to help guide your understanding, and should not be the only tool you rely on for studying. In many cases, the content on the slides alone may not be sufficient to understand a concept, so listening and asking for clarification will be helpful.
Note: I am looking for some volunteer class note-takers. If anyone wants to volunteer to share their lecture notes, please get in touch with me.
8.2 Classroom Conduct and Management
My goal in this class is to foster an engaging and empowering learning environment. In this class, we will discuss sensitive topics. It is important to have these conversations in a course like this, and to ask challenging questions in an intellectually honest way. In any case, I want this to be a safe learning environment for all, that responsibility falls on all of us. It’s ok to be passionate about a topic, but please don’t result to personally insulting each other.
Please do your best to arrive to class on time. Keep an eye on the weather and leave yourself plenty of time to get to campus. In the event of inclement weather, the university itself decides whether classes continue or not (I don’t have control over that).
8.3 Communication
You will receive email at your @uwo.ca email address only. Changes to course scheduling (e.g., due to weather) and important information will be posted on the OWL course page. Please check the page regularly. Although OWL tends to send announcement notifications via email, those emails can frequently get filtered into the “other” category if you use a smart phone to receive the email. Please be aware of that and take steps to ensure that OWL notifications are given priority.
If you need to email Kristi or myself, please ensure that the subject of the email contains “Psychology 2550B” in the subject line, as well as your student number towards the end. It is also important that you keep the tone of the email respectful. For example, “Hey bruh, I don’t think I like you” or “Hey! Can u plz help” is unlikely to receive a response.
A better way to phrase your email would be: “Hi Hiten, I am still struggling with correlations. Specifically, I didn’t grasp how you evaluated the strength of a correlation, and what’s implication is. Could we meet to chat about this at 10 am on Wednesday?”
Please be mindful that I receive many emails every day, and despite my best efforts it can take up to two business days respond. If I have not replied within two business days, please send a friendly reminder, or consider the tone of your previous email. It is best to contact me sooner rather than later for any matter.
9.0 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.
10.0 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.
11.0 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
12.0 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:
- Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
- 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.
13.0 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.
14.0 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.
15.0 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.
