Maricopa Community Colleges  PSY250  19996-99999 

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval:  5-25-1999

PSY250  1999 Fall - 9999

LEC  3.0 Credit(s)  3.0 Period(s)  Load 3.0  Acad

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by other people and situations. Includes how we think about ourselves and others, persuasion and influence, sexual and romantic attraction, friendship and helping others, aggression and prejudice.

Prerequisites: PSY101 with a grade of "C" or better or permission of the Instructor.


Course Attribute(s):

General Education Designation: Social and Behavioral Sciences - [SB]


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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:



PSY250  1999 Fall - 9999

Social Psychology



Describe the history and research methodology of social psychology.(I)


Describe the role of non-verbal communication in understanding causes of behavior. (II)


Define attribution and describe the factors that relate to it. (II)


Identify potential sources of bias in attribution. (II)


Describe the basic processes that play a role in social cognition.(III)


Describe theories of self-attribution, and cite research supporting and refuting these theories. (II)


Describe the factors involved in forming impressions of others. (III)


Describe the processes involved in attitude formation. (IV)


Describe techniques of attitude measurement. (IV)


Describe the factors and techniques involved in changing attitudes.(IV)


Define prejudice and describe theoretical explanations of prejudice.(IV)


Identify strategies used to reduce prejudice. (IV)


Describe sex typing and prejudices based on it. (IV)


Define attraction, friendship, and love. (V)


Describe the factors that influence attraction, friendship, and love.(V)


Describe theories and techniques of social influence. (VI)


Describe research and factors involved in prosocial behavior. (VI)


Describe theories and research findings of aggression. (VI)


Describe prevention and control of aggression. (VI)


Describe various forms of social exchange. (VII)


Describe the effects of a group on social facilitation and deindividuation. (VIII)


Describe decision making and patterns of influence in groups. (VIII)


Describe the impact of the physical environment on behavior. (IX)


Describe the impact of personality on group behavior. (IX)


Describe society's attitudes toward sex and sexual behaviors. (X)


Describe theories of sexual attraction. (X)



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MCCCD Official Course Outline:



PSY250  1999 Fall - 9999

Social Psychology


I. Introduction to social psychology

A. History of social psychology

B. Research methods

II. Social perception

A. Non-verbal communication

B. Attribution of causality

C. Self-attribution

III. Social cognition

A. Basic processes of social cognition

B. Cognitive frameworks

C. Forming impressions of others

IV. Attitudes

A. Attitude measurement

1. Role of learning

2. Role of experience

B. Changing attitudes

1. Persuasion

2. Dissonance

C. Attitudes and behavior

D. Prejudice and discrimination

1. Definitions and theoretical explanations

2. Measurement

3. Reducing prejudice

4. Sex roles and sexual identity

5. Prejudice based on sex

V. Attraction, friendship, love

A. Reactions to strangers

B. Acquaintances

1. Attractiveness

2. Similarity

3. Reciprocity

C. Love

VI. Social behavior

A. Changing behavior of others

1. Conformity

2. Compliance

3. Obedience

B. Prosocial behavior

1. Helping behavior

2. Intervening behavior

3. Resisting immediate gains

C. Aggressive behavior

1. Definitions

2. Theoretical perspectives

VII. Social exchange

A. Cooperation and competition

B. Bargaining and negotiation

C. Social justice

VIII. Group behavior

A. Social facilitation

B. Deindividuation

C. Group decision making processes

D. Patterns of influence in a group

IX. Effect on social behavior

A. Impact of physical world

1. Physical presence of others

2. Negative aspects of the physical world

3. Positive aspects of the physical world

B. Personality

1. Personality traits

2. Loneliness

3. Type A and Type B personalities

4. Locus of control

X. Sexuality

