Social Psychology

Universidad de Deusto - Bilbao

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Social Psychology

  • Host University

    Universidad de Deusto - Bilbao

  • Location

    Bilbao, Spain

  • Area of Study

    Applied Behavioral Science, Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology

  • Language Level

    High Advanced

    Hours & Credits

  • Contact Hours

  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
  • Overview

    The understanding of the social bases of behaviour is an essential part of the training of the psychologist. This subject helps to understand the psycho-social principles of how individual operate in groups. Experimental situations are used to reflect on the cognitive and social processes in order to explain the way in which individuals perceive and interpret the conduct of other individuals in groups and the way in which they influence each other and interact. The contents and activities making up the subject will facilitate the analysis of social situations linked to the beliefs, attitudes and aggressiveness, prejudice, altruism and other current key themes, by fostering reflection and questioning beyond a strictly ethical code.


    1. INTRODUCTION. Definition. Research in Social Psychology. Hindsight bias

    2. THE SELF: Self-concept, Self-schema, Self-Reference effect. Dual Attitudes. Self-Serving Bias (False Consensus effect. False Uniqueness effect)
    3. THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING: Learned Helplessness. Locus of Control. Self-Efficacy. Self-Esteem.
    4. ATTRIBUTION AND SOCIAL JUDGEMENTS: Fundamental Attribution Error. Overconfidence phenomenon. Confirmation bias. Heuristics. Regression toward the average. Illusory correlation. Self-fulfilling prophecy. Illusion of control
    5. FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Nonverbal communication.
    6. ATTITUDES: Definition. Relationship between attitude and behavior. Attitudes change. Cognitive Dissonance.

    7. CONFORMITY: Classic Studies (Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo). When do people conform? Why do we conform? Who?
    8. PERSUASION: Routes of persuasion. The elements of Persuasion. Persuasion in real life. Cult Indoctrination. Resisting Persuasion (Attitude Inoculation)
    9. MINORITIES INFLUENCE: Reactance. Minority's power. Leadership.

    10. PREJUDICE: Nature and Nurture of prejudice. Gender Prejudices. Racial Prejudice. Subtle Prejudice.
    11. THE ROOTS OF PREJUDICE: Social Sources. Social identity. Emotional Sources. Cognitive Sources
    12. AGGRESSIVENESS: Definition and kinds of aggression. Theories of aggression: Biology, Social Learning, Frustration. Other influences. Reducing Aggression.
    13. MEDIA AND AGGRESSIVENESS: Pornography. TV. Videogames.
    14. HELPING OTHERS. CONCEPT. Why do people help? When do people help?. Explanatory theories of altruistic behavior. Situational and disposal factors.

    * Professor: An indicative exposure of main concepts, by offering a generic view of each topic
    * Indoor and outdoor class activities: Analysis and discussion by groups and individually about topics, issues, documentaries, TV ads, cases...etc. Group working, talks, presentations, field studies...etc.
    * Individual readings
    * Follow-up tutoring

    * In-class activities
    o Presentations by the professor
    o Group practical activities
    o Tutoring and review sessions

    * Out-of-class activities:
    o Individual and group practical activities
    o Reading and analysis of documents
    o Tutoring
    o Test Preparation

    To evaluate the course, it will be taken into account:
    * Exam: An objective test (30 items) with 4 response options with penalty. To pass the test, students need to get at least 15 items correct. 40%
    * Indoor and outdoor activities: 60% o Outdoors activities.

    1. Reading the chapters and answering a questionnaire before the beginning of the corresponding module (15%)
    2. Complementary activities to each module, which are performed individually (25%) o Social Psychology Lab (20%). The theoretical content of each topic is worked through group practical activities carried out in class. In these activities, students apply the concepts they have read about, through diverse reflection and analysis exercises (videos, cases, news, scientific articles, etc.). A set of these activities will be designed to work the competence (solving problem), making a total of 10% of the grade. Some sections of some of these activities may need to be carried out outside the classroom

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.


