Applied Social Psychology

Paper Code: 
PSY 421
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

COURSE OUTCOMES

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

  
 

On completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO151: Understand the key issues and theoretical concepts related to applied social psychology and compare and contrast the research methodologies used in the scientific study of human social behaviour.

CO152: Demonstrate the ability to articulate independently and creatively interventions about human social behaviour and the cultural influences that affect our behaviour.

CO153: Develop an awareness of the role of mass media in shaping public psyche, beliefs and perceptions about social realities and building an informed and critical perspective

CO154: Understand the applications of social psychology to social issues like gender, environment, health, intergroup conflicts, etc.

CO155: Develop an understanding to enable sustainable living pertaining to social influence processes particularly the influence of materialism and wealth

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration, Team teaching

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks, Field practical

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

  

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Foundations of Applied Social Psychology

Nature; Research Methods-Methods of Data Collection-Self Report Methods, Observational Methods, Research Designs-True Experiments, Experiments, Correlational Studies, Descriptive Studies, Qualitative Research Methods-Creswell’s Research Methods

12.00
Unit II: 
Intervention and Evaluation

Design of Interventions- Nature, Key Tasks and Delivery; Evaluation of Interventions- Reasons for Evaluation, Types of Evaluation; Importance of Research Design in Evaluating Interventions; An Intervention Example with Steps; Influencing Social Policy; Intervention Issues

12.00
Unit III: 
Applying Social Psychology to the Arenas of Life I

Applying Social Psychology to the Media- Effect of Media Violence, Effect of Pornography, Effect of Political News Coverage, Applying Social Psychology to the Court- Eyewitness Testimony, Jurors as Individuate & Jury as a Group, Factors Influencing Juror Judgments.   

12.00
Unit IV: 
Applying Social Psychology to the Arenas of Life II

Applying Social Psychology to the Community- Definition, Origin, Sense of Community, Diversity versus Prejudice and Stigmatisation, Bringing about Social Change; Applying Social Psychology to Diversity-Cultural Diversity, Demographics, Challenges, Conflict and Conflict Management   

12.00
Unit V: 
Social Psychology and Sustainable Future

Social Psychology of Environment, Personal Space & Psychology of Crowding; Enabling Sustainable Living; Social Psychology of Materialism & Wealth.  

Essential Readings: 
  • Myers, David G., Sahajpal, P., Behera, P. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed). New Delhi: McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited.
  • Schneider, F.W., Gruman, J.A., & Coutts, L.A. (2016). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

 

References: 

Suggested Readings

  • Aronson, E. Ellsworth, P., Calsmith, J.M. & Gonzales, M.H. (1990). Methods of Research in Social Psychology. NY: McGraw Hill.
  • Baron, Robert A., Branscombe, Nyla, Byrne, R., Donn, Erwin (2008). Social psychology. Delhi: Pearson
  • Baron, Robert A. Branscombe, Nyla R. Donn, Byrne, Bhardwaj, Gopa (2010). Social Psychology. (12th ed.) Delhi: Pearson.
  • Baumeister, R. F., Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social Psychology and Human Nature (3rd ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 
  • Bunk, Abraham, P. and Vugt, Mark Van (2013). Applying Social Psychology: From Problems to Solutions (2nd ed.). Netherlands: Sage.
  • Feldman, R.S. (1995). Social Psychology: N.J. Prentice Hall. 
  • Kool, V. K. and Agarwal, Rita (2008). Applied Social Psychology: A Global Perspective. New Delhi: Atlantic.
  • Misra, G. (1990). Applied Social Psychology in India. ND: Sage.
  • Ruscher, J.B. (2001). Prejudiced Communication: A Social Psychological Perspective. New York: The Guilford Press.
  • Semin, G.R. and Fiedler, K. (1996). Applied Social Psychology. Delhi: Sage Publications.
  • Vago, S. (1990). Social Change. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

E-Resources

  • ResearchGate
  • JSTOR
  • Proquest
  • Shodhganga
  • Delnet
  • Google Scholar
  • National Digital Library (NPTEL)
  • Academia

Journals

  • Perspectives on Psychological Science
  • Psychological Bulletin
  • Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
  • Journal of Positive Psychology
  • Journal of Applied Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

 

Academic Year: 
2022-23
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