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Introduction to Social Psychology (Theory) [1]

Paper Code: 
25CPSY213
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

To enable students to appreciate how individual behaviour is influenced by social and cultural contexts, develop an understanding of functioning of dyads, groups and organization.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching

strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25CPSY213

Introduction to Social Psychology (Theory)

CO31: Demonstrate fundamental knowledge about need and scope of Social Psychology. Understand                       the historical and scientific origin and development of the field in the western and Indian context

CO32: Predict the impact of the presence of others on individual behaviour

CO33: Analyse the role of attitudes in understanding human behaviour.

CO34:                    Critically dissect and integrate the concept of altruism and how people help. Appraise the factors for aggressive acts in a social setting.

CO35:  Describe  the structure and function of different kinds of group behaviour

CO36:   Contribute effectively in course- specific interaction.

Approach in teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Reading assignments, 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: 
Introduction:

Nature and Scope; Historical underpinnings Social Psychology (emphasizing in Indian context); Methods- Observation, Experimental, Sociometry, correlational research; Relationships between other sciences.

12.00
Unit II: 
Understanding and evaluating the social world:

Social Perception- Nonverbal communication and deception; Attribution-Theories of attribution, Errors in attribution; Social Cognition-History, forming impression of other people, social schemas and categories: Self and Identity-Social Identity Theory, Self-esteem, Self-presentation and Impression management.

12.00
Unit III: 
Attitudes:

Structure and Function of attitude, Attitudes and Behaviour link, Attitude formation, Persuasion-strategies of attitude change, Theories of attitude change- balance theory and cognitive dissonance, Resistance to Persuasion; Measurement of Attitude.

12.00
Unit IV: 
Social Interaction Influence:

Interpersonal Attraction- Factors influencing interpersonal attraction, Attachment; Pro-Social Behaviour- motives, bystander effect-Darley and Latane 5 steps model; Aggression- Theoretical perspectives, personal and situational factors of aggression.

12.00
Unit V: 
Group Dynamics and Inter-Group Relations:

Nature of Groups; Group Structure, Social facilitation, social loafing; Intergroup Behaviour- cooperation and conflict; Group Decision making- rules, brainstorming, group  memory,  group  think,  group  polarization;  Prejudice  and discrimination-nature, targets, forms and stigma.

Essential Readings: 

·        Baron, R. A., Branscombe, N. R. (2012). Social psychology. (13th ed.) Boston: Pearson.

·        Baron, R.A. Branscombe, Nyla, R., Donn, Byrne, Bhardwaj, G. (2010). Social Psychology. (12th ed.) Delhi: Pearson.

·        Baumeister, R. F., Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social Psychology and Human Nature (3rd ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

·        Feldman, R.S. (1995). Social Psychology: N.J. Prentice Hall.

·        Myers, David G., Sahajpal, P., Behera, P. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed). New Delhi: McGraw Hill.

 

Suggested Readings:

·        Aronson, E. Ellsworth, P. ,Calsmith, J.M. & Gonzales, M.H. (1990). Methods of Research in Social Psychology. NY: McGraw Hill.

·        Farr, R.M. (1996). The Roots of Modern Social Psychology. Oxford: Blackwell.

·        Delamater, J. (2003). Handbook of Social Psychology. New York: Kluswer Academic.

·        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.

E Resources:

·        Levine, I. S., & Stoller, R. J. (1993). Coming Attractions: The Making of an X-Rated Video.          Yale                  University  Press.               EISBN:        978-0-30015-929-5.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt32bdhg [2]

·        Lunbeck, E., & Simon, B. (2003). Family Romance, Family Secrets: Case Notes from an American Psychoanalysis, 1912. Yale University Press. EISBN: 978-0-30012-928-1.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt1nphhq [3]

·        María, I. M. E., Bernardita, J. S., Verónica L. L., & Neva M. M. (1982). Clinical and Social Psychology: Research Instruments in Social Gerontology, Volume 1. University of Minnesota Press.  EISBN: 978-0-81665 5212. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7jc [4]

Academic Year: 
2025-2026 [5]

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Source URL: https://psychology.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/introduction-social-psychology-theory-0

Links:
[1] https://psychology.iisuniv.ac.in/courses/subjects/introduction-social-psychology-theory-0
[2] https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt32bdhg
[3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt1nphhq
[4] https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7jc
[5] https://psychology.iisuniv.ac.in/academic-year/2025-2026