Course

Module 1

Module 1: Introduction and Research Methods (6 hours)

1. Research Methods used by Social Psychologists
2. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

Module 2

Module 2: Self-Perception; Social Perception, Social Cognition (6 hours)

1. Understanding Ourselves – Self-esteem and Social Comparison Theory
2. Understanding Others – Non Verbal Communications and Attribution Theory
3. Understanding We Think: Cognitive Biases and Cognitive Dissonance

Module 3

Module 3: Social Influence (6 hours)

1. Attitude Formation and Change
2. Theory of Planned Behaviour
3. Social Norms and Conformity; Obedience to Authority

Module 4

Module 4: Group Processes and Identities (6 hours)

1. Group Processes: Social Facilitation and Social Loafing;
2. Group Think
3. Social Identity Theory
4. Stereotypes, Prejudices and Discrimination

Module 5

Module 5: Interpersonal Interactions (6 hours)

1. Interpersonal Attraction
2. Aggression
3. Prosocial Behaviour.

Course Description

Social psychology has been defined as the scientific attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. In other words, we get insights into: (a) how we think about ourselves; (b) how we think, feel and act in the social world; and (c) how our thoughts, attitudes and behaviors shape our social world. Social psychology is used widely in the fields of communication, marketing, behavioral economics and human resource management.

Understanding the psychology of communication can help you reach your audience more effectively in both social media and alternative media. Marketers use psychological principles to understand consumer decision-making and buyer behavior. For a manager, learning about self- presentation and maintaining a positive self-concept can be important. The course will help us become aware of the variety of cognitive biases that we are vulnerable to that can cause errors in making judgments and negatively impact decision-making. NGOs use principles from social psychology to persuade their audience to give up harmful behaviors such as smoking and adopt productive behaviors such as a regular physical exercise regimen. Managers can improve their strategies to increase work motivation, organizational commitment, job satisfaction and organizational citizenship behavior by drawing on social psychology concepts. HR managers can learn to avoid stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination that may unfairly influence recruitment and promotions. Studying social behavior helps us to understand group processes, group influence and how to improve group decision making. Team leaders can learn to improve team performance and reduce harmful group behavior such as groupthink and social loafing. In short, social psychology can help you to know yourself better, understand the behavior of those around you, and through this improve your effectiveness in the workplace, at home and contribute to your overall well-being.

Course Outcomes& Learning levels

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

1. Explain selected key theories in social psychology including social comparison theory, theory of cognitive dissonance, attribution theory, social cognitive theory and social identity theory (Understand).
2. Analyze cross-cultural scenarios in Students will be able to apply social psychology principles to analyze scenarios in communication, marketing, and organizational behavior. (Apply).
3. Analyze and present social psychology research published in peer-reviewed journals (Analyze).
4. Create original content on social psychology in everyday life integrating concepts learned from theories in social psychology (Create).

Evaluation Pattern

*Based on assignments / Tests / Quizzes / Case Studies / Projects / Term paper / Field visit report.

Course Text

1. Aronson, Elliot, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers, Veena Tucker. 2020. Social Psychology. Tenth Edition. Pearson India.

Reference Books

1. Baron, R. A., Byrne, D., & Branscombe, N. R. (2006). Social Psychology, 11/E. Pearson India
2. Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2020). Social Psychology and Human Nature. Cengage Learning.
3. Baron, R. A., Byrne, D., & Branscombe, N. R. (2006). Social Psychology, 11/E. Pearson India
4. Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2020). Social Psychology and Human Nature. Cengage Learning.