Entry requirements
None
Description
Social psychology studies how others influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviour in personal or work-related situations, and how we in turn affect others.This course introduces students to the main theories and findings in this field. The underlying processes relate to:
Social observation and social cognition (e.g. how do we form an impression of others);
Attitudes ( e.g. how do we form an opinion, and how can it be influenced); and
Behaviour in groups ( e.g. how are joint decisions made).
A good understanding of these processes helps us to gain insight into how people function in work situations such as:
Assessment and selection ( e.g. can we prevent stereotyping from affecting career decisions?);
Motivation and leadership ( e.g. can a manager make people feel committed to their work?); and
Cooperation and team performance ( e.g. can the team perform better than its individual members?).
Course objectives
Students will be familiar with general theoretical principles, and will know how to apply theoretical knowledge to gain a better understanding of people’s behaviour in organisations and social settings more broadly. They will gain an overview and understanding of theories and research in the area of social and organisational psychology. In the work-group sessions, students will practise analysing real life phenomena in light of social and organisational psychology theory and developing interactive exercises to illustrate this theory. Both are crucial professional skills for social and organisation psychologists working in fields such as consultancy, assessment and training, and (applied) research. Student assignments and presentations will be marked and this mark will be combined with the examination mark to determine the final mark.
Timetable
For the timetables of your lectures, workgroups, and exams, select your study programme. Psychology timetables
Lectures Work group sessions Exams
Registration
Course
First year psychology students are automatically enrolled for courses, but do need to register themselves for the exam.
Other students do not only need to register for exams themselves, but also for lectures and work group sessions. For information on registration periods consult the bachelor course registration
Examination
Students are not automatically enrolled for an examination. They can register via uSis from 100 to 10 calendar days before the date; students who are not registered will not be permitted to take the examination.
Mode of instruction
14 2-hour lectures and 4 2-hour work group sessions
Assessment method
Written examination with multiple-choice questions.
Presentation and writing assignment in work group sessions
The final mark reflects the weighed average of the exam grade (70%) and the average grade for the two work group assignments (30%).
Knowledge and insight are tested through a multiple choice exam. Application of knowledge and insight are tested through the two workgroup assignments involving a presentation and a written analysis. If the grade average of these two assignments is insufficient (i.e. if the workgroup grade is below a 5.50) students can again hand in the written analysis as a retake. Because all students have already received both plenary and individual feedback on this writing assignment, the maximum for this retake assignment is a sufficient grade (6.00).
The Institute of Psychology uses fixed rules for grade calculation and compulsory attendance. It also follows the policy of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences to systematically check student papers for plagiarism with the help of software. Disciplinary measures will be taken when fraud is detected. Students are expected to be familiar with and understand the implications of these three policies.
Reading list
George, J.M., & Jones, G.R. (2012). Understanding and managing organizational behaviour. International Edition (6th edition). Pearson. ISBN: 9780273753797
Baron, R.A., Branscombe, N.R. (2014). Social Psychology. Global Edition (14th edition), Pearson. ISBN: 9781292159096
When you purchase both books as a set with ISBN number, you will receive a discount: ISBN 9781292245348.
Contact information
Dr. Lotte van Dillen (coördinator) dillenlfvan@fsw.leidenuniv.nl