Download PSY 327.001: Cognitive Social Psychology Spring 2013 Course Overview

PSY 327.001: Cognitive Social Psychology
Spring 2013
Instructor: Dr. Devin Pierce
Office Location: Binion 221
Office Hours: 9:30am - 11:30am (M & W) or by appointment
Email: [email protected]
Course Overview
This class will provide a broad introduction to the basic principles of social
psychology with an emphasis on the cognitive aspects of interpersonal influence.
Throughout this course, you will study cognitive processes – such as perception,
memory, and decision-making – while looking at important social problems. Some
topics to be covered include heuristics, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination,
cognitive dissonance, attribution theory, aggression, prosocial behavior, group
processes, conformity, and interpersonal attraction. In addition, we will examine
new discoveries from embodied social cognition and social neuroscience. I hope to
show you that you are surrounded by social cognitive phenomena everyday of your
life. Upon completion of this course you should be prepared to pursue a more
focused and in-depth course within the field.
Textbook
Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D., & Akert, R.M. (2013). Social
Psychology (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Course Requirements
Class Participation. I consider class participation to be one of the most
important, yet underrated elements of a student’s education. There are numerous
elements that go into class participation: (1) Attending and participating in all class
meetings (according to University rules, students may be dropped from the class
for excessive unexcused absences); (2) Arriving to class on time and not packing up
early; (3) Somewhat frequent, and preferably intelligent, contributions to class
discussion; and (4) Treating others with respect and politeness. [“All students
enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and
acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment.” (See Student’s
Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct)]. Total=5%
Exams. There will be four exams, each worth 15% of your grade. You are
responsible for all lecture and reading materials. Exams may be rescheduled,
without penalty, only when arrangements have been made in advance of the testing
date. I expect people to come to me within the first week of class if they have
conflicts with the exam dates. Make-ups will only be given in the case of verifiable
medical or legal excuses. Verifiable means that written documentation is provided
(e.g., signed doctors’ notes, court appearance tickets, newspaper obituaries). The
final decision concerning make-up exams rests with the instructor. No cell phones
are allowed on desks during exam day. In addition, calls may not be received – if
you answer the phone your exam will be forfeited (unless arrangements are made
with me ahead of time). Total=60%
Quizzes. You will be given a quiz upon the completion of each chapter. They
will be open-book/open-notes; however, there will be a time-limit imposed. A
principle reason for these quizzes stems from the fact that research has
demonstrated that testing yourself on a frequent basis is a highly effective
learning strategy. Total=15%
Projects. The remainder of your grade will be composed of a combination of
two projects. Separate handouts will contain the full details of these projects.
Absence from class does not remove your responsibility for turning the project in
on time. I am not required to accept projects that are turned in after the due
date. Total=20%
Your grade will be determined as follows:
Exams
Quizzes
Projects
Participation
60%
15%
20%
5%
100%
Final grades are based on the total number of points earned during the term in
accordance, generally, with the following levels of proficiency: A = 90-99; B = 8089; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F = below 60.
Course and University Procedures/Policies
Academic Honesty. Texas A&M University - Commerce has explicit rules and
regulations governing academic dishonesty and academic misconduct. These policies
are stated in detail in the Students Guide Handbook. Each student is expected to
read the documents at the address and abide by the contained policies. These
university policies will be followed in this class. The minimum penalty for an act of
academic dishonesty will be the assignment of a grade of 0 on the relevant quiz,
exam, or project.
Assignment of an Incomplete Grade. A grade of Incomplete is reserved for
only those special cases where a student has completed a significant portion of the
semester's work and an unavoidable circumstance prevents him or her from
completing the course. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities. The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other
things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a
learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their
disabilities. If you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact:
Office of Student Disability Resources and Services, Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, Gee Library, Room 132, Phone (903) 886-5150 or (903) 886-5835, Fax
(903) 468-8148, [email protected].
Tentative Course Schedule
Week
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TBA
(1/15)
(1/17)
(1/22)
(1/24)
(1/29)
(1/31)
(2/5)
(2/7)
(2/12)
(2/14)
(2/19)
(2/21)
(2/26)
(2/28)
(3/5)
(3/7)
(3/12)
(3/14)
(3/19)
(3/21)
(3/26)
(3/28)
(4/2)
(4/4)
(4/9)
(4/11)
(4/16)
(4/18)
(4/23)
(4/25)
(4/30)
(5/2)
Topic
Course Introduction
Social psych and Methods of Research
Social Cognition
Social Cognition
Social Perception
Social Perception
1st Exam and Reaction Paper
The Self
The Self
Self-Justification
Self-Justification
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Conformity
Conformity
Complete Exam 2 & Submit Project 1
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Group Processes
Group Processes
Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal Attraction
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial Behavior
Complete Exam 3
Aggression
Prejudice
Prejudice
Embodiment in Social Cognition
Embodiment in Social Cognition
Social Neuroscience
Social Neuroscience
Complete Exam 4 & Submit Project 2
Reading
Syllabus
Ch. 1 & 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 4
None
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
None
None
None
Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 11
None
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 13
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
None