Psychology and social processes

3.1 Content of the course The course focuses on the following themes / modules: Module I: Definitions and theoretical orientations (approx. 2 lessons) - Historical evolution of Social Psychology - Main theoretical orientations - Epistemology of the discipline and basic concepts In particular, the course will give a detailed definition of social cognition, a comparison between controlled and automatic cognitive, and a description of the processes of elaboration of social information. Module II: Research methodology in Social Psychology (approx. 3 lessons) - Preliminary concepts and validity and reliability of the measures - Sampling and data collection - Methods for measuring attitudes - Survey and questionnaire - Experiments In this section, the course will explore the main topics related to the psychosocial research methodology. First of all, more general themes will be examined, such as validity and reliability, followed by the discourse on sampling and data collection. After that, the course will describe principal methods used in Social Psychology such as questionnaires and experiments. Module III: The perception of individuals and groups (approx. 5 lessons) - Interpersonal perception processes: naive personology and causal attribution - Stereotypes - Not verbal communication In this section we will examine the cognitive processes involved in the formation of impressions on individuals and groups and the importance of the first impressions. Moreover, it will be analyzed how people are perceived in relation to their behavior and illustrated the mechanisms of causal attribution. In the final part of the module, it will be illustrated the different theoretical approaches in the study of stereotypes, a crucial topic in the field of Social Psychology. Specifically, it will be examined the automatic activation of stereotypes and the consequences of stereotypes for the members of stereotyped groups. Module IV: Perception of the Self (approx. 2 lessons) - The Self and identity The argument of these lessons is the Self-concept. In particular, they will be investigated: the Self-awareness, the multiplicity of the selves; and the main motivations in the Self-management. Module V: Attitudes (approx. 4 lessons) - Structure - Functions - Formation and change of attitudes - The stability of attitudes - The relationship between attitudes and behavior In this section we would talk about the structure of attitudes and their functions. Furthermore, we will describe the affective, motivational and cognitive processes that influence the formation and change of attitudes, and the main models of the persuasion. Finally, we will illustrate the processes that impede the change of attitudes, as well as and some of the theories about the relationship between attitudes and behavior, such as the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behavior. Module VI: Social Influence (approx. 3 lessons) In this section the main theoretical contributions on the processes of social influence on different social groups will be illustrated. - Conformism to the majority - The influence of the minority - Obedience to authority Module VII: Groups (approx. 5 lessons) This module will deepen the main scientific contributions related to the psycho-social processes within groups. - Characteristics and functions of groups - Structure and evolution - Leadership - Performance and decision making in groups Module VIII: The relationship between social groups (approx. 2 lessons) In this module will be examined the relations between social groups: formation and reduction of prejudice, and the topic of immigration. Module IX: Laboratory and practical exercises (approx. 7 lessons) Various practical activities are planned to be carried out individually and in the small groups: - the development of research projects in which students will have to find/ create tools, collect data on a small sample, perform simple statistical analyzes and present the results in the classroom. These projects are not expected to lead to the choice of topic for a final thesis, although this possibility is not precluded. - participation in studies conducted by the teacher.

Requirements The course of Social Psychology: Theories and Methods is based on a basic theoretical and methodological knowledge. Consequently it presupposes the knowledge of the Italian language and the ability to understand and study texts at the university level. The course also makes use of knowledge of the basic notions of General Psychology, and the ability to use bibliography search tools.

1. Crisp, R. J. & Turner, R. N. (2017). Social Psychology. UTET. 2. Mannetti, L. (2002). Psicologia sociale. Roma, Carocci. 3. Giacomantonio, M., Mannetti, L., (2016). Metodi di ricerca in psicologia sociale. Roma, Carocci.

Methods of teaching The course is divided into 55 video lectures (duration from 18 to 30 min) available together with the power point slides within the Moodle platform. During the course there are interactive and collaborative activities: 1) Mythbusters, which consists in viewing videos taken from the TV program Mythbusters and answering some questions via forum regarding the methodology used. The Prof. Giacomantonio will give feedback on the activity. The students will gain 1 credit. 2) Experiment, which consists in designing a research project and collecting data on a small sample. The Prof. Giacomantonio will give a feedback on the activity via webinar. The students will gain 2 credits. 3) Research project, which consists of writing a small research project related to a topic of the program. The project can be written individually or together with another student, and it should be uploaded to the forum and sent by email to Prof. Kosic within five days before the exam. Prof. Kosic will give a feedback on the activity via webinar. The projects will be evaluated and those of excellent quality will get 1 credit.

Attendance Course attendance is not mandatory but is highly recommended because the topics dealt with, although interesting, are not easy.

Evaluation The exams will be written and will be based on the recommended textbooks and on the teaching material placed on the e-learning Moodle platform. The written exam consists of a test containingf 46 questions (open-ended). The time for responding is 90 minutes. The threshold of sufficiency is reached when a minimum score of 18/30 can be attributed. Participation in activities such as realization of a research project, and/or participation in the research activities of the teacher, will give the right to the acquisition of additional credits for the exam. Registering for exam sessions is mandatory and must be checked by the student by consulting the 'student list'. Students who are NOT registered CAN NOT take the exam.

Additional literature will be given during the classes.

Teaching methods The realisation of the course comprehends a combination of different teaching methods. The frontal lectures will be used in reference to the theoretical part of the course that deals with the principal themes of Social Psychology and the topics of the methodology. The lectures will be carried out with the support of power-point slides that will be made available on the Moodle elearning platform. During the lessons will be encouraged students’ active and interactive participation, the reflection on the proposed themes, and the connection of the psycho-social notions with the examples of real life. Theoretical-practical activities, to be carried out both individually and in groups, will characterize the part related to the laboratory. These will be proposed to promote independent judgment and communication skills.