Social Psychology
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There are 7 modules in this course
Ever wonder why people do what they do? This course—which includes more than $1,000 of video and reading materials—offers some answers based on the latest research from social psychology. Students taking the course for a Certificate will also receive free membership in Social Psychology Network (SocialPsychology.org).
COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM PROFESSOR PLOUS: Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one person and dislike another? How do conflicts and prejudices develop, and how can they be reduced? Can psychological research help protect the environment, and if so, how? This course offers a brief introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being. Our focus will be on surprising, entertaining, and intriguing research findings that are easy to apply in daily life. The course will also draw from the websites of Social Psychology Network, the world's largest online community devoted to social psychology. I hope you'll join me for this course, have fun, and learn some useful information that enriches your life.
This week's goals are to: (1) learn what social psychology is and why it's worth studying; (2) take a "snapshot" of your thinking at the start of the course; (3) see how perceptions of reality are psychologically constructed; and (4) witness the shocking speed at which social judgments are made.
What's included
9 videos14 readings3 assignments
9 videos•Total 92 minutes
- Quick Course Overview•4 minutes
- Lecture 1.1: Welcome, Social Psychers!•8 minutes
- Lecture 1.2: Course Logistics: Some Rules of the Road•11 minutes
- Lecture 1.3: Tour of Social Psychology Network and Invitation to Join•12 minutes
- Lecture 1.4: The Psychological Construction of Reality•13 minutes
- Lecture 1.5: Confirmation Bias•9 minutes
- Lecture 1.6: Self-Fulfilling Prophecies•12 minutes
- Lecture 1.7: Thin Slices: Social Judgments in the Blink of an Eye•13 minutes
- Lecture 1.8: What Other People Think of You•11 minutes
14 readings•Total 141 minutes
- How the Course Works•4 minutes
- Lecture 1.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 1.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 1.1 - Introducing Social Psychology•75 minutes
- Lecture 1.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- How to Join Social Psychology Network•1 minute
- Editing Your SPN Member Page•1 minute
- Lecture 1.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 1.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 1.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Random Assignment Assignment FAQ•5 minutes
- Lecture 1.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 1.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Bonus Reading 1.1 - On Being Sane in Insane Places•15 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
- Assignment #1: The Random Assignment Assignment•20 minutes
- Snapshot Quiz, Part 1: Complete before Lecture 1.4•20 minutes
- Snapshot Quiz, Part 2: Complete before Lecture 1.4•10 minutes
This week's goals are to: (1) learn how people explain their behavior and the behavior of others; (2) explore the link between attitudes and behavior; (3) understand what cognitive dissonance is and why it matters; and (4) gain some practical tips from the science of persuasion and social influence.
What's included
9 videos12 readings1 peer review
9 videos•Total 140 minutes
- Lecture 2.1: Attribution Theory: The Whys and Wherefores of Behavior•16 minutes
- Lecture 2.2: Some Twists and Turns When Explaining Behavior•17 minutes
- Lecture 2.3: Is the Attitude Bone Connected to the Behavior Bone?•15 minutes
- Lecture 2.4: Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception•15 minutes
- Lecture 2.5: Two Flavors of Dissonance: Vanilla and Earthworm•16 minutes
- Bonus Video 2.1: A Conversation with Elliot Aronson•15 minutes
- Lecture 2.6: How to Be Persuasive•15 minutes
- Lecture 2.7: Secrets from the Science of Persuasion (Guest Lecture)•13 minutes
- Lecture 2.8: The Ins and Outs of Social Influence•19 minutes
12 readings•Total 170 minutes
- Lecture 2.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 2.1 - The Self in a Social World•90 minutes
- Lecture 2.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 2.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Peer Assessment FAQ•5 minutes
- Lecture 2.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 2.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 2.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 2.2 - Two Routes to Attitude Change•20 minutes
- Lecture 2.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 2.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 2.3 - Crafting Normative Messages to Protect the Environment•15 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
- Assignment #2: What Social Impression Do You Make?•120 minutes
This week's goals are to: (1) understand the psychological dynamics of obedience to authority; (2) review studies on group pressure and conformity; (3) learn about the dark side of deindividuation; and (4) consider ethical issues related to psychology research.
What's included
10 videos11 readings1 peer review
10 videos•Total 176 minutes
- Lecture 3.1: Obedience to Authority (Part 1: Watch Before Milgram Video)•5 minutes
- Assigned Video 3.1: Obedience (Stanley Milgram's Classic Documentary)•41 minutes
- Lecture 3.2: Obedience to Authority (Part 2: Watch After Milgram Video)•23 minutes
- Bonus Video 3.1: Stanley Milgram Discusses His Electric Shock Generator•2 minutes
- Bonus Video 3.2: What Was Stanley Milgram Like?•10 minutes
- Lecture 3.3: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 1)•14 minutes
- Lecture 3.4: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 2)•12 minutes
- Lecture 3.5: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 1: Watch Before Quiet Rage)•7 minutes
- Assigned Video 3.2: Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment•51 minutes
- Lecture 3.6: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 2: Watch After Quiet Rage)•11 minutes
11 readings•Total 250 minutes
- Lecture 3.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 3.1 - Social Beliefs and Judgments•90 minutes
- Lecture 3.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 3.2 - Replicating Milgram: Would People Still Obey Today?•30 minutes
- Bonus Reading 3.1 - How Nice People Get Corrupted•20 minutes
- Lecture 3.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 3.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Bonus Reading 3.2 - Opinions and Social Pressure•20 minutes
- Lecture 3.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 3.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Bonus Reading 3.3 - The SPE: Ethics and Extensions•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 30 minutes
- Assignment #3: Post Some Questions or Comments•30 minutes
This week's goals are to: (1) examine behavioral dynamics within and between groups; (2) see what happens when people fall prey to the Abilene Paradox; (3) read about social loafing, groupthink, and group polarization; and (4) learn effective ways to reduce prejudice and discrimination in daily life.
What's included
7 videos8 readings1 peer review
7 videos•Total 116 minutes
- Lecture 4.1: Group Dynamics and the Abilene Paradox•12 minutes
- Assigned Video 4.1: The Abilene Paradox•24 minutes
- Lecture 4.2: How Categorical Thinking Gives Rise to Prejudice•15 minutes
- Assigned Video 4.2: Race: The Power of an Illusion•9 minutes
- Assigned Video 4.3: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She•24 minutes
- Lecture 4.3: The Minimal Group: From Dots to Discrimination in 60 Seconds•12 minutes
- Lecture 4.4: When Intergroup Biases Don't Feel Like Biases•21 minutes
8 readings•Total 135 minutes
- Lecture 4.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 4.1 - Many Hands Make Diminished Responsibility•15 minutes
- Bonus Reading 4.1 - Doing Together What We Would Not Do Alone•15 minutes
- Reading 4.2 - How Groups Intensify Decisions•35 minutes
- Lecture 4.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•0 minutes
- Lecture 4.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•0 minutes
- Reading 4.3 - Psychology of Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination•60 minutes
- Lecture 4.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Assignment #4: The Diet & Lifestyle Choices Interview•60 minutes
This week offers a chance to catch up on any course material that you've missed. There are no required videos or readings, but for those of you whose week wouldn't be complete without a little social psychology, please enjoy the optional materials in Week 5!
What's included
2 videos4 readings
2 videos•Total 36 minutes
- Bonus Video 5.1: Experiments in Change Blindness•4 minutes
- Bonus Video 5.2: Hangout with Philip G. Zimbardo•32 minutes
4 readings•Total 43 minutes
- Bonus Reading 5.1 - Cyranoids•20 minutes
- Bonus Audio 5.1: Buzzer•3 minutes
- Bonus Audio 5.2: Stereotypes Drive Perceptions of Race•5 minutes
- Bonus Reading 5.2 - How Social Status Shapes Race•15 minutes
This week's goals are to: (1) look at the factors that influence whether people will help one another; (2) examine the roots of aggression, violence, and terrorism; (3) learn psychological techniques to promote peace and sustainable living; and (4) carry out a personal experiment in which you spend 24 hours living as compassionately as possible.
What's included
7 videos13 readings1 assignment1 peer review
7 videos•Total 115 minutes
- Lecture 6.1: Bystander Intervention in Emergencies•24 minutes
- Lecture 6.2: The Triggers of Aggression•24 minutes
- Lecture 6.3: Countering Terrorism: Is Psychology Mightier Than the Sword?•19 minutes
- Lecture 6.4: Halting the Lions of War by Taking the Third Side•18 minutes
- Lecture 6.5: Israel and Iran: A Love Story?•16 minutes
- Lecture 6.6: The Day of Compassion•7 minutes
- Bonus Video 6.1: The Day of Compassion Award•8 minutes
13 readings•Total 205 minutes
- Lecture 6.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 6.1 - When Do People Help?•20 minutes
- Lecture 6.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 6.2 - The Nature and Nurture of Aggression•35 minutes
- Bonus Reading 6.1 - Heat and Violence•15 minutes
- Lecture 6.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 6.3 - Causes of Conflict•30 minutes
- Bonus Reading 6.2 - How Social Science Can Reduce Terrorism•10 minutes
- Lecture 6.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 6.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Bonus Reading 6.3 - Psychology of Climate Change Communication•60 minutes
- Lecture 6.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Honors Assignment: Small-Group Discussion•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Honors Assignment: Small Group Discussion (Quiz)•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Assignment #5: The Day of Compassion•60 minutes
This week's goals are to: (1) consider whether empathy is a "magic bullet" for addressing social problems; (2) learn what the most important ingredients are for a happy life; (3) find out what researchers have discovered about romantic attraction and close relationships; and (4) hear about additional resources and organizations if you want to continue studying social psychology.
What's included
7 videos7 readings1 assignment
7 videos•Total 155 minutes
- Lecture 7.1: Is Empathy a Magic Bullet?•19 minutes
- Assigned Video 7.1: This Emotional Life: Understanding Happiness•23 minutes
- Lecture 7.2: How to Buy Happiness•14 minutes
- Lecture 7.3: Romantic Attraction and Close Relationships•16 minutes
- Lecture 7.4: Concluding Remarks: Where to Go From Here•18 minutes
- Bonus Video 7.1: Hangout with Mahzarin Banaji•31 minutes
- Bonus Video 7.2: Hangout with Daniel Gilbert•34 minutes
7 readings•Total 88 minutes
- Lecture 7.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Lecture 7.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•10 minutes
- Lecture 7.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Reading 7.1 - Who Likes Whom?•40 minutes
- Lecture 7.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
- Final Exam FAQ•3 minutes
- Social Psychology Glossary (Study Aid)•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Take the Exam Now•60 minutes
Instructor
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- Status: PreviewO
O.P. Jindal Global University
Course
- Status: Free TrialA
American Psychological Association
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- Status: Free TrialA
American Psychological Association
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- Status: PreviewU
University of Toronto
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Reviewed on Oct 8, 2020
This was such an educational and fun course. I learnt so much about the mind and how it works with regards to people and situations. Thank you so much. This course changed my life for the better
Reviewed on May 28, 2020
very interesting subjects and very helpful in explaining surrounding most experienced human behaviors, it's easy to reschedule course assignments dues , it was my pleasure to attend this course
Reviewed on Mar 30, 2021
I believe that every student needs to take this course regardless of the student's major. I thank God that I took the course. I am grateful for the financial aid that enabled me to take the course.
Frequently asked questions
No preparation is needed, but you're welcome to begin receiving Social Psychology Network news items and announcements from any of these sources if you use Twitter, Facebook, or RSS feeds:
PSYCHOLOGY HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-headlines
UNDERSTAND PREJUDICE: SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-prejudice
CLIMATE PSYCHOLOGY (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-climate
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY NETWORK (Facebook):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/facebook
PSYCHOLOGY NEWS SERVICE (RSS Feed):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/rss
These resources are free to everyone (whether you enroll for a Certificate or not) and will connect you with the latest news, studies, and other developments in social psychology and related fields.
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
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Financial aid available,
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