Experimental Social Psychology – Psy303B Rankin 312, Office Hours: M and W 11:30-1:00 Dr. Denise Guastello Email: [email protected]

Course Description: This course reviews and critically examines the research findings of experimental social psychologists. Among the topics explored are attitude change, prejudice, conformity, altruism, aggression and group dynamics. Instructional emphasis will be on developing ideas for further needed social psychological research. (Fa) Prerequisite: PSY 101 and 205. Class meets Monday from 6 to 9:35 in Rankin 204A.

Course objectives: • To educate the student on the experiments conducted by and theories developed by social psychologists. • To help students develop the skills to critically analyze current world phenomenon and events from a social psychological viewpoint. I will present "hot off the press" studies from Psychological Science (expect this to occur just about every week) and students will research a current event topic. • In addition, students will present on and defend one side of a controversial issue. They will also participate in researching a social psychological issue (to be discussed a little later.)

Required Text: Myers, D.G. (2010). Social psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Required Reader: Nier, J.A. (2013) Taking sides: Clashing Views in psychology (4th Ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill ______Week 1-Sept 9 orientation, ice-breaking exercise, presentation sign-ups Strong Interest Inventory ______Week 2- Sept 16 Chapter 2 – Myers – Self in a Social World Locus of Control, Self-Monitoring Scale/Milgram DVD Taking Sides Issue 6: Are Self-Esteem Improvement Programs Misguided?//Extra Credit Opportunity ______Week 3- Sept 23 Chapter 3 – Myers – Social Beliefs Fundamental Attribution Error – Howard Dean clip Taking Sides Issue 8: Can People Accurately Detect Lies? Liars DVD Current Topic Presentation ______Week 4-Sept 30 Chapter 4 – Myers – Behavior and Attitudes Zimbardo Quiet Rage DVD Taking Sides Issue 18: Can Stereotypes Lead to Accurate Perceptions of Others? Current Topic Presentation ______Week 5-Oct 7 Chapter 6 – Myers – Conformity and Obedience McDonald's Strip Search Example Taking Sides Issue 15: Can People Really Be Brainwashed? DVD: Jonestown Milgram clip

1

Current Topic Presentation ______Week 6- Oct 14 Exam #1 (Myers 2-4,6/ Taking Sides 6,8,18,15./ Sci) ______Fall Break –Oct 21 ______Week 7 -Oct 28 Chapter 7 – Myers – Persuasion Taking Sides Issue 11: Do Milgram’s Obedience Experiments Help Explain the Nature of the Holocaust? Taking Sides Issue 14: Is Subliminal Persuasion a Myth? Current Topic Presentation ______Week 8 – Nov 4 Chapter 9 and 10 – Myers – Prejudice/Aggression Taking Sides Issue 16: Is Stereotyping Inevitable? Taking Sides Issue 20: Does Media Violence Cause Aggression? Current Topic Presentation ______Week 9 – Nov 11 Exam #2 ( Myers 7, 9, 10 / Taking Sides 11,14,16,20/Psych Sci) Current Topic Presentation ______Week 10- Nov 18 Chapter 11 – Myers - Attraction Taking Sides Issue 4: Are Our Social Perceptions Often Accurate? Current Topic Presentation ______Week 11-Nov 25 Chapter 12 – Myers- Helping Taking Sides Issue 19: Does True Altruism Exist? Silent Witnesses DVD Current Topic Presentation ______Week 12 – Dec 2 Chapter 15 – Myers – Court Thin Blue Line DVD 2 Current Topic Presentation ______Week 13 – Dec 9 Exam #3 (Myers 11,12,15/Taking Sides 4,19/Psych Sci/ Reflection paper on DVD)

There is no final exam in this class so we will not meet on the scheduled final exam date.

Grade Determination:

Three exams 80 points each for a total of 240 possible points.

Taking Sides Issue – 30 points Takins Sides presents a sample of controversial social psychology topics. Each topic, or issue, has a “yes” section and a “no” section. A partner group will be assigned to an issue, although it is not necessary for the partner group to work together as each student will be reading either the “yes” or the “no” section of their assigned chapter. Each student is responsible for reading his or her section and preseting it to the class. Your presentation should include a handout for each of your classsmates and an aoral presentation that includes an explanation of your issue and the side you were assigned. Make sure to defend why your side should be the “correct” viewpoint on the issue. I would also like you to give me 3 multiple choice questions from your reading that I may or may not include in the exam. If you are not presenting on the day of a Taking Sides presentation, you will be filling out a ballot stating which side your agree with and giving two reasons why you agree with that side.

2

Current Topic Presentation (in pairs) – 30 points – This is meant to be a fun assignment where you are free to utilize internet sources, newspapers, and other popular media as well as academic sources where possible. I will be looking for a discussion of your topic, how it relates to social psychology, what insights social psychology gives us on the phenomenon, if society is positively or negatively affected by it, and what we still don't know or would like to know with regard to the topic. Below are some suggested topics but feel free to run your own idea by me if you prefer.

Facebook School Shootings Washington D.C. Politics Twitter/Blogging Bullying Happiness (see text Chap 14 for ideas) Online Dating Mobs/Flash Mobs Depression (see text Chap 14 for ideas) Interactive Games Most recent Cults Sustainability (see text Chap 16 for ideas) New Family Structures Increased Longevity Home Schooling

Participation in out of class and in class research activities – 30 points (to be explained later)

Final Grade Scale 330 points possible 93% = A, 307 90% = A/B,297 85% = B,280 80% = B/C,264 75% = C,247 65% = D,214 below = F Grade Scale for exams – A 74; A/B 72; B 68; B/C 64; C 60; D 52 Keep a record of your grades on assignments, exams, and presentations. You have everything you need to keep track of your own grade!

Policy Statements

The instructor and the College reserve the right to modify, amend, or change the syllabus (course requirements, grading policy, etc.) as the curriculum and or program require(s).

Academic Integrity – The Carroll College Academic Integrity Policy is located in your student handbook (pages 17-21). If a student violates this policy, I reserve the right to impose a sanction of failure on the assignment/exam.

Accommodations for Disabilities – Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, or any student considering obtaining documentation should make an appointment with our disabilities coordinator at the Walter Young Center, X7335.

3