SOCIOLOGY 370


Social Psychology


  • Instructor: Sherry Cable Phone: 974-7031
  • Office: 919 McClung Tower E-mail: scable@utk.edu
  • Office Hours: T 11:00-12:00 and by appointment

    Course Description and Objectives

    This survey course in social psychology provides an overview of the theories, research areas, and empirical findings that currently characterize the field. We are all amateur social psychologists in our everyday lives as we try to understand why we and those around us behave the way we do. The aim of this course is to broaden and substantiate that understanding by examining behavior scientifically.

    Specifically, the objectives of the course are these:

    ** to enable you to test your own theories of human behavior and determine if they are supported by substantial evidence or if, instead, they are based solely on selective data;

    ** to allow you to apply the insights gained in class to your everyday interactions with friends, parents, sweethearts, and bureaucrats; and

    ** to promote in general a greater understanding of how the social environment influences our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

    The format of the course is a mixture of lectures, class participation, and small group discussions. Lectures will NOT be from your textbooks. An outline of all lectures and study questions for the texts will be provided. CLASS ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED.

    Required Textbooks

    1. An Invitation to Social Psychology by James A. Schellenberg, 1993. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.



    2. A packet of materials and readings available at the UC bookstore. The packet contains readings, study questions on the readings, and outlines of lectures. PLEASE BRING THIS PACKET TO EACH CLASS SESSION.



    Course Requirements

    Final course grades will be determined by your performances on three multiple-choice exams, each worth 35 points. Exam items will be drawn from both lectures and reading assignments. The final exam is not comprehensive. Make-ups will be offered in line with my ability to administer them. The total sum of points for the course, therefore, is 105. Final course grades will be assigned in accordance with the norms. That is, 90% or more of the total points yields an A; 80% yields a B; etc.



    Please note: if you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability or if you have emergency information to share, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 191 Hoskins Library at 974-6087. This will ensure that you are properly registered for services.



    SCHEDULE OF TOPICS




    PART I: Introduction to the course.



    PART II: What Is Social Psychology?

    Readings: Chapter 1: What Is Social Psychology?; for class: Chapter 6: Theoretical Perspectives in Social Psychology; Chapter 7: Social Psychology As a Science (no lecture); AE #10.

    Lecture: "On Being Human."

    Lecture: "Theoretical Perspectives."

    Group Exercise: AE#10, "Culture, Ideology, and Construal."



    PART III: Socialization and Identity

    Readings: Chapter 2: Personality and Socialization; AE#4.

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Identity."

    Lecture: "The Tarzan Syndrome."

    Lecture: Self-Esteem."



    EXAM #1 ABOUT HERE, 35 POINTS.



    Lecture: "The Mystery of Gender Identity."



    PART IV: Attitudes and Attitude Change

    Readings: Chapter 3: Social Perception, Beliefs, and Attitudes; AE#15; AE#11.

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Attitudes."

    Group Exercise: AE#15, "A Social Psychological Perspective on the Role of Knowledge About AIDS in AIDS Prevention."

    Lecture: "Attitude Change."

    Lecture: "Person Perception."

    Group Exercise: AE#11, "The Truth About Lying: Has Lying Gotten a Bad Rap?"



    PART V: Interpersonal Attraction

    Readings: for class: Chapter 4: Some Fundamental Social Processes, pp. 85-95; AE#21.

    Group Exercise: "Who Will Ruth Jones Marry?"

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Interpersonal Attraction."

    Group Exercise: AE#21, "The Biology of Beauty."



    EXAM #2 ABOUT HERE, 35 POINTS.



    PART VI: Social Processes



    Readings: Chapter 4: Some Fundamental Social Processes, pp.95-end; and Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations (no lecture); AE#30; AE#36; AE#35; AE#16; AE#38; AE#40.

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Interpersonal Hostility."

    Video: "Eye of the Storm."

    Group Exercise: AE#30, "Huck Finn vs. the Superpredators."

    Lecture: "Introduction to Aggression: Definitions of Aggression."

    Group Exercise: AE#36, "Spanking Studies Indicate Parents Should Be Cautious;" AE#35, "Anatomy of a Violent Relationship."

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Aggression."

    Video: "Quiet Rage."

    Group Exercise.

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Social Influence and Conformity."

    Video: "The Wave."

    Group Exercise: AE#16, "Obedience in Retrospect."

    Lecture: "The Mystery of Helping Behavior."

    Group Exercise: AE#38, "Volunteerism and Society's Response to the HIV Epidemic;" AE#40, "Cause of Death: Uncertain(ty)."



    EXAM #3, 35 POINTS.