PSY 259 Social Psychology
Donna Vandergrift, Assistant
Professor
Fall 2008
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide an overview of the
field of social psychology. Social psychology is the study of how our thoughts,
feelings and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other
people, and how they influence our reactions to other people. Students should
gain understanding of fundamental theory and research in social psychology, as
well as how these principles operate in everyday settings such as education,
business, relationships, or legal settings, among others.
After completing this course, a student should be able to identify the social influences at work in various interactions. A student should be able to recognize psychological motivation for the actions of individuals and groups in a variety of situations. A student should be able to give examples of terms commonly used in Social Psychology and apply these concepts to real-life settings.
Specifically, you will
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
TEXT BOOK
Baumeister, R. F. &
Bushman, B. (2008). Social psychology and
human nature.
You are responsible for reading each chapter before it is covered in class so you are prepared to discuss it and to participate in in-class projects.
EVALUATION
There will be three (3) Unit Tests. Questions will come from lecture, your textbook, and other materials given by the instructor. Tests are multiple choice. Make-ups will only be granted IN EXTREME EMERGENCIES or if advanced notice is given. A written explanation from student is required before consideration for make-up will be given. Please use the Missed Test form at back of syllabus.
Other Assignments include:
Course Project: Described on pp. 4-8.
Other Assignments as given in class.
Ten percent of the grade will be deducted for every class session an assignment is late. Assignments will not be accepted after two past the due date.
HONOR POLICY
No violation of the honor code
or classroom agreement will be tolerated.
GRADING
Your grade will consist of
points earned from Unit Tests and Assignments.
Final grades will be given on the following scale: A=90-100%, B+ =87-89%, B=80-86%, C+ =
77-79%, C=70-76%, D=60-69%,
F=59% & below. Grades of “W”, “X”, or “I”
will only be given in accordance with college policies as described in the
college handbook. In order to receive an
“X” or an “I” grade, student work must be satisfactory.
ATTENDANCE
Everyone is expected to attend ALL classes. Please contact Instructor by email or voice mail as soon as you are aware that you will miss class. Excessive unexcused absences are not acceptable. You are responsible of all material covered during your absence. Find someone now who can give you missed notes and assignments.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit can be earned be attending one or more activities hosted by the college, which relate to the psychological concepts or theories of this course. A one-page typed summary for each activity must be submitted to receive 5 points. Be sure to include how it relates to the course. Extra credit is only available to students who are attending class regularly and have completed assignments and tests as required. Extra credit can not change a failing grade to a passing grade.
CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR
Office Location - 314 Academic Blg., Pemberton Campus
Office Hours - Mon., Wed. and Fri.
Tues. and
Thurs.
Advising Hours - Mon. & Tues.
Phone # - (609) 894-9311 or (856) 222-9311 x1251
Email - dvanderg@bcc.edu
Home Page - staff.bcc.edu/dvanderg & www.donnavandergrift.com
Psychology Home Page - staff.bcc.edu/psych
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
|
|
Exam Date |
Grades |
|
Chapters 1, 3, 4 |
9/19 |
_______ |
|
Chapters 5, 6, 7 |
10/17 |
_______ |
|
Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 |
11/14 |
_______ |
|
Chapters 12, 13, 14 |
Exam Week |
_______ |
|
|
Due Date |
Grade |
|
Course Project |
11/21 |
_______ |
Course Project
Psy 259 – Social Psychology
You have a couple of options to fulfill the course project requirement. Select one of the following. More detailed explanations are attached.
1. Service Learning
Service Learning means getting involved in the communities in our area. Selecting this option requires that you locate and make arrangements to volunteer in an area of development that your are interested in. A minimum of 12 hours is to be contributed throughout the semester. You will complete a paper that includes your reactions to your experience and application of the research and theories learned throughout the semester. The paper is expected to be approximately 8 to 10 pages in length, which includes an expectation and reflection page. You will describe your experiences during your visits and apply the theories and research that relate to the development you are observing. This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved in an area that you are interested in and a way to give back to our community. It has also led to job and career opportunities for other students.
2. Annotated Bibliography
Select an area of interest related to material covered in this course. You will be expected to explore this topic in more depth by writing an annotation on four research articles in the area of Social Psychology. The paper is to be approximately 8 to 10 pages in length using APA format.
You will be graded on the content of these projects as well as the presentation, which includes spelling, typos, grammar, neatness, etc. Please proofread carefully.
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT
Service learning means involvement in the communities directly related to and impacted by college courses. You are required to locate and make arrangements to volunteer in an area where you can provide service to our society (a paid job that you currently hold is not acceptable). The instructor is available to assist in finding an acceptable location. A minimum of 12 hours is to be contributed throughout the semester.
A service learning agreement must be completed and turned in by the beginning of the fourth week of the semester. This is to be signed by both you and the individual on-site who will supervise your experience. Your paper should be typed and relatively free of grammatical, typographic, and spelling errors. It should include the following:
Title Page - Your name, course number, instructor, date and a title to your paper should be at the beginning of your paper. 5 pts.
Journal Entries – You are required to complete 5 journal entries selected from the following list of possible entries; although you must do Entry 1. Each journal entry will address the listed questions. There should be approximately 6 to 8 pages of journal entries. 50 pts.
Reflection Page - At the completion of your experience, complete a page that addresses how the experience turned out, what you learned about yourself, and how this experience related to social psychology. 20 pts.
Letter from Supervisor - A letter signed from your supervisor describing your service and listing your hours should be attached to your paper. Although this is only worth 5 pts., your paper will not be graded without a signed letter on organizational letterhead. 5 pts.
Writing Quality – 20 pts.
A ‘C’ paper must include all of the information describe above and follow the basic standards for English Composition - 1) It must be well-organized 2) It must have well developed paragraphs 3) It must be competent in style. An ‘A’ or ‘B’ paper must satisfy all of the above requirements in addition to being original in thought and content, effectively integrating course materials, and creating interest and enthusiasm in the reader.
Entry Possibilities
Entry 1
Reflect on your expectations
for service learning. Why did you choose this option? Did someone or some
social context influence your decision? What do you expect from this
experience? What do you expect from your site? How will the fact
that this is voluntary work influence your ethic on the job? What are you
hoping to gain from this experience, both personally and in regards to the
course? Be specific, and make references to past social
experiences. These are a lot of questions; create a cohesive entry with
an overarching theme revolving around “expectations” rather than answering each
question.
Entry 2
Discuss schemas. What are some schemas that have
influenced your behavior or the behavior of others at your service learning
site? Clearly describe one instance where your schemas were confirmed and
one where they were not. Will these disconfirmed schemas persist for
you? Apply research evidence presented in the text, using it as support
for your personal observations. Explain textbook information in your own
words; do not quote the book.
Entry 3
Describe the attributional process within the context of your
experiences, such that a person who did not know the process could easily
identify the events that occur in the process. Provide some clear
examples of attributions you have made concerning your service learning
experience, and analyze the attribution into its component parts relating those
examples to your description of the process. (The examples can be about
the site, the people, you, the assignment, etc.) Are these
attributions internal or external? Why? Finally clearly describe at
least one instance of an attributional bias. Explain
textbook information in your own words; do not quote the book.
Entry 4
Reflect on your service
learning experience in terms of providing information about yourself.
Explain how self-perception might come into play here. Discuss how your
own self-awareness and self-knowledge have influenced and been influenced by
this experience and your interactions with others. How has your self-image or self-esteem played
a role in your behavior? Explain
textbook information in your own words; do not quote the book.
Entry 5
Compare and contrast
normative and informational social influence within the context of your service
learning. Why are they called "social" influence? What motives
underlie each type of influence? Give a clear example of each from you service
learning experience. Also discuss private conformity and public
conformity and cite examples from your experience at your service learning
site. Did any forms of persuasion come
into play during this experience? Explain information from the text in
your own words; do not quote the book.
Entry 6
One of the major factors in determining
attraction is physical attractiveness. Discuss what you know about this
variable (from personal experience) and describe some typical research in this
area (from your textbook or articles that you have read). Finally, have
you seen evidence of high physical attractiveness playing a role in the social
structure of your service-learning site? Does it match the research? Explain
this phenomenon as it occurs in real life settings. Form an entry that
has the purpose of answering whether physical attractiveness influences
attraction or whether it does not. Then, use what you know and what you
have experienced in service learning to answer that question. Explain
information from the text in your own words; do not quote the book.
Entry 7
Service learning is a
situation where you are engaging in helping behavior. Using this experience,
describe some motivational factors, situational factors, personal influences,
and interpersonal influences that have come into play in your service learning
experience. Be clear and specific by only picking a handful of memorable
factors or influences. Formulate paragraphs that are cohesive. Do
not simply ramble on and state each experience. Tie it all in together by
telling us how and why this experience has influenced your service learning
experience. Explain textbook information
in your own words; do not quote the book.
Entry 8
Define aggression and
discuss some acts of aggression you have seen during your service learning
experience. Pick at least two acts. Why would you consider these
acts of aggression? Further, are these acts instrumental or hostile/emotional
aggression? As you can see, you must use information you have learned from the
textbook to classify acts of aggression. Rely on that source as a way to
clearly explain what you mean and why you picked those certain acts to clarify
on your take on aggression. Explain information from the text in your own
words; do not quote the book.
Entry 9
Describe the affective,
cognitive, and behavioral components of racism. Formulate a definition of
racism using your own words. Do not simply state what your textbook or
what a dictionary can tell you. Then, using your service learning
experience, give a clear example of each of the components that you have used
to define racism. How is this racism? What defined this act as
racist? Why would someone consider this a racist act or statement?
Do not simply answer these questions in your entry; use them as a guide to
thoroughly explain your definition of racism. Further, define at least 2
other terms we discussed with this chapter and give one clear example of each
of these from your experience. Again, do not simply quote the definition
from a source, put it into your words. Use your
own experience to tell what it means to you.
Annotated Bibliography
Using professional, psychological journals (e.g. American Psychologist, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Child Development, Psychological Review, Journal of Personality, Human Nature, Journal of Social Psychology, Human Development, and Psychological Assessment), find four articles which relate to a topic in Social Psychology and write an annotation for each article. Each article must be a research article, which means that it is describing a research study.
1. Each annotation
should include
a) bibliographic information in APA style;
b) a short synopsis of the article content which includes:
the hypothesis, the variables and how they are
measured, the subjects,
the methods, and the results.
Each annotation should be approximately two pages in length.
2. A
two-page summary, comparing and contrasting the articles, should be included at
the end of the annotations.
This assignment should have a title page
that includes your name, the instructor’s name, the course number and section,
date and a title. It should use 12 point, normal font with one-inch
margins.
You will be graded on the following
elements:
Title
Page _____/
5
Annotated
Bibliography
Description of research _____/
70
APA Format _____/
10
Spelling / Grammar/Clarity _____/ 15
Total _____/
100
BEWARE: Any paper found guilty of plagiarism will receive a ZERO. Plagiarism includes copying or paraphrasing another's words, ideas, or facts without crediting the source; submitting a paper written by someone else, either in whole or in part, as one's own work; or submitting work previously submitted for another course or instructor.
BCC PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Honor Policy
The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that students and instructors can engage in learning, teaching, and understanding in an appropriate educational atmosphere. Please carefully read the following student and instructor responsibilities and keep this information with your class materials.
Student
Expectations/Responsibilities:
· Attend all classes, be on time, and remain in class (If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to notify instructor and contact classmates for notes and assignments).
· Do not disrupt class activities (i.e. no cell phones, texting, or other electronic devices) unless unavoidable circumstances arise.
· Treat classmates and instructor with respect and civility.
· Submit assignments and take tests on time.
· Read appropriate chapters prior to class lecture/discussion.
· Communicate with instructor about concerns or problems in a timely fashion.
· Be aware that acts of cheating, lying, and/or plagiarizing will not be tolerated.
· Adhere to BCC’s Code of Conduct and Civility Code as stated in Student Code.
Instructor
Expectations/Responsibilities:
· Treat students with respect and civility.
· Be prepared for all class presentations.
· Conduct class with enthusiasm.
· Provide a learning environment that is diverse and enriching.
· Grade assignments and tests objectively.
· Return assignments in a timely fashion.
· Be available to assist students in their effort to succeed in this course.
Plagiarism includes copying or paraphrasing another's words, ideas, or facts without crediting the source; submitting a paper written by someone else, either in whole or in part, as one's own work; or submitting work previously submitted for another course or instructor. Plagiarism on any assignment will result in failure for that assignment and may result in further disciplinary action, including but not limited to failure for the course. Please refer to the Student Handbook for additional information regarding plagiarism and College regulations.
SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
STUDENT AND AGENCY AGREEMENT
Purpose of Agreement: It
is important for you to have a clear sense of what you would like to accomplish
and learn through your service work.
This agreement is designed to bring you and your site supervisor
together to record clear service and learning goals. Your supervisor may expect you to fill out
additional forms that his/her respective agency requires. (Due
Student Information
Student Name
Agency Information
Agency Name
Agency Mailing Address
Name of Supervisor or Volunteer Coordinator
Starting Date of Service
Ending Date of Service
(if undetermined, write “unknown” otherwise ending date will be near end of term)
To be completed by agency supervisor:
Please describe the expectations and requirements of this service project.
Identify skills students may learn and need to use to complete service project.
To be completed by student:
Identify the skills you believe you can bring to this agency.
Briefly describe what you hope to gain and learn from participating in this service project.
Student Agreement
As a student in the Burlington County College Service Learning Program, I agree to complete my service project to the best of my ability, work in collaboration with the agency supervisor, report any problems I encounter, and complete all other program requirements. In addition, I understand the seriousness of confidentiality in this matter and will report all information for this project in a depersonalized fashion.
Student Date
Agency Supervisor Agreement
As the agency supervisor for
this service learning placement, I agree to work with student(s) from
Agency Supervisor Date
Psy 259 Social Psychology
Annotated Bibliography
Topic Agreement
The topic of this paper must
be related to social psychology. Please
tear off the bottom of this sheet and hand in to me by
For your own records:
Your topic: _______________________________________
To be handed in to the instructor:
Name: __________________________________________
Your topic: _______________________________________