Dr Sophie von Stumm QUE 3.22

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Psychology of Economic Life, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology and MSc in Social and Public Communication. This course is available on the MPhil/PhD in Psychological and Behavioural Science. This course is not available as an outside option.

This course is a compulsory component of courses: PB401 Contemporary Social and Cultural Psychology; PB402 Organisational and Social Psychology; PB404 The Social Psychology of Communication; and PB403 Psychology of Economic Life.

What is the relevance of psychological and behavioural science for research and society today? How can psychological and behavioural science help us to understand people, economic life, organisations, culture and communication? What are key developments, ideas and findings from psychological and behavioural science?

Each week we tackle key questions and debates in psychological and behavioural science through an examination of its central theories, approaches and findings. For example we ask: Do attitudes predict behavior? Do people change in the way thy think, feel and behave across the lifespan? Is intergroup conflict inevitable? Are there cultural differences in how we think? Are some people more pro- social than others? How should we promote effective social change?

These questions will be addressed through the introduction of the main theories and research paradigms in psychological and behavioural science, including cognition, communication, societal psychology, individual differences, attitudes and participation. The course will provide a comprehensive background to contemporary psychological and behavioural science, as well as covering advanced materials and critiques of recent developments. 

20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of seminars in the MT.

None.

Hogg, M., & Vaughan, G. (2013) Social Psychology. Harlow: Pearson.

The material covered in this course contributes to the formal assessment of the PB401, PB402, PB403, and PB404. There is no independent assignment associated with this course.