This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module is concerned with contemporary concepts, theories and findings in this broad area of social psychology and how they may be applied with benefits for individuals, groups and society. We will address the question how individuals form and maintain an understanding of themselves, other people, and the world they are living in. Drawing on cognitive principles, we will study the processes that underlie human judgments, behaviour, and decision making in real-life contexts. Students will have the opportunity to develop new research to address an unanswered research question.
The module will be taught by lectures/seminars and private study.
Total Contact Hours: 22
Private Study Hours: 128
Optional to Psychology undergraduate programmes.
Available to Short-Term Credit students at the discretion of the school/module convenor.
Exam 2 hours 60%
Research Proposal (poster format) 1,500 words 40%
Short-Term Credit students whose registration ends before the summer exam period will undertake an alternative piece of coursework for 60% of the module mark. This assessment will assess the same LOs as the exam.
Reassessment methods: Like for Like.
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
• Selected empirical articles from leading journals in the field are a primary source of reading
• Kunda, Z. (1999). Social cognition: Making sense of people. London: MIT Press.
• H. Bless, K. Fiedler & F. Strack (Eds.) (2003), Social cognition: How individuals construct social reality. Hove: Psychology Press.
• Maio, G. R. & Haddock, G. G. (2010). The Psychology of Attitudes and Attitude Change. London, UK: Sage.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1. understand contemporary concepts, theories and findings in attitudes and social cognition.
8.2. critically evaluate concepts, theories and findings in attitudes and social cognition
8.3. conceive research to address limitations and gaps in concepts, theories and findings in attitudes and social cognition
8.4. demonstrate an awareness of how concepts, theories and findings in attitudes and social cognition may be applied with benefits for individuals, groups, and society.
8.5. appreciate the historical and conceptual issues in the study of Attitudes and Social Cognition.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1. present, interpret and discuss concepts, theories, and findings based on the use of the relevant literature
9.2. understand and appreciate the diversity of theoretical and empirical approaches in psychology
9.3. critically evaluate the quality of theories, methods and findings in published research
9.4. plan work and study independently
9.5. demonstrate use of information technology skills
9.6. express well-founded opinions, argue rationally, develop new perspectives and engage in critical thinking both orally and in written form
9.7. communicate effectively psychological theories, concepts, and findings
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