Module PSYC3377: Norms and Social Influence

Department: Psychology

PSYC3377: Norms and Social Influence

Prerequisites

• 40 credits from C800 Psychology Level 2 modules

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To understand advanced principles of social influence and their application to behaviour change

Content

• This module examines the psychology social norms and social influence.
• Topics can vary from year to year but are likely to inlcude studies of classic and contemporary research on social norms, obedience, conformity and models of minority and majority influence, and how these findings can be applied to private, public and third sector problems.
• The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology.

Learning Outcomes

• Detailed knowledge of a range of specific research topics and methods in the field of behavioural science.

• Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately.

• Good written communication skills
• Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
• Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, some small group work, audio-visual materials, discussions and detailed reading lists
• These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of the key theories and the skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
• The summative exam will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
• An assessment of the range, recency and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the essay
• The use of group discussions / small group work will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
• Lectures, discussions and small group work will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
• The summative exam assesses students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies and their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critically in written form in response to a set question
• The use of a summative written examination will ensure that students' written communication skills are assessed.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University