4.7
stars
4,542 ratings

Scott Plous

577,431 already enrolled

Offered By

Social Psychology

Wesleyan University

About this Course

210,124 recent views

Ever wonder why people do what they do? This course—which includes more than $1,000 of video and reading materials—offers some answers based on the latest research from social psychology. Students taking the course for a Certificate will also receive free membership in Social Psychology Network (SocialPsychology.org).
COURSE DESCRIPTION FROM PROFESSOR PLOUS:

Each of us is dealt a different hand in life, but we all face similar questions when it comes to human behavior: What leads us to like one person and dislike another? How do conflicts and prejudices develop, and how can they be reduced? Can psychological research help protect the environment, and if so, how? This course offers a brief introduction to classic and contemporary social psychology, covering topics such as decision making, persuasion, group behavior, personal attraction, and factors that promote health and well-being.

Our focus will be on surprising, entertaining, and intriguing research findings that are easy to apply in daily life. The course will also draw from the websites of Social Psychology Network, the world's largest online community devoted to social psychology. I hope you'll join me for this course, have fun, and learn some useful information that enriches your life.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Beginner Level

Approx. 37 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Beginner Level

Approx. 37 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.91/5 (1,742 Ratings)

Scott Plous

Professor of Psychology; Executive Director, Social Psychology Network; recipient of the American Psychological Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching

Department of Psychology

577,431 Learners

1 Course

Offered by

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(64,183 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

5 hours to complete

WEEK 1: Social Perceptions and Misperceptions

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 92 min), 14 readings, 3 quizzes

9 videos

Quick Course Overview3mLecture 1.1: Welcome, Social Psychers!8mLecture 1.2: Course Logistics: Some Rules of the Road11mLecture 1.3: Tour of Social Psychology Network and Invitation to Join11mLecture 1.4: The Psychological Construction of Reality12mLecture 1.5: Confirmation Bias8mLecture 1.6: Self-Fulfilling Prophecies11mLecture 1.7: Thin Slices: Social Judgments in the Blink of an Eye12mLecture 1.8: What Other People Think of You10m

14 readings

How the Course Works4mLecture 1.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 1.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 1.1 - Introducing Social Psychology1h 15mLecture 1.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mHow to Join Social Psychology Network1mEditing Your SPN Member Page1mLecture 1.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 1.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 1.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mRandom Assignment Assignment FAQ5mLecture 1.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 1.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mBonus Reading 1.1 - On Being Sane in Insane Places15m

3 practice exercises

Snapshot Quiz, Part 1: Complete before Lecture 1.420mSnapshot Quiz, Part 2: Complete before Lecture 1.410mAssignment #1: The Random Assignment Assignment20m

Week2

Week 2

7 hours to complete

WEEK 2: The Psychology of Self-Presentation and Persuasion

7 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 140 min), 12 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

Lecture 2.1: Attribution Theory: The Whys and Wherefores of Behavior15mLecture 2.2: Some Twists and Turns When Explaining Behavior16mLecture 2.3: Is the Attitude Bone Connected to the Behavior Bone?15mLecture 2.4: Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception14mLecture 2.5: Two Flavors of Dissonance: Vanilla and Earthworm16mBonus Video 2.1: A Conversation with Elliot Aronson15mLecture 2.6: How to Be Persuasive15mLecture 2.7: Secrets from the Science of Persuasion (Guest Lecture)13mLecture 2.8: The Ins and Outs of Social Influence18m

12 readings

Lecture 2.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 2.1 - The Self in a Social World1h 30mLecture 2.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 2.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mPeer Assessment FAQ5mLecture 2.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 2.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 2.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 2.2 - Two Routes to Attitude Change20mLecture 2.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 2.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 2.3 - Crafting Normative Messages to Protect the Environment15m

Week3

Week 3

8 hours to complete

WEEK 3: Obedience, Conformity, and Deindividuation

8 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 176 min), 11 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

Lecture 3.1: Obedience to Authority (Part 1: Watch Before Milgram Video)4mAssigned Video 3.1: Obedience (Stanley Milgram's Classic Documentary)41mLecture 3.2: Obedience to Authority (Part 2: Watch After Milgram Video)22mBonus Video 3.1: Stanley Milgram Discusses His Electric Shock Generator1mBonus Video 3.2: What Was Stanley Milgram Like?10mLecture 3.3: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 1)13mLecture 3.4: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 2)11mLecture 3.5: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 1: Watch Before Quiet Rage)7mAssigned Video 3.2: Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment51mLecture 3.6: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 2: Watch After Quiet Rage)10m

11 readings

Lecture 3.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 3.1 - Social Beliefs and Judgments1h 30mLecture 3.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 3.2 - Replicating Milgram: Would People Still Obey Today?30mBonus Reading 3.1 - How Nice People Get Corrupted20mLecture 3.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 3.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mBonus Reading 3.2 - Opinions and Social Pressure20mLecture 3.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 3.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mBonus Reading 3.3 - The SPE: Ethics and Extensions1h

Week4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

WEEK 4: Group Behavior: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 116 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Lecture 4.1: Group Dynamics and the Abilene Paradox11mAssigned Video 4.1: The Abilene Paradox23mLecture 4.2: How Categorical Thinking Gives Rise to Prejudice14mAssigned Video 4.2: Race: The Power of an Illusion9mAssigned Video 4.3: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She23mLecture 4.3: The Minimal Group: From Dots to Discrimination in 60 Seconds11mLecture 4.4: When Intergroup Biases Don't Feel Like Biases20m

8 readings

Lecture 4.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 4.1 - Many Hands Make Diminished Responsibility15mBonus Reading 4.1 - Doing Together What We Would Not Do Alone15mReading 4.2 - How Groups Intensify Decisions35mLecture 4.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)Lecture 4.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)Reading 4.3 - Psychology of Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination1hLecture 4.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Week5

Week 5

1 hour to complete

WEEK 5: Mid-Course Break

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings

Week6

Week 6

7 hours to complete

WEEK 6: Helping, Hurting, and Peacemaking

7 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 115 min), 13 readings, 2 quizzes

7 videos

Lecture 6.1: Bystander Intervention in Emergencies23mLecture 6.2: The Triggers of Aggression23mLecture 6.3: Countering Terrorism: Is Psychology Mightier Than the Sword?19mLecture 6.4: Halting the Lions of War by Taking the Third Side17mLecture 6.5: Israel and Iran: A Love Story?15mLecture 6.6: The Day of Compassion7mBonus Video 6.1: The Day of Compassion Award7m

13 readings

Lecture 6.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 6.1 - When Do People Help?20mLecture 6.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 6.2 - The Nature and Nurture of Aggression35mBonus Reading 6.1 - Heat and Violence15mLecture 6.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 6.3 - Causes of Conflict30mBonus Reading 6.2 - How Social Science Can Reduce Terrorism10mLecture 6.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 6.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mBonus Reading 6.3 - Psychology of Climate Change Communication1hLecture 6.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mHonors Assignment: Small-Group Discussion5m

1 practice exercise

Honors Assignment: Small Group Discussion (Quiz)30m

Week7

Week 7

5 hours to complete

WEEK 7: A Happy End to the Course

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 155 min), 7 readings, 1 quiz

7 videos

Lecture 7.1: Is Empathy a Magic Bullet?19mAssigned Video 7.1: This Emotional Life: Understanding Happiness23mLecture 7.2: How to Buy Happiness14mLecture 7.3: Romantic Attraction and Close Relationships15mLecture 7.4: Concluding Remarks: Where to Go From Here17mBonus Video 7.1: Hangout with Mahzarin Banaji30mBonus Video 7.2: Hangout with Daniel Gilbert33m

7 readings

Lecture 7.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mLecture 7.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)10mLecture 7.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mReading 7.1 - Who Likes Whom?40mLecture 7.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5mFinal Exam FAQ3mSocial Psychology Glossary (Study Aid)20m

1 practice exercise

Take the Exam Now1h

Reviews

4.7

1901 reviews

5 stars
85.22%
4 stars
8.70%
3 stars
1.64%
2 stars
0.98%
1 star
3.43%

TOP REVIEWS FROM SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

by VKMay 18, 2020

This has been the most engaging, interesting, and thought-provoking course I have ever taken on Coursera. Thank you Professor Plous and all of your colleagues who helped make this course possible!

by ANSep 26, 2020

Such a wonderful course, enlightening, compelling and fun! Professor Plous is an amazing source of education and kindness throughout the 7 weeks.

Thank you soon much for this learning opportunity.

by SMMar 13, 2021

A fundamentally important course that teaches about humans as social beings and how a myriad of factors affect those social relationships. Scott Plous is an excellent Social Psychology Instructor.

by NMMay 28, 2020

very interesting subjects and very helpful in explaining surrounding most experienced human behaviors, it's easy to reschedule course assignments dues , it was my pleasure to attend this course

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Do I need any preparation for this class?
No preparation is needed, but you're welcome to begin receiving Social Psychology Network news items and announcements from any of these sources if you use Twitter, Facebook, or RSS feeds:
PSYCHOLOGY HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-headlines
UNDERSTAND PREJUDICE: SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-prejudice
CLIMATE PSYCHOLOGY (Twitter):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/twitter-climate
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY NETWORK (Facebook):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/facebook
PSYCHOLOGY NEWS SERVICE (RSS Feed):
http://coursera.socialpsychology.org/rss
These resources are free to everyone (whether you enroll for a Certificate or not) and will connect you with the latest news, studies, and other developments in social psychology and related fields.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Social Psychology

Social Psychology

About this Course