Social Psychology

Wesleyan University

About this Course

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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.

Learner Career Outcomes

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started a new career after completing these courses

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got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Flexible deadlines

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Beginner Level

Approx. 38 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified)

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.95/5 (875 Ratings)

Scott Plous
Top Instructor

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

Department of Psychology

335,500 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

33%

started a new career after completing these courses

33%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 38 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified)

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.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(38,690 ratings)

Week

Week 1

5 hours to complete

WEEK 1: Social Perceptions and Misperceptions

This week's goals are to: (1) learn what social psychology is and why it's worth studying; (2) take a "snapshot" of your thinking at the start of the course; (3) see how perceptions of reality are psychologically constructed; and (4) witness the shocking speed at which social judgments are made.

5 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 92 min), 13 readings, 3 quizzes

9 videos

Quick Course Overview3m

Lecture 1.1: Welcome, Social Psychers!8m

Lecture 1.2: Course Logistics: Some Rules of the Road11m

Lecture 1.3: Tour of Social Psychology Network and Invitation to Join11m

Lecture 1.4: The Psychological Construction of Reality12m

Lecture 1.5: Confirmation Bias8m

Lecture 1.6: Self-Fulfilling Prophecies11m

Lecture 1.7: Thin Slices: Social Judgments in the Blink of an Eye12m

Lecture 1.8: What Other People Think of You10m

13 readings

How the Course Works4m

Lecture 1.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 1.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 1.1 - Introducing Social Psychology1h 15m

Lecture 1.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

How to Join Social Psychology Network1m

Editing Your SPN Member Page1m

Lecture 1.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 1.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 1.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 1.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 1.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Bonus Reading 1.1 - On Being Sane in Insane Places15m

3 practice exercises

Snapshot Quiz, Part 1: Complete before Lecture 1.420m

Snapshot Quiz, Part 2: Complete before Lecture 1.410m

Assignment #1: The Random Assignment Assignment20m

Week

Week 2

7 hours to complete

WEEK 2: The Psychology of Self-Presentation and Persuasion

This week's goals are to: (1) learn how people explain their behavior and the behavior of others; (2) explore the link between attitudes and behavior; (3) understand what cognitive dissonance is and why it matters; and (4) gain some practical tips from the science of persuasion and social influence.

7 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 143 min), 12 readings, 1 quiz

9 videos

Lecture 2.1: Attribution Theory: The Whys and Wherefores of Behavior15m

Lecture 2.2: Some Twists and Turns When Explaining Behavior16m

Lecture 2.3: Is the Attitude Bone Connected to the Behavior Bone?15m

Lecture 2.4: Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception14m

Lecture 2.5: Two Flavors of Dissonance: Vanilla and Earthworm19m

Bonus Video 2.1: A Conversation with Elliot Aronson15m

Lecture 2.6: How to Be Persuasive15m

Lecture 2.7: Secrets from the Science of Persuasion (Guest Lecture)13m

Lecture 2.8: The Ins and Outs of Social Influence18m

12 readings

Lecture 2.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 2.1 - The Self in a Social World1h 30m

Lecture 2.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 2.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Peer Assessment FAQ5m

Lecture 2.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 2.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 2.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 2.2 - Two Routes to Attitude Change20m

Lecture 2.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 2.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 2.3 - Crafting Normative Messages to Protect the Environment15m

Week

Week 3

8 hours to complete

WEEK 3: Obedience, Conformity, and Deindividuation

This week's goals are to: (1) understand the psychological dynamics of obedience to authority; (2) review studies on group pressure and conformity; (3) learn about the dark side of deindividuation; and (4) consider ethical issues related to psychology research.

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)4m

Assigned Video 3.1: Obedience (Stanley Milgram's Classic Documentary)41m

Lecture 3.2: Obedience to Authority (Part 2: Watch After Milgram Video)22m

Bonus Video 3.1: Stanley Milgram Discusses His Electric Shock Generator1m

Bonus Video 3.2: What Was Stanley Milgram Like?10m

Lecture 3.3: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 1)13m

Lecture 3.4: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 2)11m

Lecture 3.5: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 1: Watch Before Quiet Rage)7m

Assigned Video 3.2: Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment51m

Lecture 3.6: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 2: Watch After Quiet Rage)10m

11 readings

Lecture 3.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 3.1 - Chapter 3 of Myers: Social Beliefs and Judgments1h 30m

Lecture 3.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 3.2 - Replicating Milgram: Would People Still Obey Today?30m

Bonus Reading 3.1 - How Nice People Get Corrupted20m

Lecture 3.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 3.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Bonus Reading 3.2 - Opinions and Social Pressure20m

Lecture 3.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 3.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Bonus Reading 3.3 - The SPE: Ethics and Extensions1h

Week

Week 4

5 hours to complete

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

This week's goals are to: (1) examine behavioral dynamics within and between groups; (2) see what happens when people fall prey to the Abilene Paradox; (3) read about social loafing, groupthink, and group polarization; and (4) learn effective ways to reduce prejudice and discrimination in daily life.

5 hours to complete

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

7 videos

Lecture 4.1: Group Dynamics and the Abilene Paradox11m

Assigned Video 4.1: The Abilene Paradox23m

Lecture 4.2: How Categorical Thinking Gives Rise to Prejudice14m

Assigned Video 4.2: Race: The Power of an Illusion9m

Assigned Video 4.3: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She23m

Lecture 4.3: The Minimal Group: From Dots to Discrimination in 60 Seconds11m

Lecture 4.4: When Intergroup Biases Don't Feel Like Biases20m

8 readings

Lecture 4.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 4.1 - Many Hands Make Diminished Responsibility15m

Bonus Reading 4.1 - Doing Together What We Would Not Do Alone15m

Reading 4.2 - How Groups Intensify Decisions35m

Lecture 4.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)

Lecture 4.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)

Reading 4.3 - Psychology of Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination1h

Lecture 4.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Week

Week 5

1 hour to complete

WEEK 5: Mid-Course Break

This week offers a chance to catch up on any course material that you've missed. There are no required videos or readings, but for those of you whose week wouldn't be complete without a little social psychology, please enjoy the optional materials in Week 5!

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings

2 videos

Bonus Video 5.1: Experiments in Change Blindness4m

Bonus Video 5.2: Hangout with Philip G. Zimbardo32m

4 readings

Bonus Reading 5.1 - Cyranoids20m

Bonus Audio 5.1: Buzzer3m

Bonus Audio 5.2: Stereotypes Drive Perceptions of Race5m

Bonus Reading 5.2 - How Social Status Shapes Race15m

Week

Week 6

7 hours to complete

WEEK 6: Helping, Hurting, and Peacemaking

This week's goals are to: (1) look at the factors that influence whether people will help one another; (2) examine the roots of aggression, violence, and terrorism; (3) learn psychological techniques to promote peace and sustainable living; and (4) carry out a personal experiment in which you spend 24 hours living as compassionately as possible.

7 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 108 min), 13 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Lecture 6.1: Bystander Intervention in Emergencies23m

Lecture 6.2: The Triggers of Aggression23m

Lecture 6.3: Countering Terrorism: Is Psychology Mightier Than the Sword?19m

Lecture 6.4: Halting the Lions of War by Taking the Third Side17m

Lecture 6.5: Israel and Iran: A Love Story?15m

Lecture 6.6: The Day of Compassion7m

13 readings

Lecture 6.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 6.1 - When Do People Help?20m

Lecture 6.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 6.2 - The Nature and Nurture of Aggression35m

Bonus Reading 6.1 - Heat and Violence15m

Lecture 6.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 6.3 - Causes of Conflict30m

Bonus Reading 6.2 - How Social Science Can Reduce Terrorism10m

Lecture 6.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 6.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Bonus Reading 6.3 - Psychology of Climate Change Communication1h

Lecture 6.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Honors Assignment: Small Group Discussion (Instructions)2m

1 practice exercise

Honors Assignment: Small Group Discussion (Quiz)30m

Week

Week 7

5 hours to complete

WEEK 7: A Happy End to the Course

This week's goals are to: (1) consider whether empathy is a "magic bullet" for addressing social problems; (2) learn what the most important ingredients are for a happy life; (3) find out what researchers have discovered about romantic attraction and close relationships; and (4) hear about additional resources and organizations if you want to continue studying social psychology.

5 hours to complete

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

7 videos

Lecture 7.1: Is Empathy a Magic Bullet?19m

Assigned Video 7.1: This Emotional Life: Understanding Happiness23m

Lecture 7.2: How to Buy Happiness14m

Lecture 7.3: Romantic Attraction and Close Relationships15m

Lecture 7.4: Concluding Remarks: Where to Go From Here17m

Bonus Video 7.1: Hangout with Mahzarin Banaji30m

Bonus Video 7.2: Hangout with Daniel Gilbert33m

7 readings

Lecture 7.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Lecture 7.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)10m

Lecture 7.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Reading 7.1 - Who Likes Whom?40m

Lecture 7.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)5m

Final Exam FAQ3m

Social Psychology Glossary (Study Aid)20m

1 practice exercise

Take the Exam Now1h

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.
What is the refund policy?
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
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.

Social Psychology