Overview of Course

Have you ever been convinced that someone was upset with you because they didn’t respond to you, only to learn that their phone was turned off or they were on vacation? Have you ever noticed you act or speak differently around some people than you do around others? Social psychologists aim to understand the human mind and how personality impacts interpersonal relationships, group behavior, and interactions with other people. Furthermore, social psychology is the study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Our responses to most situations are strongly influenced by the social contexts around us, as well as social norms we internalize. In this course, students will learn about the research and theory of social psychology and how different social and cultural norms and expectations can influence how we process information about ourselves and others. Throughout the course, we will also consider how social identities (e.g. race, gender, sexual orientation) as well as culture and nationality play a role in how we make meaning of the world around us and how this applies to contemporary social problems.