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FORMAT FOR COURSE CURRICULUM
Course Title: Introduction to Social Psychology
Course Level: UG
TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS
03
Credit Units: 03
Course Code:
Course Objectives:
•
This course will provide impart knowledge on individual’s relation to society, the processes involved therein and manner of research done. .
•
Students will expand knowledge about social psychology and human behavior.
•
Students will be aware of the major problems and issues in the discipline of social psychology.
•
Enable students to recognize the limits in generalizing psychological research to all cultural/gender/ethnic/age groups, and understand the dynamics of
intergroup relationships, conflict, and cooperation
Pre-requisites: Basic General Psychology
Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weightage (%)
Module: Historical perspective
 Social psychology and individual behaviour; social psychology in the 21st century;
 Multidisciplinary approach in social psychology and application of social psychology to different disciplines.
15%
Module II Attitudes
 Formation of attitudes, the factors involved in formation of attitude; the components of attitudes, the differences
between attitude, belief and opinion; stereotypes and prejudices;
 Attitude change: the processes involved; Cognitive dissonance theory ; attribution theory; functional theory
and Kelman’s three-process theory
Module III Group processes
 Social motivation and socialization;
20%

Group dynamics; group decision making process
20%
Module IV Impression formation and Interpersonal attraction
 Impression formation and management; Schemas: mental framework for organizing and using social
information; potential sources of error in social cognition. Affect and cognition
 Moving towards friendship-similarity and mutual liking; interdependent relationship with family and friends vs.
loneliness. Factors contributing to interpersonal attraction; socimetry and its use in analyzing interpersonal
attraction
Module V : Prosocial behaviour
Responding to emergency; explaining prosocial behaviour and why people help.
25%
20%
Theory of Pro-social behaviour
Student Learning Outcomes:
 Develop insight and analyze the contribution of social psychologists to the understanding of human society
 Evaluate effective strategies in socialization, group processes (both inter and intra group), and interpersonal processes and helping behaviour
 Ability to chart the progression of theories in major areas in Social Psychology.
 Interpret attitude formation and various methods to be used to change the attitude.
Pedagogy for Course Delivery:
The class would be an amalgamation of theory and practical with focus on discussions as a mode of information dissemination and knowledge
generation. Students would be exposed to case studies in the field of criminal behaviour thereby enabling them to comprehend the psychological
antecedents to the same. Case presentation and subsequent critical evaluation would also help in strengthening the practical building process
Assessment/ Examination Scheme:
Theory L/T (%)
Lab/Practical/Studio (%)
End Term Examination
100%
NIL
70Marks
Theory Assessment (L&T):
Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment
Components (Drop
down)
End Term
Examination
Class presentation
Class Test
Assignment
Attendance
Weightage (%)
10%
10%
5%
5%
70%
Text & References:
 Baron, R.A., and Byrne D., (2002), Social Psychology, (10th Ed.), Prentice Hall of India Private Limited, New Delhi.
 Dalal, A.K. & Mishra Girishwar (Ed.) (2001) – New Directions in Indian Psychology, Vol. 1, : Social Psychology, Sage Publication.
 Dalal, A.K. (1988). Attribution theory and research. Wiley Eastern, New Delhi