PSY4115 – Current Topics in Social Psychology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Humans evolved as an ultrasocial species who must coordinate and collaborate closely to get along. Starting with the discoveries that even preverbal infants prefer helpers over hinderers and represent social dominance, the field of early social cognitive development has seen a scientific revolution in the last decade. We now know that even before they learn to speak, babies have a rich and sophisticated understanding of their social world that likely undergirds adult psychology, such as, for instance, expectations and preferences about equality, group membership, leadership, and care.
This course will focus on the origins of the human social mind - and the most basic, shared rules for social coordination that even babies use to make sense of their social world.
In the beginning of the class, we will decide on which specific social phenomena to focus. We will read, present and discuss ‘real’ scientific articles in seminars, looking closely at both their theory and methods, and we will brainstorm together about alternative studies to test whether babies understand specific aspects of the social world.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
You will be able to:
- Give an overview of most recent developments in social psychology
- Explain a few new theories in depth
- Connect recently developed theories and methods to their historical roots
- Apply criteria to evaluate new theories and methods
Skills
The course advances the acquisition of skills regarding social-psychological theories and methods. After completing this course, students know how to:
- Critically compare different theories and methods and find commonalities and differences.
- Distinguish similar theoretical constructs from each other
- Lead theoretical and methodological discussions
- Evaluate new theories and methods
- Develop outlines of a new theoretical approach
- Write on current topics in social psychology for the public
General competence
In terms of general competence, students can:
- Deal with larger bodies of scientific texts about the same topic
- Evaluate theory and research
- Delineate the ethical problems connected to new methods
- Outline new theoretical proposals
- Present theories and methods in social psychology
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
This course builds on prior knowledge. Students must have a course in introductory social psychology equivalent to PSY1101 – Innf?ring i sosial - og personlighetspsykologi (discontinued). Course PSY4111 – Applied Social Psychology is recommended but not mandatory.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with PSYM4115 – Current Topics in Social Psychology.
Teaching
The teaching will be given through lectures and seminars. The teaching will be in English. All classes are compulsory. We expect you to participate actively in various classroom assignments, either alone or in small groups.
Compulsory tuition activities
- Attendance must be at least 80%.
Compulsory tuition activities are valid for the 2 next semesters after approval date.
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Examination
The exam is an individual written assignment that is to be submitted by the end of the course. The assignment may vary from semester to semester.
Examination support material
All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.