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.
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.
What's included
9 videos14 readings3 assignments
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 92 minutes
Quick Course Overview•4 minutes
Lecture 1.1: Welcome, Social Psychers!•8 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Course Logistics: Some Rules of the Road•11 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Tour of Social Psychology Network and Invitation to Join•12 minutes
Lecture 1.4: The Psychological Construction of Reality•13 minutes
Lecture 1.7: Thin Slices: Social Judgments in the Blink of an Eye•13 minutes
Lecture 1.8: What Other People Think of You•11 minutes
14 readings•Total 141 minutes
How the Course Works•4 minutes
Lecture 1.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 1.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 1.1 - Introducing Social Psychology•75 minutes
Lecture 1.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
How to Join Social Psychology Network•1 minute
Editing Your SPN Member Page•1 minute
Lecture 1.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 1.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 1.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Random Assignment Assignment FAQ•5 minutes
Lecture 1.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 1.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Bonus Reading 1.1 - On Being Sane in Insane Places•15 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Snapshot Quiz, Part 1: Complete before Lecture 1.4•20 minutes
Snapshot Quiz, Part 2: Complete before Lecture 1.4•10 minutes
Assignment #1: The Random Assignment Assignment•20 minutes
WEEK 2: The Psychology of Self-Presentation and Persuasion
Module 2•7 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
9 videos12 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 140 minutes
Lecture 2.1: Attribution Theory: The Whys and Wherefores of Behavior•16 minutes
Lecture 2.2: Some Twists and Turns When Explaining Behavior•17 minutes
Lecture 2.3: Is the Attitude Bone Connected to the Behavior Bone?•15 minutes
Lecture 2.4: Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception•15 minutes
Lecture 2.5: Two Flavors of Dissonance: Vanilla and Earthworm•16 minutes
Bonus Video 2.1: A Conversation with Elliot Aronson•15 minutes
Lecture 2.6: How to Be Persuasive•15 minutes
Lecture 2.7: Secrets from the Science of Persuasion (Guest Lecture)•13 minutes
Lecture 2.8: The Ins and Outs of Social Influence•19 minutes
12 readings•Total 170 minutes
Lecture 2.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 2.1 - The Self in a Social World•90 minutes
Lecture 2.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 2.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Peer Assessment FAQ•5 minutes
Lecture 2.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 2.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 2.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 2.2 - Two Routes to Attitude Change•20 minutes
Lecture 2.7: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 2.8: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 2.3 - Crafting Normative Messages to Protect the Environment•15 minutes
1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
Assignment #2: What Social Impression Do You Make?•120 minutes
WEEK 3: Obedience, Conformity, and Deindividuation
Module 3•8 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
10 videos11 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
10 videos•Total 176 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Obedience to Authority (Part 1: Watch Before Milgram Video)•5 minutes
Assigned Video 3.1: Obedience (Stanley Milgram's Classic Documentary)•41 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Obedience to Authority (Part 2: Watch After Milgram Video)•23 minutes
Bonus Video 3.1: Stanley Milgram Discusses His Electric Shock Generator•2 minutes
Bonus Video 3.2: What Was Stanley Milgram Like?•10 minutes
Lecture 3.3: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 1)•14 minutes
Lecture 3.4: Group Pressure and Conformity (Part 2)•12 minutes
Lecture 3.5: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 1: Watch Before Quiet Rage)•7 minutes
Assigned Video 3.2: Quiet Rage: The Stanford Prison Experiment•51 minutes
Lecture 3.6: The Dark Side of Deindividuation (Part 2: Watch After Quiet Rage)•11 minutes
11 readings•Total 250 minutes
Lecture 3.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 3.1 - Social Beliefs and Judgments•90 minutes
Lecture 3.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 3.2 - Replicating Milgram: Would People Still Obey Today?•30 minutes
Bonus Reading 3.1 - How Nice People Get Corrupted•20 minutes
Lecture 3.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 3.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Bonus Reading 3.2 - Opinions and Social Pressure•20 minutes
Lecture 3.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 3.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Bonus Reading 3.3 - The SPE: Ethics and Extensions•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 30 minutes
Assignment #3: Post Some Questions or Comments•30 minutes
WEEK 4: Group Behavior: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
Module 4•5 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos8 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 116 minutes
Lecture 4.1: Group Dynamics and the Abilene Paradox•12 minutes
Assigned Video 4.1: The Abilene Paradox•24 minutes
Lecture 4.2: How Categorical Thinking Gives Rise to Prejudice•15 minutes
Assigned Video 4.2: Race: The Power of an Illusion•9 minutes
Assigned Video 4.3: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She•24 minutes
Lecture 4.3: The Minimal Group: From Dots to Discrimination in 60 Seconds•12 minutes
Lecture 4.4: When Intergroup Biases Don't Feel Like Biases•21 minutes
8 readings•Total 135 minutes
Lecture 4.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 4.1 - Many Hands Make Diminished Responsibility•15 minutes
Bonus Reading 4.1 - Doing Together What We Would Not Do Alone•15 minutes
Reading 4.2 - How Groups Intensify Decisions•35 minutes
Lecture 4.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•0 minutes
Lecture 4.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•0 minutes
Reading 4.3 - Psychology of Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination•60 minutes
Lecture 4.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Assignment #4: The Diet & Lifestyle Choices Interview•60 minutes
WEEK 5: Mid-Course Break
Module 5•1 hour to complete
Module details
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!
What's included
2 videos4 readings
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 36 minutes
Bonus Video 5.1: Experiments in Change Blindness•4 minutes
Bonus Video 5.2: Hangout with Philip G. Zimbardo•32 minutes
4 readings•Total 43 minutes
Bonus Reading 5.1 - Cyranoids•20 minutes
Bonus Audio 5.1: Buzzer•3 minutes
Bonus Audio 5.2: Stereotypes Drive Perceptions of Race•5 minutes
Bonus Reading 5.2 - How Social Status Shapes Race•15 minutes
WEEK 6: Helping, Hurting, and Peacemaking
Module 6•7 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos13 readings1 assignment1 peer review
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 115 minutes
Lecture 6.1: Bystander Intervention in Emergencies•24 minutes
Lecture 6.2: The Triggers of Aggression•24 minutes
Lecture 6.3: Countering Terrorism: Is Psychology Mightier Than the Sword?•19 minutes
Lecture 6.4: Halting the Lions of War by Taking the Third Side•18 minutes
Lecture 6.5: Israel and Iran: A Love Story?•16 minutes
Lecture 6.6: The Day of Compassion•7 minutes
Bonus Video 6.1: The Day of Compassion Award•8 minutes
13 readings•Total 205 minutes
Lecture 6.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 6.1 - When Do People Help?•20 minutes
Lecture 6.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 6.2 - The Nature and Nurture of Aggression•35 minutes
Bonus Reading 6.1 - Heat and Violence•15 minutes
Lecture 6.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 6.3 - Causes of Conflict•30 minutes
Bonus Reading 6.2 - How Social Science Can Reduce Terrorism•10 minutes
Lecture 6.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 6.5: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Bonus Reading 6.3 - Psychology of Climate Change Communication•60 minutes
Lecture 6.6: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Honors Assignment: Small Group Discussion (Quiz)•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Assignment #5: The Day of Compassion•60 minutes
WEEK 7: A Happy End to the Course
Module 7•5 hours to complete
Module details
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.
What's included
7 videos7 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 155 minutes
Lecture 7.1: Is Empathy a Magic Bullet?•19 minutes
Assigned Video 7.1: This Emotional Life: Understanding Happiness•23 minutes
Lecture 7.2: How to Buy Happiness•14 minutes
Lecture 7.3: Romantic Attraction and Close Relationships•16 minutes
Lecture 7.4: Concluding Remarks: Where to Go From Here•18 minutes
Bonus Video 7.1: Hangout with Mahzarin Banaji•31 minutes
Bonus Video 7.2: Hangout with Daniel Gilbert•34 minutes
7 readings•Total 88 minutes
Lecture 7.1: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Lecture 7.2: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•10 minutes
Lecture 7.3: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Reading 7.1 - Who Likes Whom?•40 minutes
Lecture 7.4: Further Readings and Viewings (optional)•5 minutes
Final Exam FAQ•3 minutes
Social Psychology Glossary (Study Aid)•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
Take the Exam Now•60 minutes
Instructor
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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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4.7
5,148 reviews
5 stars
85.40%
4 stars
8.65%
3 stars
1.63%
2 stars
0.99%
1 star
3.31%
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D
DN
5·
Reviewed on Mar 30, 2021
I believe that every student needs to take this course regardless of the student's major. I thank God that I took the course. I am grateful for the financial aid that enabled me to take the course.
J
JM
5·
Reviewed on Aug 15, 2020
Professor Plous made me understand the lessons because he explained well all the lessons, and he provided enough information about the Social Psychology. More power to Coursera and Professor Plous :)
E
EE
5·
Reviewed on Jul 6, 2020
Absolutely loved this course - great material and learning resources. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in an intro course to social psychology. Professor Plous is a fantastic teacher.
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):
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.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.
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.