PSYC 2606 002 Social Psychology
Fall 2014
11:00 - 11:50 MWF Muen E0046
Dr. Diane Sasnett-Martichuski
Office location: Muenzinger D251-E
Phone: 303.492.4246 (I don’t check this one much)
Office Hours: Mondays 12-1:30 pm, Thursdays 10:30 am- 12 pm, or by appt.
E-mail Address:
(use a subject like “PSYC 2606”)
Wiki for class: Link from (go to Miscellaneous then Prof Sasnett-
Martichuski) or direct at
(login: ______; password: ______)
(includes syllabus, handouts, outlines with power point notes, practice exams, misc. links, etc.)
Login info can also be found on D2L. Grades will be posted on D2L.
Text: Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D., & Akert, R.M. (2013). Social Psychology (8th ed.), Boston: Pearson.
ISBN: 0-205-79662-1.
Clickers: Clickers are required for extra credit participation for this class. You need to bring your
clicker to class every day or you will not be eligible for the extra credit points. If you change
clickers in the middle of the semester, please inform Dr. Sasnett-Martichuski so she can
update her files.
Graduate Teaching Assistant:
Erin McPherson
Email: Phone: none
Office: Muen D354 Office Hours:
Welcome to Social Psychology!
Social psychology is the study of human interaction. This course is intended to provide an overview of
the basic knowledge, theories, and research methods in social psychology. You will learn the
answers to these and other questions:
• What causes gender differences in aggression? (aggression)
• Why do I feel a “chemistry” with some strangers, but I am not attracted to my good friend?
(attraction)
• How can I get more money out of my parents? (persuasion)
• Why do I like/dislike some people based on appearance alone? (social cognition)
• What is the best way to end strikes between unions and management? (conflict)
• If I expect a certain behavior out of someone, will I get it? (self-fulfilling prophecy)
• Why does my boss think I am stupid after I made only one mistake? (first impressions,
prejudice, social cognition)
• What internal beliefs influence how I interpret events around me? (self, social cognition)
• Why do some advertisements work better on me than others? (persuasion)
• Is prejudice against minorities declining in the US? (prejudice)
• Is it a good idea to have a panel of judges or just one judge in our criminal justice system?
(group decision making)
• Does the full moon affect behavior? (environmental psychology)
• Why do some athletes perform badly during the big game (like the Superbowl)? (social
facilitation)
REQUIREMENTS AND CLASS INFORMATION
1. Students are expected to read the assigned chapters.
2. The course format will be lecture- and discussion-oriented, with some class demonstrations
and exercises designed to facilitate learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions both during
and after class.
3. Attendance to lectures is required to get clicker extra credit. IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE
HONOR CODE TO CLICK IN FOR SOMEONE WHO IS ABSENT. Lecture material will be covered
on exams, so students are encouraged to develop regular attendance habits. In addition, there is a
positive relationship between attendance and grades, so it is to the student's benefit to attend.
4. Grades: There will be 3 unit exams each consisting of multiple-choice questions. Each
exam will cover only material covered since the previous exam. Each exam will be worth 100 points.
In addition, a second set of assignments (see below) is worth 100 points. Three exams (3x100) plus
assignments (100) make a grand total of 400 possible points. Makeup exams will only be given in
extreme cases, and will occur during finals week (exceptions are students on official
university business who should arrange to take the exam early). Make-up exams will be essay
in format. In addition to tests and assignments, each clicker day is worth about .05 percent added to
your final average in the class. If you attend and participate every day, you can get an additional 2%
added to your final grade. Grades are assigned according to University standards (i.e., 93-100 = A,
90-92 = A-, 87-89 = B+, 83-86 = B, 80-82 = B-, etc.).
5. Campus policies: Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make
every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have
conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or attendance. For exams, you should arrange to take
the exam EARLY (with two weeks’ notice). For anything else, see Dr. S-M before the dates in
question. There is a link to campus policies on the main wiki page for Dr. S-M.
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit a letter to Dr. S-M
from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed (for exam
accommodations provide your letter at least one week prior to the exam). Disability Services
determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact Disability Services at 303-
492-8671 or by e-mail at . Anything you tell me will be held in strictest
confidence.
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline.
Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics
dealing with differences of race, color, culture, religion, creed, politics, veteran’s status, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, disability, and nationalities. Class
rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to
address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in
the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See course wiki for detailed
campus policies and links.
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) is committed to maintaining a positive
learning, working, and living environment. The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran
status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and
activities. CU-Boulder will not tolerate acts of discrimination or harassment based upon Protected
Classes or related retaliation against or by any employee or student. See course wiki for detailed
campus policies and links.
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering
to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating,
plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All
incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (;
303-735-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be
subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including
but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). See course wiki for detailed campus
policies and links.
My classroom policy is that students may not use laptops, cell phones, or other
electronic devices during class.
ASSIGNMENTS
See course wiki for the assignments and due dates.
TOPICS AND SCHEDULE:
Week
beginning: Chapters:
8/25 Chapters 1, 2 (Intro, Methodology)
9/01 Labor Day Holiday - no classes - Sept 1
Chapters 2, 3 (Methodology, Social Cognition)
9/08 Chapter 3 (Social Cognition)
9/15 Chapters 3, 4 (Social Cognition, Social Perception)
9/22 Chapters 4, 5 (Social Perception, The Self)
9/29 Chapter 6 (The Self)
Exam 1: Friday, October 3 (chaps. 1-5 and lectures)
10/06 Chapters 6, 7 (Justifying our Actions, Attitudes)
10/13 Chapters 7, 8 (Attitudes, Conformity)
10/20 Chapters 8, 9 (Conformity, Group Processes)
10/27 Chapter 9 (Group Processes)
11/03 Chapter 9 and review
Exam 2: Friday, November 7, (chaps. 6-9 and lectures)
11/10 Chapters 10, 11, 12 (Attraction, Prosocial Behavior, Aggression)
11/17 Chapters 12, 13 (Aggression, Prejudice)
11/24 Thanksgiving Holiday - No classes this week
12/01 Chapters 13, SPA1 (Prejudice, Attaining a Sustainable Future)
12/08 Chapter SPA1, Environmental Psychology (notes in class)
(Last class: Friday, 12/12)
FINAL- Sunday, December 14th, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
FINAL EXAM: (chaps 10-13, SPA1, and lectures)