PSYC 2606 002 Social Psychology

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)