Module of Social Psychology: Fundamentals of Social Psychology
The course examines the main sociocultural, affective, and cognitive processes involved in social behavior, addressing topics such as the construction of social knowledge, self-concept, social representations, communication, mechanisms of social influence, interpersonal interaction, group processes, and the dynamics of service-producing organizations.
By the end of the course, the student should be able to:
Define the key constructs of the discipline;
Connect the learned constructs to one another;
Identify the main theoretical frameworks of the discipline;
Recognize the principal methodologies and intervention tools specific to the discipline;
Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts;
Use the learned theories to analyze a case.
The course is delivered through traditional lectures, integrated with practical exercises (case analysis, video viewing, and group discussions).
Module contents:
The origins, evolution, and areas of study of Social Psychology; the construction of social knowledge; the process of social categorization; stereotypes and prejudices; attitudes; the concept of the Self; social influence; aggressive and altruistic behaviors; social inclusion and exclusion.
Textbooks for attending students:
– Andrighetto L., Riva P. (Eds.) (2020), Psicologia sociale. Fondamenti teorici ed empirici, Il Mulino, Bologna (excluding Part Three).
In addition, one book of the following must be chosen:
Bertani B., Manetti M. (Eds.) (2007), Psicologia dei gruppi: teoria, contesti e metodologie di intervento, Franco Angeli, Milan (Part One).
Burr V. (2002), The Person in Social Psychology, Hove, Psychology Press (Italian translation: La persona in Psicologia sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004) (Chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Cavazza N. (2005), Psicologia degli atteggiamenti e delle opinioni, Il Mulino, Bologna (Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 7).
Mazzara B. (2007), Prospettive di Psicologia culturale, Carocci, Rome (Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9).
Migliorini L., Rania N. (2008), Psicologia sociale delle relazioni familiari, Laterza, Bari (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10).
Mucchi Faina A., Pacilli M.G., Pagliaro S. (2012), L’influenza sociale, Second edition, Il Mulino, Bologna (Chapters 1, 2, and 4).
Textbooks for non-attending students:
Bertani B., Manetti M. (Eds.) (2007), Psicologia dei gruppi: teoria, contesti e metodologie di intervento, Franco Angeli, Milan (all of Part One, and Chapters 1, 5, and 6 of Part Three).
Burr V. (2002), The Person in Social Psychology, Hove, Psychology Press (Italian translation: La persona in Psicologia sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004) (entire book).
Cavazza N. (2005), Psicologia degli atteggiamenti e delle opinioni, Il Mulino, Bologna (excluding Chapter 3).
Mazzara B. (2007), Prospettive di Psicologia culturale, Carocci, Rome (Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11).
Migliorini L., Rania N. (2008), Psicologia sociale delle relazioni familiari, Laterza, Bari (entire book).
Mucchi Faina A., Pacilli M.G., Pagliaro S. (2012), L’influenza sociale, Second edition, Il Mulino, Bologna (entire book).
NADIA RANIA (President)
BIANCA TALLONE
ILARIA COPPOLA (President Substitute)
CHIARA PECINI (President Substitute)
ANNA ZUNINO (President Substitute)
II semester (February 2022)
The exam consists of a written test.
By agreement with the teacher, it is possible to take the oral exam.
The test is structured through open questions that require the student to briefly present the fundamental concepts inherent to the course. The evaluation of the written test is based on criteria of relevance and completeness of the answers.
