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    Overview

    Social psychology, applied psychology, and human factors.

    This paper examines theories and research in social psychology - the study of how people influence and are influenced by others - and provides an introduction to applied psychology, which covers many diverse subfields that involve using psychological knowledge to improve the conduct and well-being of individuals in real-world situations. We will give attention to both classic and contemporary theories about these problems and take a critical approach to the research used to test them.

    About this paper

    Paper title Social and Applied Psychology
    Subject Psychology
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,173.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    PSYC 111 and PSYC 112
    Restriction
    PSYC 202
    Schedule C
    Arts and Music, Science
    Notes
    With department approval a student who has attempted one only of PSYC 111 and PSYC 112, but who has achieved a grade of at least B and has passed additional papers worth at least 90 points, may take the other 100-level PSYC paper concurrently with any of PSYC 203, PSYC 210-PSYC 212.
    Contact

    psy.psyc200@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Lecturers: Dr Vanessa Beanland (Paper Co-ordinator)
    Professor Jamin Halberstadt

    Paper Structure

    This paper includes components on social psychology and applied psychology.

    Social psychology topics include:

    • Causal attribution
    • Attitudes and attitude change
    • Prejudice
    • Aggression
    • Altruism
    • Emotion
    • Self-perception
    • Group behaviour
    • Applied social psychology

    Applied topics include:

    • Human factors
    • Organisatonal psychology
    • Educational psychology
    • Traffic psychology
    • Using applied psychology research to develop evidence-based policy and practices

    Laboratory Work: Psychology is an empirical subject, and laboratory work is an integral and important component. Topics in the laboratory program are related to those covered in the lecture courses and involve key activities that form part of the internal assessment for this paper.

    Assessment:

    • Internal assessment includes weekly progress tests, two written assignments and a group presentation. Internal assessment contributes 60% to the final grade
    • External assessment involves a two-hour multiple-choice exam at the end of the term
    Teaching Arrangements

    Two 50-minute lectures each week; 25 lectures in total.
    A 2-hour laboratory each week for 9 weeks. For most laboratory classes and some lectures, students will be expected to do some pre-class preparation work, such as watching short informational videos provided via the online learning management system. 

    Textbooks

    Required Reading: Provided via Blackboard/eReserve Recommended Reading: Findlay, B. (2014). How to write a psychology research reports and essays (7th ed.). French Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia. [Hard copy and electronic forms both acceptable. Also available in limited numbers on library reserve.]

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will gain a basic background in social and applied psychology and learn to use the scientific method to test hypotheses in these areas.

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 12:00-12:50 9-13, 15-16, 18-22
    Friday 12:00-12:50 9-12, 15-22

    Practical

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend one stream from
    A1 Monday 09:00-10:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A2 Monday 13:00-14:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A3 Monday 15:00-16:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A5 Tuesday 09:00-10:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A6 Tuesday 13:00-14:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A7 Tuesday 15:00-16:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A8 Tuesday 17:00-18:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A9 Wednesday 09:00-10:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A10 Wednesday 13:00-14:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A11 Wednesday 15:00-16:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A12 Wednesday 17:00-18:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A13 Thursday 09:00-10:50 10-12, 15-16, 18-19, 21-22
    A14 Thursday 13:00-14:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A15 Thursday 15:00-16:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
    A16 Thursday 17:00-18:50 10-13, 16, 18-19, 21-22
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