In today’s world we often wonder, why would someone do that? Why can’t we all just get along? What is going on in our culture? Social psychology answers those questions by looking at how people interact with each other and our world. This course will give an overview of social psychology from a Catholic perspective.
Total classes: 12
Duration per class: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade. Accelerated 10th-grade students welcome.
Suggested credit: One full semester Social Psychology or Psychology
Instructor: Kristi Moore, PhD
Instructor email: kristi.moore.homeschool@gmail.com
Course description: Social Psychology is the study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by other people or groups. This course will introduce the major topics in social psychology including attitudes, persuasion, aggression, and prejudice. Students will learn research in the field and be challenged to think critically about these studies and how they apply to the modern world through a Catholic point of view.
Parents should note that mature topics will be touched upon including gender, aggression, and stereotyping & prejudice.
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction to Social Psychology
Week 2: Social Learning
Week 3: Social Affect
Week 4: The Self
Week 5: Attitudes and Persuasion
Week 6: Perceiving Others
Week 7: Influencing and Conforming
Week 8: Helping and Altruism
Week 9: Aggression
Week 10: Working in Groups
Week 11: Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Week 12: Competition and Cooperation
Course materials: All materials will be provided FREE by the instructor.
Homework: There will be pre-recorded lectures to view in addition to the live classes. Students will take online quizzes and complete weekly written activities and discussion questions. An application paper applying social psychology topics to some form of media will also be required (approx. four to six pages). Expect to spend 1-3 hours per week on homework outside of class.
- Teacher: Kristi Moore