Theories in Social Psychology (481-0-1)
Instructors
Daniel C Molden
Meeting Info
Swift Hall 231: Wed 10:00AM - 12:50PM
Overview of class
This course is an advanced survey of theoretical approaches to studying social behavior. At the same time, it is also a course about the general nature of theory construction and theory testing in the field of Psychology. Thus, the goals of the course are for students to become familiar with the wide range of formal theories that drive social psychological research, but also to become skilled at evaluating the assumptions that underlie particular theoretical accounts of human social behavior and understanding what generally characterizes good theories. Learning how to design research that considers and tests alternative theoretical accounts for particular phenomena will be emphasized.
Registration Requirements
Graduate Standing
Teaching Method
The course will meet one per week for approximately three hours with a break in the middle. Each meeting will focus on the discussion of a handful of readings that are organized around a general theoretical approach. Some of these readings will often discuss broad, general models of human behavior, whereas others will discuss more specific models of particular types of behaviors. The discussion of these readings will be facilitated by at least two students each week. These students, with will be responsible for presenting the pros and cons of the theories featured for the week. My role throughout will be to generally assist the discussion leaders in their tasks, to chime in with additional background information where appropriate, and to generally keep the discussion moving forward.
Evaluation Method
Course grades will be determined by participation in and leading of weekly discussions (40%) and three written assignments that ask you to critically evaluate predictions derived from various theories (60%).
Class Attributes
Attendance at 1st class mandatory
Prerequisites apply, see description
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: Student must be part of the Psychology PhD program to enroll.