Social Psychology

O.P. Jindal Global University via Coursera

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

22 hours 18 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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This course offers an engaging introduction to social psychology, the scientific study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. It covers a wide range of themes such as social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, conformity, group dynamics, prejudice, aggression, prosocial behavior, attraction, justice, and applied social psychology. Through these topics, learners discover how social and cultural forces shape everyday behavior. The course brings together classic studies and modern perspectives and includes both Western and Indian examples, giving learners a broad and relevant understanding of human social behaviour. Learners will work through a mix of video lessons, readings, discussions, quizzes, and applied assignments. They will explore how people make sense of the social world, how relationships form and change, how group pressures influence decisions, and how psychological processes show up in systems like the legal and environmental sectors. The course also focuses on ethical questions, the role of cognitive biases, and how psychology can address real-world challenges. By the end, learners develop a strong foundation in understanding human behaviour and learn how to apply psychological ideas to social issues, personal interactions, and informed decision-making.

Syllabus

Introduction to Social Psychology

This course explores how individuals perceive, influence, and relate to others within a social context. It examines foundational topics in social psychology such as social cognition, attitudes, persuasion, conformity, group processes, prejudice, prosocial behavior, and aggression. Students will learn to apply theoretical models to understand social behavior and critically analyze cultural and contextual factors that influence psychological processes. The course emphasizes both Western and Indian cultural contexts. This module offers a comprehensive introduction to social psychology, the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. It examines the dynamic interplay between the individual and the social environment, highlighting how group membership, cultural norms, social influence, and interpersonal relationships shape human experience. Students will explore the historical development of the discipline, from its emergence at the turn of the 20th century to its current global and interdisciplinary relevance.Drawing on both Western and Indian perspectives, the module situates social psychology within diverse cultural frameworks, emphasizing how socio-cultural contexts influence the formation and expression of attitudes, identities, and behaviors. The course also differentiates social psychology from related fields such as sociology, which focuses on large-scale social structures, and personality psychology, which centers on enduring individual differences.Through engagement with landmark studies—including Norman Triplett’s pioneering work on social facilitation, Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments, and Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Study—students will critically assess the theoretical and methodological contributions that have shaped the discipline, as well as the ethical debates they have sparked.The module also introduces the scientific methods employed in social psychological research, including laboratory experiments, field studies, surveys, and cross-cultural approaches. Students will learn to apply these methods to analyze and interpret real-world social phenomena, such as prejudice, conformity, prosocial behavior, group decision-making, and digital-era interactions. By the end of the module, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of the scope and boundaries of social psychology in relation to allied disciplines. They will also gain the ability to critically evaluate both classic and contemporary research within varied cultural contexts. In addition, students will acquire practical skills in applying social psychological theories and methods to everyday interpersonal interactions as well as broader societal challenges.

Social Cognition: How We Think about the Social World

This module delves into the cognitive processes that shape how we perceive, interpret, and remember information about others. It emphasizes heuristics, schemas, attribution theory, and cultural influences on judgment.

Understanding Attitude

This module examines the structure, formation, and function of attitudes. It explores how attitudes influence behavior, how they are measured, and the psychological mechanisms of attitude change, including cognitive dissonance.

The Self

This module investigates the development and structure of self-concept, identity, and self-awareness. It explores philosophical, developmental, and sociocultural dimensions of selfhood, drawing on both Western and Indian thought.

The Psychology of Social Influence

This module examines how individuals are influenced by others through conformity, compliance, and obedience. Classic studies are revisited alongside culturally relevant examples, highlighting ethical considerations in persuasive influence.

Group Dynamics

This module explores how individuals behave in group settings, focusing on social roles, conformity, leadership, decision-making, and intergroup conflict. It applies theories such as social identity theory and discusses cultural dimensions of group behavior.

Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination

This module investigates the origins and effects of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. It examines psychological theories and real-world consequences, including stereotype threat, microaggressions, and caste-based discrimination.

Aggression

This module explores the psychological and biological foundations of aggression. It examines types, causes, and consequences of aggressive behavior and evaluates theoretical approaches to its regulation and reduction levels.

Pro-social Behaviour

This module investigates helping behavior, distinguishing altruism from prosociality. It covers evolutionary, cognitive, and cultural explanations, emphasizing conditions that promote or inhibit helping in emergencies and everyday life.

Interpersonal Attraction

This module explores the psychological foundations of attraction, love, and relationship maintenance, with a focus on both universal principles and Indian cultural contexts such as arranged marriages and family dynamics.

The Psychology of Justice

This module explores the dynamic intersection of psychology and the legal system, with a focus on the Indian context. It investigates how cognitive biases, memory distortions, social influence, and mental health impact legal decision-making, eyewitness testimony, and judicial outcomes.

Applying Psychology for a Better Life

This module examines the psychological dimensions of environmental crises and sustainability. It explores how human behaviour contributes to climate change, resource use, and waste, and how social psychology offers strategies to foster sustainable practices. Students will also reflect on the connections between sustainability and well-being, with examples from Indian and global contexts.