Course code Psih3010

Credit points 3

Social Psychology

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures22

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes10

Independent study hours49

Date of course confirmation20.04.2011

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developer

author lect.

Jānis Pāvulēns

Mg. ed.

Course abstract

Students acquire knowledge about main categories of social psychology, acquire skills to apply knowledge of social psychology in solving practical tasks. During investigation on the entrepreneur's social-psychological portrait, students evaluate their advantages and disadvantages in the chosen field of activity.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge: able to characterize basic concepts and research methods of social psychology - quiz
understands the regularities of social behaviour necessary for successful entrepreneurship - 1st homework
Skills: able to explore and evaluate social behaviour using the theoretical foundations and skills acquired – 3rd to 5th homework;
Competence: able to acquire, select, analyse and present information by conducting research in social psychology corresponding to the chosen profession, independently– 1st & 2nd homework

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time intramural studies:
1. Psychology as a science. The role of psychology in business and entrepreneurship – 2h
2. Basic concepts and research methods of social psychology - 2h
Quiz – basic concepts and research methods of social psychology
3. Attitudes in social psychology. Investigation of attitudes - 2h
4. The role of attitudes in motivation of social behaviour. Formation and persistence of attitudes - 2h
5. Social perception. First impression, attributions, social judgments – 2h
6. Stereotypes and prejudice - 2h
7. Social influence. Conformity, consent, subordination - 2 h
8. Self in social psychology. The role of self-schemes, self-esteem, self-efficacy, locus of control, and level of aspirations in professional communication - 2 h
9. Verbal and non-verbal communication - 2h
10. Emotional intelligence in the client-centred communication - 2 h
11. Aggression and antisocial behaviour - 2h
12. Interpersonal conflicts - 2h
13. Behaviour in conflict situations. Conflict resolution - 2h
14. Social groups. Standards, roles, leadership, communication in groups, group cohesion - 2h
15. Group processes. Social facilitation, social loafing, deindividuation in the group - 2h
16. Presentation of the 1st homework. Social-psychological portrait of a successful entrepreneur - 2 h
Part time extramural studies:
All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

A formal test by summing up a student‘s performance during a semester without an additional examination or test at the end of a study course.
Quiz and homework must be credited.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The 1st homework. Social-psychological portrait of the entrepreneur (the homework must be presented in the student group at the end of the course and submitted electronically before the presentation)
The 2nd homework. Investigation and evaluation of the attitudes (up to 4 pages, submitted electronically)
The 3rd homework. Self-assessment of own self-esteem, locus of control and level of aspirations (up to 1 page, submitted electronically)
The 4th homework. Self-assessment of emotional intelligence (up to 1 page, submitted electronically)
The 5th homework. Self-assessment of conflict management styles (amount up to 1 page, submitted electronically)

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Homework and quizzes are evaluated in accordance with the assessment procedure specified in the homework or quiz.
Each homework and quiz are evaluated in a 10-point grading system, where 10 is the maximum, and 4 is the pass mark.
The formal test grade is calculated as the average of the mark of the 1st homework and the average mark of the semester, which is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks of the quizzes and homework taken in the study course.

Compulsory reading

1. Dickerson P. Social Psychology: Traditional and Critical Perspectives. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2011. 496 p.
2. Reņģe V. Mūsdienu organizāciju psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2007. 215 lpp.
3. Goulmens D. Tava emocionālā inteliģence. Rīga : Jumava, 2001. 461 lpp.

Further reading

1. Psiholoģija 2. Personība, grupa, sabiedrība, kultūra. K. Mārtinsone, A. Miltuze. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2015. 304 lpp.
2. Garleja R. Grupu sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga: LU, 1991. 123 lpp.
3. Psiholoģija. Latvijas Universitātes raksti, 729. sējums. Rīga, LU, 2008. 92 lpp.
4. Reņģe V. Sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2002. 180 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Biznesa Psiholoģija. Pieejams: http://www.biznesapsihologija.lv/
2. Social Psychology Network. Pieejams: https://www.socialpsychology.org/
3. Goleman D. Leadership That Gets Results. Harvard Business Review, March–April 2000, p. 17–28. Pieejams: http://www.powerelectronics.ac.uk/documents/leadership-that-gets-results.pdf

Notes

Compulsory study course in professional higher education bachelor’s study programs Entrepreneurship and Business Management, and Catering and Hotel Management.