Social Psychology

Total Hours in Course162

Number of hours for lectures32

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours98

Date of course confirmation22.11.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Social Sciences and Humanities

Course developers

Sociālo un humanitāro zinātņu institūts

Jolanta Millere

Dr. sc. soc.

lect.

Leonards Leikums

Dr. phil.

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills about the regularities of psychological phenomena and processes of individuals, groups and organizations. The knowledge and skills acquired in the course will promote students' understanding of individuals' social behavior in the group and society as well as their development of their social skills. The course acquaints students with the history of social psychology, as well as phenomena and regularities related to individuals, social groups and organizations. The course deals with the interactions of psychological processes among individuals and social groups and the psychological regularities of intergroups and of the social environment. Students acquire knowledge of and practical skills in the field of social psychology.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge and understanding of the social phenomena and regularities of individuals and groups as well as the historical evolution of social psychology and the basic concepts of social psychology.
Skills - Able to find and evaluate the regularities of social consciousness and social behavior as well as the phenomena and regularities of individual social psychology
Competences - Independently deal with various social and psychological aspects, e.g. the basic principles of social behaviour and interaction; identify and analyse an individual's social roles in groups by using social psychology findings. (Discussions, independent work, practical work, tests, analysis of a scientific article, exam.)

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures’content (32 hours)
1. The place of social psychology in the system of psychological sciences. (2 hours)
2. Historical development and perspective of social psychology. (2 hours)
3. Schools and directions of social psychology. (2 hours)
4. Scientific concepts and theories of social psychology. (2 hours)
5. Personality in social psychology. (2 hours)
6. Theories of personality socialization. (2 hours)
7. Personality social behavior and concepts of social consciousness. (2 hours)
8. Personality statuses and roles. (2 hours)
9. Group social psychology. (2 hours)
10. Group typology and dynamic processes in a group. (2 hours)
11. Crowd and mass psychology. (2 hours)
12. Psychology of organizations. (2 hours)
13. The leadering and leadership. (2 hours)
14. Decision making and group conflicts. (2 hours)
15. Psychology of public relations. (2 hours)
16. Practical social psychology and modern social technologies. (2 hours)

Content of practical classes (32 hours)
1 1. Development of social psychology as a science. (2 hours)
2. Development tendencies of social psychology in 21st century. Test 1. (2 hours)
3. Scientific approaches of social psychology. Test 2. (2 hours)
4. Scientific concepts of neobehaviorism, cognitivism and psychoanalysis. (2 hours)
5. Personality theories and concepts in social psychology. (2 hours)
6. Socialization agents and mechanisms. (2 hours)
7. Social behavior and social consciousness. Practical work (2 hours)
8. Group typologies in social psychology. (2 hours)
9. Group dynamics, development and cohesion. (2 hours)
10. Crowd and collective behavior. (2 hours)
11. Social aspects of organizational administration. Independent work. (2 hours)
12. Phenomena of leadership and management. (2 hours)
13. Decision making in a group. (2 hours)
14. Possibilities of conflict resolution in a group. Discussion. (2 hours)
15. Principles of public relations management. Analysis and presentation of a scientific article. (2 hours)
16. Trends in social psychology nowadays. Analysis and presentation of a scientific article. (2 hours)

All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.

Requirements for awarding credit points

To obtain credit points, students must attend at least 80% of the seminars or complete all tasks added to e-studies as well as obtain a positive grade in three tests, present an individual paper and obtain a positive grade in the exam.

Study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with the Order of the Vice-Rector of Studies No. 2.4.-5/59 On distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. The students learn the topics included in the study course independently, using the materials created and placed by the lecturer in the e-studies (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics in distance learning is organised in the form of self-assessment tests, discussion forums and independent work, as well as in face-to-face or online consultations, lectures and final examinations according to the timetable.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The organization of independent work in the Social Psychology study course is based on independent studies of the analysis and application of the literature on various aspects of social psychology, using social psychology insights, which results in the development of practical and independent work on social psychological phenomena.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of the study course Social psychology (evaluation with a mark - exam) consists of:
1. Test on the historical development of Social Psychology (20% of the total grade)
2. Test on the theoretical approaches on Social Psychology (20% of the total grade)
3. Independent work on research of socio-psychological phenomena (20% of the total evaluation of the work)
4. Written exam - includes all topics covered during the study course. (40% of the total evaluation of the work)

Compulsory reading

1. Ellen P. Lamont (edit.). Social Psychology: New Research. New York: Nova Science Publishers Inc., 2009. 301p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://ej.uz/vkc9
2. Gruman JamiE A., Schneider Frank W., Coutts Larry M. (edit.) Applied Social Psychology. Understanding and Addressing Social and practical problems. Third edition: California: Sage publications Inc., 2017. 600p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://ej.uz/g3ii
3. Hogg M.A. Social Psychology. Fourth edition.: Prentice Hall, 2005.770p. Pieejams: http://www.yanchukvladimir.com/docs/Library/Essentials%20of%20social%20psychology%202010.pdf
4. Myers D. G. Exploring Social Psychology. Fourth edition. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2004. 466 p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: http://psyc604.stasson.org/Myers.pdf
5. Reņģe V. Sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. 2002.180 lpp.
6. Schultz P. Duane, Schultz S. Ellen. History of Modern Psychology. Tenth Edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning: Belmont. 2011. 436 p. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.uv.mx/rmipe/files/2017/05/A-history-of-modern-psychology.pdf
7. Vorobjovs A. Sociālā psiholoģija. Rīga : SIA "Izglītības solis". 2002. 340 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Latvijas Universitātes raksti, Psiholoģija, ISSN 1407-2157. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: http://dspace.lu.lv/dspace/bitstream/handle/7/34345/LU_Raksti_810_Psihologija.pdf?sequence=1
2. The Journal of Social Psychology. Published By: Psychology Press ISSN: 0022-4545. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/vsoc20/current
3. Psiholoģijas zinātne, tās metodes, izziņas virzieni, nozares un praktiskais pielietojums. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte. [Tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://profizgl.lu.lv/mod/glossary/view.php?id=20043&mode&hook=ALL&sortkey&sortorder&fullsearch=0&page=1

Notes

Compulsory study course for the faculty of Economics and Social Development academic bachelor study program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration".

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