Hour #1: Introduction to Social Psychology; Social Cognition and Social Perception; Justifying Our Actions
Social psychology is the scientific study of the way individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations. Social psychologists seek to answer many questions that are relevant to our everyday lives. Students will discuss how we are influenced by our environment and by other people; how we come to know ourselves; how we form impressions of the people we meet and how we explain others’ behavior.
Hour #2: Attitudes & Attitude Change
Review of how attitudes affect us; where do attitudes come from - nature versus nurture.
Hour #3: Conformity - Obedience and Compliance
We will explore the reasons that people comply with demands even if the demands go against their beliefs; why do people conform to the majority? We will look at examples of researchers Solomon Asch, Milgram and the Infamous Shock experiment and Zimbardo's Prison Study. We will also look at how this research applies to cults. 
Hour #4: Prosocial Behavior/Group Processes
Students will focus on why people are sometimes helpful, but at other times aggressive or even cruel; the difference between altruistic acts and prosocial behavior will be discussed. The bystander effect and deindividuation will be defined and examples of each will be given. How group processes affect us will be discussed including social loafing and social facilitation, as well as the concept of groupthink and why it can have negative consequences. 

I am very much student centered. There will be hand-outs provided to the students as well as a powerpoint used during the course. 

They do not have to have prior experience to participate in this class. My young college students as well as the high school students & Middle School students I have presented this topic to have enjoyed it.