How are thoughts, feelings, and behaviors impacted by other people or social norms? In this class, we will cover major topics in the field of social psychology. Social psychology encompasses a large variety of topics including: aggression, leadership, social norms, prejudice, helping behavior, friendship/romantic relationships, group behavior, conformity. 

I will post several recorded video lectures, an assignment, a critical thinking question, and a quiz. Learners are welcome to turn in their completed work to receive feedback and a grade. 

Here's the list of topics we'll cover:

Topic #1: Introduction
•	What is social psychology?
•	Research methods
•	Assignment: Analyze a research article

Topic #2: Self-esteem
•	Sociometer theory
•	Terror Management Theory
•	Research on the link between fame & death
•	Assignment: Analyze a research article

Topic #3: Attitudes
•	Attitudes matching behavior
•	Behavior matching attitudes
•	Stanford Prison Experiment
•	Assignment: Take an IAT test

Topic #4: Attitudes
•	Cognitive dissonance
•	Moral outrage & cognitive dissonance
•	Self-perception theory
•	Assignment: Imposter Syndrome

Topic #5: Group influence
•	Groups introduction
•	Asch conformity study
•	Social loafing
•	Assignment: Collect data on social loafing

Topic #6: Conspiracy theories
•	Why do people believe in conspiracy theories
•	Conspiracy theories & social norms
•	Thinking, fast & slow
•	Conspiracy theories & counterfactual thinking
•	Assignment: Research a conspiracy theory

Topic #7: Prejudice
•	Nature & power of prejudice
•	Understanding where prejudice comes from
•	Prejudice & safe spaces study
•	Assignment: Microaggressions

Topic #8: Prejudice
•	Stereotype threat
•	How rudeness can hide sexism
•	Racism and sexism on Survivor
•	Children and race
•	Assignment: Analyze an article

Topic #9: Aggression
•	Aggression introduction
•	How do people feel after taking revenge
•	The Chessboard Killer
•	Assignment: Research a crime

Topic #10: Cults
•	Social identity theory
•	Self-categorization theory
•	Deindividuation 
•	Persuasion 
•	Assignment: Research a cult

Topic #11: Helping Behavior
•	Why do we help other people
•	When do we help other people
•	A study about helping other people in danger
•	A study on attending live theatre
•	A study linking watching violence & helping behavior 
•	Assignment: Bystander effect

Topic #12: Close relationships
•	Close relationships introduction
•	What leads to friendship & attraction
•	Attachment and hearing study
•	Compliments in the brain study
•	Assignment: Close interviews

Topic #13: Close relationships
•	Need to belong
•	Happiness & relationships study
•	Newlywed study
•	Mood in relationships study
•	Assignment: Ghosting

Topic #14: Environment and health
•	Resilience capacity & culture
•	Cultural differences in seeing meaning in stressful situations
•	Cultural differences in mental health stigma
•	Air pollution & criminal activity
•	Pain as social glue
•	Assignment: Critical analysis

No prior knowledge of psychology is needed.