At the end of the course, students will have acquired:

ü  in-depth knowledge of the main theoretical models and empirical research relating to social cognition (schemas, heuristics, causal attribution), the concept of self, cognitive dissonance, attitudes, aggression and social interaction;

ü  in-depth understanding of the phenomena of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, including their cognitive, motivational and social foundations, and intervention strategies;

ü  mastery of technical and disciplinary language to accurately describe the phenomena studied.

Students will be able to:

ü  apply the theoretical models learned (e.g., Frustration-Aggression Theory, Social Identity Theory) to the critical analysis of complex and current social phenomena, such as cyberbullying or intergroup conflict dynamics;

ü  interpret individual and group behaviours (e.g. conformity, obedience, aggressive acts) in light of the social cognition and social influence dynamics studied;

ü  develop an independent and scientifically based judgement on the multi-causality of psychosocial phenomena, avoiding simplistic or reductionist explanations.

UNDERSTANDING SELF AND THE SOCIAL WORLD

Social cognition: How we think about the social world 

Social perception: how we come to understand others

Social representations

The self: How we come to understand ourselves in social context 

Cognitive dissonance and the need to protect our self-esteem 

SOCIAL INFLUENCE

Attitudes and their change: influencing thoughts and emotions

Stereotypes and prejudice: causes, consequences and remedies

Conformity and obedience 

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Aggression

The psychology of aggression online

Group dynamics on the Internet

Cognitive dissonance

Obedience to authority

Aggressive behavior