Module Code - Title:

PS4047 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

PS4011

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To build upon previous introductory modules in social psychology by providing comprehensive indepth coverage of the core areas of the subdiscipline as well as alternative critical perspectives To introduce students to more advanced epistemological and methodological debates in the subdiscipline as well as to historical and cultural variations in social psychological research

Syllabus:

Social psychology is a 'broad church' in terms of the values, theories and methods applied across the subdiscipline. More than other areas of psychology it also reflects the contemporary concerns and values of the societies in which it occurs. The purpose of this module is to provide students with a more indepth knowledge of the core topics of social psychology, but also to put these topics in their socio-political and historical context and to critically evaluate psychological research from different epistemological and methodological grounds. Topics will include: advanced group processes; intergroup conflict; discursive social psychology; measurement in social psychology; critical perspectives in social psychology.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Understand key themes and debates within social psychology Analyse social psychological research findings from different theoretical perspectives Critically evaluate empirical claims made within the social psychological literature Construct an argument based on critical evaluation of research literature

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Value different theoretical and methodological approaches within social psychology Challenge mainstream perspectives in social psychology from critical perspectives

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

Demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Lectures, seminars, fieldwork

Prime Texts:

Potter & Wetherell (1987) Discourse and Social Psychology , Sage

Haslam (2004) Psychology in Organisations , Sage

Hogg & Vaughn (2007) Social Psychology , Prentice Hall

Other Relevant Texts:

Danziger (1997) Naming the Mind , Sage

Tajfel (1978) Differentiation between social Groups , Academic Press

Billig (1996) Arguing and Thinking , Cambridge

Brown (1995) Prejudice , Blackwell

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BACHELOR OF ARTS

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY

BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

mike.quayle@ul.ie