Module Code - Title:
PS6071
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SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND ATTITUDE CHANGE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The aim of this module is to give an overview to social influence and attitude change processes. An emphasis is given to the applicability of social influence and attitude change strategies to specific social contexts (e.g., advertisement, work environment, interpersonal, and inter-group relationships).
Syllabus:
Social influence and attitude change are two core issues in psychology. Human interactions involve different forms of social influence and changes in attitudes. In this module we will examine basic cognitive and affective levels as well as the more social levels (e.g., groups) which determine social influence and attitude change. We will review important, representative contributions to social influence and attitude change. We will provide a historical perspective on the development of theories and paradigms in these areas of research. In addition, we will discuss with students whether and how the prominent theories on social influence and attitude change can be applied to everyday life situations.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Understand the processes of social influence and attitude change.
Recognise the historical development of these theories.
Employ different prominent strategies of social influence and attitude change.
Defend the application of particular strategies in comparison to alternative strategies.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Acknowledge the variety of social influence and attitude change strategies and their theoretical backgrounds.
Value the usefulness of psychological strategies for social influence and attitude change.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught in lectures and lab sessions. Teaching will be in part peer led and mostly interactive. In addition, student will submit a written assignment that reflects critically on core articles on social influence and attitude change. Students will read books and journal articles.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Pratkanis, A. R. (2007)
The science of social influence
, New York: Psychology Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Cialdini, R. B. (2008)
Influence, science and practice (fifth edition)
, Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon (Pearson)
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A selection of up-to-date and classical journal articles will be read and discussed. We will primarily focus on publications in Psychological Science, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, the European Journal of Social Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Political Psychology, and Applied Psychology
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Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
jenny.roth@ul.ie