Module Code - Title:
PS6171
-
SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND ATTITUDE CHANGE - ONLINE
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
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) and to solve social issues.
Syllabus:
Social influence and attitude change are two core topics in psychology. Human interactions involve different forms of social influence and changes in attitudes or resisting them. This module examines basic cognitive and affective levels as well as the more social levels (e.g., groups) which determine social influence and attitude change. Important, representative contributions to social influence and attitude change will be reviewed. Some historical perspective on the development of theories and paradigms in these areas of research will also be provided. In addition, students will consider the strengths and weaknesses of different social influence and attitude change strategies and how the predominant theories about 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 will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the processes of social influence and attitude change.
Employ different prominent strategies of social influence and attitude change to solve social issues.
Defend the application of particular strategies in comparison to alternative strategies.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate acknowledgement of the variety of social influence and attitude change strategies and their theoretical backgrounds.
Evaluate 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 content will be taught in online lectures accompanied by independent reading of books and journal articles. Coverage of the theory and research will promote knowledge and critical thinking fostering the development of the Graduate Attributes of Curious and Agile. Reflections around the impact of the social situation on people's behaviour will foster breadth in perspectives and responsible behaviour towards others particularly fostering the development of the Graduate Attribute of Responsible. In addition, students will submit an assignment that reflects critically on core articles on social influence and attitude change which develops the Graduate Attribute of Articulate.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Cialdini, R. B. (2014)
Influence, science and practice (5th edition).
, Allyn & Bacon
Vogel, T., & Wänke, M. (2016)
Attitudes and attitude change (2nd edition).
, Psychology Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Petty, R. E., Fazio, R. H., & Briñol, P. (2012)
Attitudes: Insights from the new implicit measures.
, Psychology Press
Pratkanis, A. R. (2007)
The science of social influence.
, Psychology Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSPSSCTFA - PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
jenny.roth@ul.ie