Social Psychology of Groups

Code:

POST02

Acronym:

PSG

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Psychology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MPSI	31	Plano de Estudos 2021	1	-	6	54	162
MTP	4	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: referências bibliográficas em inglês, orientação do trabalho de investigação em inglês

Objectives

Students are expected to understand and critically analyse the main phenomena studied in Social Psychology, based on the theoretical frameworks developed to explain intra- and intergroup processes and their underlying factors.

Furthermore, students are expected to develop research and intervention skills in group contexts, particularly in situations involving diversity, inequality, social exclusion and intergroup conflict, fostering social responsibility, critical thinking, and a commitment to a more just, inclusive and sustainable society.

Additionally, students should acquire the ability to design and implement an experimental study on intra- and intergroup relations.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the main theories developed in Social Psychology regarding intra- and intergroup processes and the underlying factors involved;

• Develop skills in critical analysis, research and intervention related to intra- and intergroup processes, both in professional contexts relevant to Organisational, Social and Work Psychology, and in basic research contexts focused on group relations;

• Critically analyse group phenomena in diverse and multicultural contexts, with particular attention to the promotion of inclusion and the prevention of social exclusion, especially in situations involving prejudice, discrimination or inequality;

• Apply the acquired knowledge to the planning and implementation of evidence-based interventions that address contemporary social challenges, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions);

• Strengthen their commitment to social responsibility and to the construction of inclusive, cooperative, ethical and sustainable group contexts.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Social Psychology

Research Methods in Psychology

Program

Psychological definitions of the “Group” concept

   Groups as crowds

   Groups as face-to-face interactions

   Groups as social categories

Psychological functions of the Group

   Affiliation, interdependence, and cohesiveness

   Social reality and belief sharing

   Self-efinition and behaviour regulation

 

Theories of intragroup processes

   Social facilitation

   Leadership

   Norm formation and compliance

   Informal social communication and social comparison

   Deindividuation and anti-social behaviour

   Performance and productivity

   Group decision-making

   Conformity, deviance, and innovation

   Group members’ socialization and role transitions

 

Theories of intergroup processes

   Ethnocentrism and authoritarianism

   Socio-cultural approach to stereotypes and social roles

   Cognitive approaches to stereotypes

   Intergroup conflict and cooperation

   Prejudice, outgroup homogeneity, and intergroup contact

   Social identity and intergroup relations

 

The social identification approach to group processes

   Intergroup differentiation, social affiliation, and ingroup conformity

   Social identification and social influence processes

   Subjective group dynamics: deviancce and leadership

Mandatory literature

Forsyth, D. R.; Group dynamics, Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2010
Hogg, M. A. & Abrams, D. ; Social identifications: a social psychology of intergroup relations and group processes, Londres: Routledge, 1988
Hogg, M. A. & Tindale, R. S. (Eds); Blackwell handbook of social psychology, Vol. 3: Group processes, Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1998
Abrams, D. A., Hogg, M. A. & Marques, J. M. (Eds) ; The social psychology of inclusion and exclusion, Philadelphia, PA: Psychology Press, 2008
Levine, J. M. & Hogg, M. A. ; Encyclopedia of group processes and intergroup relations, Sage, 2012

Comments from the literature

Students are expected to do autonomous bibliographic research

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures follow an expository method (presentation of theories, models and illustrative studies), combined with an active learning approach in practical classes (case studies, simulations, and the planning and implementation of a group research project). These methodologies aim to foster critical thinking, the application of knowledge to relevant social issues, and the development of analytical and intervention skills in diverse group contexts.

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Social psychology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	0,00
Elaboração de projeto	15,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	0,00
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Frequência das aulas	57,00
Trabalho de campo	0,00
Trabalho de investigação	40,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Continuous assessment with final evaluation.

To obtain attendance, students must work in groups to plan and carry out an experimental study on intra- and intergroup relations.

Each student must write an individual report on a topic of their choice from the course syllabus and contribute to a collective report on the group research project.

Students must:
a) attend at least 75% of the practical classes;
b) participate in at least three quarters of the tasks proposed in those classes;
c) carry out laboratory or field data collection work;
d) be co-authors of the final group research report.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade will be given by the formula:40% (research report) + 40% (lab study) + 20% (oral presentation).

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Identical do the above mentionned criteria.

Classification improvement

Final written exam in the format of a scientific report (100%).

Grade improvement may be undertaken until the resit period of the academic year in which the course was completed and requires the completion of an additional empirical study.