Social Representations and Social Influence Processes

Code:

P752

Acronym:

RSPI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIPSI	14	Official Curricular Structure	4	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To present the main theories that were developed on attitudes, social norms and social representations as well as the different perspectives on persuasion and social influence. To discuss the different strategies of persuasion and social influence likely to lead to a change in attitudes and behaviors in various contexts, namely advertising, marketing, communication campaigns or political campaigns.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the semester, students must know the main theories that were developed on attitudes, social norms and social representations. They must understand the origin and functioning of everyday thought, be able to identify the factors and analyze the processes that operate in the processing of social information, and underlie social behaviors and practices. Students must still know the different perspectives on persuasion and social influence must be able to detect the factors and analyze the processes of persuasion and social influence, and the effects of these processes. They must be able to identify and resist to different strategies of persuasion and social influence, as well as to know how to use ethically the strategies likely to induce a change in attitudes, social representations, social behaviors and practices.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Attitudes, beliefs and behaviors

Social norms, normative behaviors and thought systems

Social representations and theories about the world

Social positions, social practices and social representations

Persuasion: definitions, models and main factors

Principles and strategies of interpersonal persuasion

Majority influence and minority influence: strategies and effects

Mass media: perspectives, strategies and effects

Advertising, marketing and communication campaigns

Social influence: resistance and ethics

Mandatory literature

Moscovici Serge 340; Social representations. ISBN: 0-8147-5630-1
Vala Jorge 570; Psicologia social. ISBN: 978-972-31-1478-2
Bohner, G. & Wänke, M. ; Attitudes and attitudes change, Hove: Psychology Press, 2002
Morales Domínguez José Francisco 300; Estudios de psicología social. ISBN: 84-362-4855-4
Cialdini, R. B.; Influence. Science and practice (4ª ed.). , Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon., 2001
Perloff, R.M.; The dynamics of persuasion (2nd edition), Lawrence Erlbaum, 2003

Teaching methods and learning activities

The program is divided into components, the theoretical aspects of which are presented by the teacher. Each component is also accompanied by a text (article or chapter) to be read by the students in preparation of the exposition made in classes. A practical part is dedicated to group discussions that are based on practical exercises that are made each week by the students and that are registered on filing cards that are handed over to the teacher for evaluation. Evaluation bears on the acquired theoretical knowledge and on the reflection developed during the semester (50% theoretical exam; 50% filing cards handed over).

keywords

Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Social psychology
Social sciences > Psychological sciences > Psychology > Applied psychology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho de campo	50,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance required in 75% of the classes

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is calculated through the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the theoretical and practical components of the discipline and is expressed on a scale from 0 to 20. The final grade is obtained by the following grade weighting: 50% of the grade obtained in the theoretical component and 50% of the grade obtained in the practical component. The assessment of the theoretical component is made on the basis of a written test consisting of four questions to be briefly answered and one question to be developed. The assessment of the practical component of the discipline is made on the basis of the carrying out of small weekly works of reflection/observation about the presented topics that will be discussed in group and handed over to the teacher. The assessment of these works results from the written presentation (60%) and the participation in the class discussions (40%). A minimum grade of 8 is required in all works/reports, activities or tests included in the assessment, and a final grade of 10 is necessary to complete the discipline. 

Examinations or Special Assignments

Small weekly works of reflection/observation in relation to the presented topics.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The final grade may be improved through a second participation in the written test of the theoretical component, but there is no possibility to improve the grade of the practical component.

Classification improvement

The final grade may be improved through a second participation in the written test of the theoretical component, but there is no possibility to improve the grade of the practical component.