Social Psychology

Code:

LPSI200

Acronym:

PS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Psychology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Psychology
Course/CS Responsible:	First degree in Psychology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LPSIC	180	Official Curricular Structure	2	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Students are expected to:

1. Understand the major theoretical frameworks of Social Psychology and their relation to individual, group and contextual characteristics;

2. Assimilate key concepts, theories, models and research concerning self- and other-perception and judgment, social determinants of thought and behaviour, and the processes underlying social tensions and intragroup dynamics;

3. Understand the usefulness of these theories and models as analytical frameworks for interpreting concrete social contexts, including phenomena related to diversity, exclusion and social inequality;

4. Develop a critical appropriation of the methodological and empirical discourse of Social Psychology, enabling them to analyse the production of knowledge in the field, actively participate in its construction, and apply it in the reflection and intervention on contemporary social challenges, in line with the principles of social responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

1. Understand the major theoretical frameworks of Social Psychology and relate them to individual, group and contextual characteristics;

2. Assimilate key concepts, theories, models and research findings on phenomena such as self- and other-perception, social judgment, the social determinants of thought and behaviour, social tensions, and intragroup processes;

3. Critically use these theories and models as tools for analysing concrete social contexts and intervening in relevant social issues, such as prejudice, discrimination, racism or sexism;

4. Appropriately engage with the methodological and empirical discourse of research in Social Psychology, enabling them to analyse the production of knowledge in the field, encouraging their active participation in this discourse, and applying it both within scientific and non-scientific communities;

5. Understand and intervene in diverse social contexts, promoting critical thinking, social responsibility, and a commitment to a more just, inclusive and sustainable society.

Working method

Presencial

Program

I. “Psychology of everyday life”

.attribution theories

.impression formation

.implicit personality theories

.cognitive schemata and social judgment

II. Social cognition and emotion

.primacy of preferences over inferences

.socio-cognitive and socio-cultural theories of emotion

III. Attitudes, opinions and behavior

.attitude structure and function

.attitudes and behavior

IV. Social representations

.information dispersion and inferential pressure

.objectivation and anchoring

.information, attitude and representation field

.central node theory

.psychosocial anchoring theory

V. Social influence

.obedience

.norm formation

.conformity

.innovation

VI. Stereotypes and intergroup relations

.prejudice, and discrimination

.subtle racism, aversive racism, and benevolent sexism

.stereotypes and intergroup contact

.cognitive models of stereotype change

.theories of intergrou conflict

.the social identification approach

VII. Group dynamics

.affiliation and interdependence

.socialization and group development

.leadership and deviance

.group tasks and performance
. intragroup conflict

Mandatory literature

Abrams, D., Hogg, M. A., & Marques, J. M. ; The Social Psychology of Inclusion and Exclusion, 2005
D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey; The Handbook of Social Psychology, Mc-Graw-Hill, 1998
D. Forsyth; Group Dynamics, Brookes/Cole, 1990
Hogg, M. A. & Vaughan, G. M. ; Social Psychology, Pearson Education, 2014
J-F. Leyens; Teorias da Personalidade na Dinâmica Social, Verbo., 1987
Manstead, A. S. R. & Hewstone, M. ; The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Psychology, Blackwell, 1996
Manstead, A. S. R. & Hewstone, M. ; The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Psychology, Blackwell, 1996
Vala, J. & Monteiro, M. B. ; Psicologia Social, Gulbenkian, 2013

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes are organised by topic:

1. concepts, theory and research, key conclusions;

2. state of the art (contrasting or competing theories and models);

3. theoretical and methodological debates and concrete social implications.

Integration of theory and practice:
Application of theoretical frameworks to the analysis of a current social phenomenon, using appropriate scientific and methodological language, specifically acquired through the corresponding theoretical content.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	10,00
Estudo autónomo	75,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Trabalho de campo	12,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Mandatory attendance of 75% of the practical classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation: The distributed evaluation with final evaluation reflects the theoretical - practical classes coordination. Mandatory (a) attendance of 75% of the practical classes, and (b) obtainment of the minimal grades of 7.50/20 (37.5%) at the theoretical exam and at the practical classes (team project). The final grade is the weighted sum of the two grades and must not be inferior to 9.50/20 (45%):

Final grade = Theoretical X .80 + Practical X .20