Special Issues in Social Psychology

Code:

POST05

Acronym:

TEPS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Psychology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

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	9	Plano de Estudos 2021	1	-	6	54	162
MTP	3	Official Curricular Structure	1	-	6	54	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students
Obs.: Aulas dadas em inglês, com material e bibliografia em inglês

Objectives

To analyse psychological, social and cultural processes associated with social phenomena such as prejudice, discrimination, power, social conflict and extremism, in light of current research in Social Psychology.

Students are expected to develop a critical understanding of these phenomena, reflecting on their impact on social cohesion and respect for human rights, as well as on psychosocial intervention strategies that promote inclusion, social responsibility and democratic values, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning outcomes and competences

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

• Develop a rationale for analysing cases related to prejudice and discrimination, power and social conflict, extremism or consumerism, based on Social Psychology;

• Critically assess existing strategies and propose theoretically grounded intervention strategies for such cases;

• Understand the role of psychosocial processes in maintaining social inequalities and exclusions, and reflect on ways to promote inclusion, equity and social justice;

• Apply critical thinking to the analysis of current social phenomena, based on scientific knowledge and in dialogue with the principles of social responsibility, violence prevention, and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 5, 10 and 16).

Working method

Presencial

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

Social Psychology

Program

I.
Major trends in theory, research and intervention in Applied Social Psychology domains, that contextualize psychosocial processes related to phenomena perceived as problematic. Psychosocial processes to analyse: antecedents and consequences of prejudice and discrimination, intergroup power relations, social conflict, adherence to extremism and justified beliefs about non-egualitarian social organizations.

II.

Applied Social Psychology to the following cases (possible examples):

. Anti-semistism and propaganda (based on the Nazi propaganda film "Der Ewige Jude")

. Anti-semitism, victimization and social dominance (based in the Israeli documentary "Defamation")

. Compliance, identification, and alienation in a religious group (based on the documentary "Jonestown")
. Impact of religious thinking on people's attitudes, beliefs, and values (based on the documentary "Religulous")

These are stimula for analysis. The stimula can be changed throughout the years.

Mandatory literature

Oskamp, S, & Schultz, P. W.; Applied socia psychology, Simon & Schuster, 1998
Vala, J. & Monteiro, M.; Psicologia Social, Gulbenkian, 2013
Hogg, M. & Vaughan, G.; Social Psychology, Prentice-Hall, 2014
Eichengreen , B. ; The Populist Temptation: Economic Grievance and Political Reaction in the Modern Era, University Press, 2018
Hogg, M.A.; Extremism and the Psychology of Uncertainty, Blackwell., 2011
Moghaddam, F. M; Marsella, A. J. ; Understanding terrorism: Psychosocial roots, consequences, and interventions., American Psychological Association, 2004
van Prooijen, J.-W. & van Lange, P. A.; Power, Politics, and Paranoia: Why People are Suspicious of their Leaders. , Cambridge University Press, 2014

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository teaching in introductory classes, combined with an interactive approach through the presentation of theories (both complementary and opposing) and research explaining the social phenomena addressed, with an emphasis on group discussion.

Viewing and analysing concrete case studies, conducting autonomous bibliographic research, and designing and presenting a psychosocial rationale explaining the observed case and possible intervention strategies for this or similar cases.

The learning activities also aim to foster critical thinking and sensitivity to social issues such as prejudice, exclusion, inequality and extremism, encouraging social responsibility and a commitment to a more just and inclusive society.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	27,00
Frequência das aulas	54,00
Trabalho de investigação	54,00
Trabalho escrito	27,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Distributed with final evaluation in the following parameters: a) presentation of the rational and strategies grounded in Social Psychology; b) individual report about the analysis of a concrete case; c) active participation during classes. Students have to attend at least 75% of classes and participate in at least 3/4 of proposed tasks..

Calculation formula of final grade

Formula Evaluation: Final grade = Oral presentation x 0.40 + Report x 0.60