Social Psychology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the principles and fundamental theories of social psychology, with a specific focus on the application of this knowledge in the context of work groups and public and private organizations. Students will gain a good understanding of how social dynamics influence individual and collective behaviors.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding: The course will enable students to acquire basic knowledge of the theories, approaches, and dynamics related to social psychology. Specifically, students will be able to understand the triadic and reciprocal interactions between individuals, social behavior, and the social environment. They will comprehend the construction of social self and social identity, the impact of social representations, stereotypes, and prejudices in relation to social groups, social influence phenomena, conformity, authority and obedience, as well as the genesis of prosocial and/or antisocial behavior. Students will also grasp the mechanisms of moral disengagement and deindividuation.
Application of Knowledge and Understanding: Through exercises, simulations, and case analyses, students will be able to identify and recognize interactive and distorting phenomena typical of work groups. They will develop self-awareness of their own modes of action and reaction in such contexts and situations.
Autonomy of Judgment: Students will develop critical thinking skills and judgment that will enable them to discern the types of social processes that occur in different contexts and at various levels (individual, group, societal).
Communication Skills: Students will be able to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions using appropriate disciplinary language specific to different situations and interlocutors.
Learning Skills: The course represents an experience for learning the fundamental principles and basic tools related to the psychosocial processes that characterize people's lives and group dynamics. Interactive activities, including group discussions, will stimulate students to dynamically define their learning objectives, engage in continuous self-learning processes, and utilize ongoing information collection activities related to studies in the field of social psychology. Periodically, activities will be organized to allow students to independently identify their acquired learning, additional study objectives, and potential future integrated learning experiences. In this way, they will be able to define and integrate additional horizontal learning activities (even outside the university context) with vertical activities (the three-year degree program and/or other postgraduate training experiences).
Application of Knowledge and Understanding: Through exercises, simulations, and case analyses, students will be able to identify and recognize interactive and distorting phenomena typical of work groups. They will develop self-awareness of their own modes of action and reaction in such contexts and situations.
Autonomy of Judgment: Students will develop critical thinking skills and judgment that will enable them to discern the types of social processes that occur in different contexts and at various levels (individual, group, societal).
Communication Skills: Students will be able to communicate information, ideas, problems, and solutions using appropriate disciplinary language specific to different situations and interlocutors.
Learning Skills: The course represents an experience for learning the fundamental principles and basic tools related to the psychosocial processes that characterize people's lives and group dynamics. Interactive activities, including group discussions, will stimulate students to dynamically define their learning objectives, engage in continuous self-learning processes, and utilize ongoing information collection activities related to studies in the field of social psychology. Periodically, activities will be organized to allow students to independently identify their acquired learning, additional study objectives, and potential future integrated learning experiences. In this way, they will be able to define and integrate additional horizontal learning activities (even outside the university context) with vertical activities (the three-year degree program and/or other postgraduate training experiences).
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The following topics will be covered during the course: social cognition and social thinking; self and identity; an introduction to attitudes and persuasion; social influence, attitudes, conformity, and social change; social and work groups; prejudice and intergroup relations; aggression.
Prerequisites for admission
None. Specific knowledge or skills in social psychology are not required.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered in a blended learning format, structured as follows:
20 hours of in-person classes (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
12 hours of synchronous online classes via Microsoft Teams (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
8 hours of asynchronous online classes on the MyAriel platform (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
Students are eligible to take the exam only if they reach the 60% attendance threshold in each of the three instructional formats.
The teaching methodology includes: traditional lectures; reading and discussion of scientific articles; group work; analysis of case studies; and student-led research projects with presentation of results.
20 hours of in-person classes (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
12 hours of synchronous online classes via Microsoft Teams (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
8 hours of asynchronous online classes on the MyAriel platform (MAPPE students must attend at least 60%)
Students are eligible to take the exam only if they reach the 60% attendance threshold in each of the three instructional formats.
The teaching methodology includes: traditional lectures; reading and discussion of scientific articles; group work; analysis of case studies; and student-led research projects with presentation of results.
Teaching Resources
International students could study the english versione of the book:
· Hogg, M.A., Vaughan G.M. Social Psychology: Theories and Applications. Pearson (also available in digital format): Chapters 1(partial)-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Additional study materials will be made available on MyAriel.
· Hogg, M.A., Vaughan G.M. Social Psychology: Theories and Applications. Pearson (also available in digital format): Chapters 1(partial)-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Additional study materials will be made available on MyAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Exam for all students (including MAPPE attendees and non-attending students from other degree programs):
Written test (multiple choice):
A set of multiple-choice questions aimed at assessing basic theoretical knowledge. Each question presents 4 options, with only one correct answer. Scoring: +2 points for each correct answer, 0 points for unanswered questions, -0.5 points for each incorrect answer. This section contributes 1/3 of the final grade.
A minimum score of 18/30 is required in this section to access the open-ended part, which takes place immediately afterwards during the same exam session.
Written test (open-ended):
Three open-ended questions aimed at evaluating comprehension, the ability to apply knowledge, and independent judgment. This section contributes 2/3 of the final grade. Each answer will be scored on a scale from 0 to 10, based on the following criteria: conceptual accuracy, argumentation skills, clarity of expression, and proper use of disciplinary terminology.
If this second part is insufficient, the entire exam must be retaken. Final evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (out of 30).
Written test (multiple choice):
A set of multiple-choice questions aimed at assessing basic theoretical knowledge. Each question presents 4 options, with only one correct answer. Scoring: +2 points for each correct answer, 0 points for unanswered questions, -0.5 points for each incorrect answer. This section contributes 1/3 of the final grade.
A minimum score of 18/30 is required in this section to access the open-ended part, which takes place immediately afterwards during the same exam session.
Written test (open-ended):
Three open-ended questions aimed at evaluating comprehension, the ability to apply knowledge, and independent judgment. This section contributes 2/3 of the final grade. Each answer will be scored on a scale from 0 to 10, based on the following criteria: conceptual accuracy, argumentation skills, clarity of expression, and proper use of disciplinary terminology.
If this second part is insufficient, the entire exam must be retaken. Final evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (out of 30).
M-PSI/05 - SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY - University credits: 6
: 16 hours
: 14 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
: 14 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Guglielmetti Chiara
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 2.30PM 5.30PM (on request, write an email)
Teams or, on request, Room 1 (Building AULA 11-12) second floor, Via Conservatorio 7 Milano