PSYC

2210: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

INSTRUCTOR: MEGHAN BABCOCK, Ph.D.
SPRING, 2019

EMAIL: meghan.babcock@psych.gatech.edu
OFFICE: J.S. Coon Building, Room G53-D
OFFICE HOURS: Monday/Wednesday 1:30pm – 2:30pm
LECTURE: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 12:20pm – 1:10pm
LOCATION: Weber SST III, Room 1

GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT
Sibley Lyndgaard (slyndgaard3@gatech.edu)
Office: J.S. Coon Building, Room 219
Office Hours: Thursdays 1:30pm – 2:30pm

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Gilovich, T., Keltner, D., Chen, S., & Nisbett, R. (2016).
Social psychology (4th ed.). New York: Norton.
ISBN: 9780393938968 (4th edition acceptable)
ISBN: 9780393667714 (5th edition)

ONLINE COMPONENT:

SOCRATIVE: Required for in-class participation.
Can be used on mobile device (Socrative app) or in a browser (www.socrative.com).
No fee or registration is required for Socrative.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: What leads us to like some people but not others? Why do people get into
conflicts? How do prejudices develop and how can we overcome them in order to better function in
society? Students in this course will learn about these provocative research questions that are as
relevant today as ever, especially considering the dynamics of the workplace, families, and society as
a whole.

LEARNING GOALS: At the end of this course, you should be able to:
• Describe and explain the major theories of social psychology
• Apply social psychological theories, concepts, and research findings to personal
experiences and current events
• Identify and explain the variety of research methods used by social psychologists
• Use critical thinking to evaluate popular media and scholarly literature
• Demonstrate effective writing skills

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures are designed to reinforce and supplement the course readings, so
lectures may include material that is not covered in the readings. You are responsible for all material
covered in class, including lecture slides and lecture content, activities, video clips, demonstrations,
and announcements. It is important that you:
• Arrive to class on time.
• DO NOT USE laptops/tablets/phones for non-course related activities.
• Participate actively and constructively during in class activities and discussions.

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ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING:

1. Top 4 Exam Scores 400 points (100 points each)
2. Critique Assignments 50 points (10 points each)
3. Mini Assignments 10 points (5 points each)
4. In-Class Quizzes / Participation 50 points
Total 510 points

1. Exams: A total of four (4) exams worth 100 points each will count towards your final grade.
There are 4 exams scheduled throughout the semester and an optional cumulative final
exam. If you take the first 4 exams and are satisfied with your scores, you do not need to
take the final (i.e., it is optional). Note that the final is cumulative - meaning that it includes
all material covered throughout the semester. Please also note that you will not be
penalized for taking the cumulative final exam (i.e., if your lowest exam score is the
cumulative final exam, this is the exam score that will be dropped). If you are late to an
exam and at least one student has turned in their exam, you will NOT be able to take the
exam or complete a make-up exam.

The topics for each exam will include lectures, readings, and in class assignments. The
format for the first four exams will be multiple-choice, fill in the blank, and short answer.
The format for the cumulative final exam will be multiple-choice.

2. Critique Assignments: Five (5) critique assignments worth 10 points each will be due over
the course of the semester. These critiques must include a critical summary of the reading
or video and your personal reaction. The critiques must be typewritten and a minimum of
500 words. In addition to the summary and personal reaction, you must include two (2)
thought-provoking questions from the reading or video that will be used to stimulate class
discussion. The article critique document must be uploaded to Canvas by the assigned
deadline. Additional information and assignment rubrics will be posted on Canvas.

3. Mini Assignments: Two (2) online activities worth 5 points each will be due this semester.
You will be asked to reflect on the assignments in class and relate the online activities to
course content. Additional information regarding these two assignments will be posted on
Canvas.

4. In-Class Quizzes / Participation: A series of unannounced in-class quizzes and in-class
activities will be administered throughout the semester. Quizzes/activities will be given at
different points during class time (beginning, middle, or end), so it is important that you
arrive to class on time and stay for the entire duration of the class. This should encourage
you to attend class on time, keep up with your readings and assignments, and engage in
class discussion.

Quizzes will cover previously learned material. You will receive credit for an in-class quiz if
you receive at least 75% of the questions correct (for example, 4 out of 5 questions correct
on a given quiz). Although I cannot predict how many quizzes will be given over the course
of the semester, you may miss 2 quizzes/participation days (only 2!) without any penalty to
your grade. Missed quizzes/participation credit can only be made up with an Institution
Approved absence and must be completed within 7 days of the original quiz/participation
day. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor to make up missed
quizzes/assignments.

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GRADING SCALE:

A 457 – 510 points
B 406 – 456.999 points
C 355 – 405.999 points
D 304 – 354.999 points
F 304.999 points or fewer

This grading scale already incorporates rounding.
NO exceptions will be made for further rounding.

DO NOT CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTORS REGARDING FINAL GRADE ROUNDING.

PASS/FAIL GRADING OPTION: Students taking this course pass/fail must earn a minimum of 355
points (letter grade minimum of “C”) or better to pass and earn a satisfactory grade (“S”). Students
earning less than 355.00 points will receive an unsatisfactory grade (“U”) for the course.

ADDITIONAL READINGS: Additional readings may be added during the semester. Email and Canvas
announcements will be sent out when these are assigned. Students will be responsible for obtaining
and reading all materials before the class in which they are to be discussed.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP EXAMS: ALL assignments must be submitted by the due date.
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be accepted unless you have an Institution Approved absence. Students
submitting late assignments without an approved absence will not receive feedback from the
instructor. Make-up exams may be scheduled for Institute Approved absences only and
documentation must be provided before the scheduled exam day. Please contact me ASAP regarding
an off-campus interview for a job or graduate/professional school.

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE: Please put the course number (PSYC 2210) in the subject of all emails to
the instructor and teaching assistant.

RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION: Please be respectful and considerate of others in the class. This
includes showing up for class on time and muting your mobile devices while in class.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty is an unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be
tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be reported and disciplined in
accordance with the University regulations and procedures, which may include suspension or
expulsion from the University. Please take time to review Section XIX Student Code of Conduct, Rules
and Regulations section of the Georgia Institute of Technology General Catalog for more information.
Note that according to the Student Code of Conduct, plagiarism is defined as the “submission of
material that is wholly or substantially identical to that created or published by another person or
persons, without adequate credit notations indicating authorship.” If you take someone else’s words,
ideas, or structure of their argument (whether it is a published author or fellow classmate), this is
considered plagiarism. All assignments in this course will be compared against each other and
previous submissions for plagiarism.

ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY: If you are a student with a disability and you need academic
accommodations, please see me and contact the Disability Services at (404) 894-2563.
(https://disabilityservices.gatech.edu). All academic accommodations must be arranged through that
office and they will then contact me with instructions.
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TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE – SPRING 2019

WEEK DATE CLASS TOPIC READINGS DISCUSS IN CLASS
1 Monday 1/7/19 Social Psychology Chapter 1
Wednesday 1/9/19 Chapter 1
Friday 1/11/19 Chapter 1
2 Monday 1/14/19 Methods of Social Psychology Chapter 2
Wednesday 1/16/19 Chapter 2
Friday 1/18/19 Chapter 2
3 Monday 1/21/19 NO CLASS – MLK JR. DAY
Wednesday 1/23/19 Wilson et al. (2010) Wilson et al. (2010)
Friday 1/25/19 Social Self Chapter 3 Online Survey Due
4 Monday 1/28/19 Chapter 3
Wednesday 1/30/19 Chapter 3 Survey Results
Friday 2/1/19 EXAM 1 Chapters 1-3
5 Monday 2/4/19 Social Cognition Chapter 4
Wednesday 2/6/19 Chapter 4
Friday 2/8/19 Chapter 4
6 Monday 2/11/19 Social Attribution Chapter 5
Wednesday 2/13/19 Chapter 5
Friday 2/15/19 Chapter 5
7 Monday 2/18/19 Attitudes Chapter 7 Implicit Association Test
Wednesday 2/20/19 Chapter 7
Friday 2/22/19 Chapter 7
8 Monday 2/25/19 EXAM 2 Chapters 4-7
Wednesday 2/27/19 Persuasion Chapter 8
Friday 3/1/19 Chapter 8 Petty & Cacioppo (1984)
9 Monday 3/4/19 Chapter 8
Wednesday 3/6/19 Social Influence Chapter 9
Friday 3/8/19 Chapter 9
10 Monday 3/11/19 Chapter 9
Wednesday 3/13/19 Relationships + Attraction Chapter 10
Friday 3/15/19 Chapter 10 Finkel - Video 1
11 Monday 3/18/19 SPRING BREAK!
Wednesday 3/20/19
Friday 3/22/19
12 Monday 3/25/19 Relationships + Attraction Chapter 10
Wednesday 3/27/19 Chapter 10
Friday 3/29/19 EXAM 3
13 Monday 4/1/19 Stereotypes, Prejudice, Discrimination Chapter 11
Wednesday 4/3/19 Chapter 11 Johns et al. (2005)
Friday 4/5/19
Chapter 11

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WEEK DATE CLASS TOPIC READINGS DISCUSS IN CLASS
14 Monday 4/8/19 Groups Chapter 12
Wednesday 4/10/19 Chapter 12 Harkins & Jackson (1985)
Friday 4/12/19 Groups + Altruism Chapter 12/14
15 Monday 4/15/19 Altruism Chapter 14
Wednesday 4/17/19 Chapter 14 Piff – Video 2
Friday 4/19/19 EXAM 4 Chapters 11,12, 14
16 Monday 4/22/19 OPTIONAL REVIEW SESSION LAST DAY OF CLASS!
Tuesday 4/23/19 EXTRA CREDIT DUE AT 11:59PM
Friday 4/26/19 OPTIONAL CUMULATIVE EXAM ALL CHAPTERS FINAL EXAM 11:20 AM


NOTES:

• Content in the “DISCUSS IN CLASS “column above will be reviewed that day in class.
• See Schedule below for the due dates of all assignments.

*Any changes to the course schedule will be announced in class and a new version of the schedule
will be posted on Canvas.*




Critique Assignments & Mini Assignments
Worth 5 or 10 points each

ASSIGNMENT TITLE DUE
1 Online Survey – Link Posted to Canvas – 5 points 1/25 by 12:20pm
Social Self Respond to Questions on Canvas after Online Survey
2 https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html – Age IAT – 5 points 2/18 by 12:20pm
Attitudes Respond to Questions on Canvas after Age IAT
3 The effects of involvement on responses to argument quantity and quality 3/1 by 12:20pm
Persuasion (Petty & Cacioppo, 1984) – 10 points
4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8fe0IkGnUk 3/15 by 12:20pm
Relationships Video 1 – Finkel – 10 points
5 Knowing is half the battle: Teaching stereotype threat as a means of improving 4/3 by 12:20pm
Stereotypes women’s math performance (Johns, Schmader, & Martens, 2005) – 10 points
6 The role of evaluation in eliminating social loafing 4/10 by 12:20pm
Groups (Harkins & Jackson, 1985) – 10 points
7 https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_piff_does_money_make_you_mean 4/17 by 12:20pm
Prosocial Behavior Video 2 – Piff – 10 points

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EXTRA CREDIT OPTIONS:

You have one of two options for extra credit in this course:

1. RESEARCH PARTICIPATION: You can participate in up to 1 credit of research for
extra credit in this course. One credit of research will be worth 5 points towards your final grade.
Participation in research will take place outside of class. You are not excused from class to participate in
research (i.e., do not schedule research participation during class time). You can learn about and sign-up
for the experiments by visiting the following website: https://gatech-psych.sona-systems.com/.

In order to receive credit for your participation, you must “assign” the research credit to this class
(PSYC 2210). At the end of the semester, I will receive a report that shows how many credits of
research you participated in throughout the semester. You have until April 23rd at 11:59pm to
complete your research participation.

2. ARTICLE CRITIQUE: If you do not wish to participate in a research study, you can complete 1 article
critique for extra credit in this course (note that this is separate from the article critiques assigned in the
course). One article critique will be worth 5 points towards your final grade. You will have until April 23rd
at 11:59pm to turn in your article critique. See the end of the syllabus for additional information regarding
the extra credit article critique.

Note: All assignments (including extra credit article critiques) will be submitted through Canvas and the
Turn It In software. All assignments in this course will be compared against each other and previous
submissions for plagiarism.

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 EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: ARTICLE CRITIQUE
WORTH UP TO 5 POINTS
You have the opportunity to choose an empirical paper on a social psychological topic of your choice and critique
the article. Use Georgia Tech’s online library to find the empirical article. The article must be published in one of
the following journals within the last 2 years (January 2017 – April 2019):

• Personality and Social Psychology Review
• Advances in Experimental Psychology
• Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
• Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
• Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Note: If you do not follow the directions in terms of the journal and publication date, you will receive a ZERO for
the article critique and it will not be reviewed.

The extra credit article critique must include a summary of the article and your personal reaction to the article.

SECTION 1. Summary of Article: Describe the study and including the following information if applicable:

1. Problem/Purpose: What is the problem to be investigated? Why is the study necessary and
important? What is the research question?
2. Key Hypotheses: What are the hypotheses? What previous research are they based on? Are they
grounded in theory? If so, describe.
3. Sample: Who are the participants and how generalizable is the sample?
4. Measures & Procedure: What are the independent and dependent variables? What tests, instruments,
or questionnaires are used in the study? How was the study conducted?
5. Results/Conclusions: What are the results of this study? Are the results consistent with the
hypothesis/hypotheses?
6. Practical Application: What, if any, are the practical implications?

SECTION 2. Personal Reaction: In this section, provide a thoughtful reaction to multiple aspects of the article
(describe your reaction and reasoning). Below are a few examples of ways in which you can react to the article:

1. Discuss your thoughts about the results and conclusions.
2. Explain what you would do differently if it were your research study.
3. Discuss any cautions that you have about the results of the study.
4. Discuss how the work is related to your life experiences.
5. Has your perspective on the topic changed? Why or why not?

FORMATTING:
(1) 500 words minimum for each article critique (-3 points if less than 500 words)
(2) APA-style Reference included on a page separate from the article critique (-1 point if missing or reference is
formatted incorrectly)
(3) Times New Roman, size 12-point font
(4) Double-spaced