PSY 120
Psychology II
Summer Term 2025 |
Instructor: Staff |
Total sessions: 25 Sessions |
Office Hours: TBA |
Session Length: 145 Minutes |
Classroom: TBA |
Credits: 3 Units |
Class Length: 7 Weeks |
Language: English |
Course Overview:
This course provides an introduction to the study of human individuality, personality, and social psychological processes. Students will explore the factors shaping individual behavior, the development of personality, and the influence of social contexts on thoughts, feelings, and
actions. The course integrates theories and empirical findings with practical applications, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between individuals and their social environments.
Required Material:
Elizabeth D. Hutchison, Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment, Sage Publications Inc, 2018.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand foundational theories of personality and individuality.
2. Analyze how social contexts influence human behavior and decision-making.
3. Explore the role of social psychological processes in shaping group dynamics and interpersonal relationships.
4. Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios in diverse social settings.
Course Outline: Week 1:
Lecture 1-3: Foundations of Individual and Social Behavior
Lecture 1: Introduction to Individual and Social Behavior
o Definitions and scope of personality and social psychology
o Historical perspectives and current trends
Lecture 2: Methods in Personality and Social Psychology
o Research design and ethics in studying human behavior
o Case studies in social psychological research
Lecture 3: Nature vs. Nurture
o Biological, environmental, and cultural influences on behavior
o The interactionist perspective
Assignment 1
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 2:
Lecture 4-7: Personality and Individual Differences
Lecture 4: Personality Theories
o Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, humanistic perspectives, and trait theories
o Applications of the Big Five personality traits
Lecture 5: Self and Identity
o Self-concept, self-esteem, and identity formation
o Social identity theory
Lecture 6: Cognitive Styles and Individual Differences
o Intelligence, creativity, and cognitive styles
o Measuring individual differences
Lecture 7: Personality Development Across the Lifespan
o Measuring individual differences
o Influences of genetics and environment
Week 3:
Lecture 8-11: Motivation, Emotion, and Stress
Lecture 8: Motivation and Behavior
o Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
o Applications in work and education
Lecture 9: Emotions and Individuality
o Theories of emotion (e.g., James-Lange, Schachter-Singer)
o Emotional intelligence and its applications
Lecture 10: Stress and Coping Mechanisms
o Psychological and physiological responses to stress
o Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies
Lecture 11: Social Perception and Attribution
o How we perceive and interpret others’ behavior
o Attribution biases and errors
Week 4:
Lecture 12-14: Social Influence and Interpersonal Behavior
Lecture 12: Attitudes and Persuasion
o Formation and change of attitudes
o Theories of persuasion and their applications
Lecture 13: Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
o Classic studies (e.g., Asch, Milgram)
o Social norms and their influence
Lecture 14: Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships
o Factors influencing attraction
o Dynamics of romantic and platonic relationships
Midterm Exam: multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions (Contains topics in Lecture 1-14)
Week 5:
Lecture 15-18: Group Dynamics and Social Contexts
Lecture 15: Group Dynamics and Decision-Making
o Leadership, groupthink, and teamwork
o Social loafing and facilitation
Lecture 16: Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
o Social loafing and facilitation
o Strategies for reducing prejudice
Lecture 17: Aggression and Altruism
o Biological and social explanations of aggression
o Factors promoting prosocial behavior
Lecture 18: Cultural Influences on Social Behavior
o Cross-cultural psychology and cultural norms
o How culture shapes social interaction
Assignment 2
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 6:
Lecture 19-22: Social Roles and Digital Behavior
Lecture 19: Social Roles and Identity
o Role theory and role conflict
o Influence of social roles on behavior
Lecture 20: Social Media and Behavior
o Impact of digital platforms on identity and relationships
o Cyberpsychology and online social dynamics
Lecture 21: Applications of Personality Theory
o Using personality assessments in counseling and organizational contexts
o Case study: Personality testing in hiring practices
Lecture 22: Applications of Social Psychology
o Behavioral interventions for social problems
o Case study: Reducing prejudice through intergroup contact
Week 7:
Lecture 23-25: Ethics, Case Studies, and Review
Lecture 23: Emerging Topics in Social Behavior
o Impacts of technology and globalization on social dynamics
o Trends in research on individuality and social behavior
Lecture 24: Ethics in Social Psychology
o Ethical considerations in research and practice
o Case studies of ethical dilemmas in social psychology
Lecture 25: Case Study: The Bystander Effect
o Theoretical insights into diffusion of responsibility
o Discussion of interventions to promote prosocial behavior
Final Exam: multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions (Contains topics in All Lectures)
Grading Assessment:
Assignment 1 |
15% |
Assignment 2 |
15% |
Midterm |
30% |
Final exam |
30% |
Seminar Participation |
10% |
Total |
100% |
Assignments:
Students are required to write two essays during the semester, each ranging between 1500-2000 words. The essays should demonstrate analytical thinking, clear organization, and proper use of evidence to support arguments. Grading will assess the clarity of writing, logic, grammar, and syntax, alongside the depth of analysis and proper citation of references. Specific requirements regarding topics and deadlines will be provided during the course. Essays will be submitted
electronically, and students will receive feedback on the first essay to guide improvement for the second.
Attendance:
Students are required to attend a weekly seminar led by TA to focus on the week's topic and deepen understanding. Seminar time assigned by TA. Seminar attendance counts toward the final grade.
Exams:
The examinations in this course consist of multiple choice, short answer and long answer
questions. The final exam is cumulative.
Final Evaluation:
Letter Grade |
Percentage (%) |
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
A+ |
≥95 |
C+ |
64-67 |
A |
89-94 |
C |
60-64 |
A- |
84-88 |
C- |
56-59 |
B+ |
79-83 |
D+ |
54-56 |
B |
73-78 |
D |
50-53 |
B- |
68-72 |
F |
≤50 |
General Policies:
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of academia and requires students and researchers to
maintain honesty, fairness, trust and responsibility in all academic activities. It includes not only avoiding dishonest behaviors such as plagiarism, cheating, and falsifying data, but also requires taking responsibility for one's own academic actions and ensuring that all work is done
independently and accurately cites the research of others. Violations of academic integrity can result in severe academic penalties, such as zero grades, suspension or even expulsion, and can cause serious damage to an individual's reputation and future career. Upholding academic
integrity is therefore essential to promoting a fair academic environment and facilitating the authentic dissemination of knowledge.
Accessible Resources Policy
The policy ensures that all students, especially those with disabilities, are able to participate equally in school learning and activities. The school provides a wide range of accessibility resources including, but not limited to, specialized classrooms, hearing aids, Braille textbooks, assistive technology, and flexible testing arrangements. Students are required to apply to the school in advance and provide appropriate medical or psychological evaluations so that an
individualized support plan can be developed for them. This policy is designed to remove barriers in the academic environment and to ensure that every student has access to equitable learning opportunities.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may choose to withdraw from a course within a specified period of time, and may not be able to do so after the expiration date. When withdrawing from a course, students are required to fill out a withdrawal form with a reason, which will be reviewed and processed on a case-by- case basis. Withdrawal from a course may not affect the student's academic performance. If a student withdraws from a course with incomplete requirements, a “W” may be assigned instead of a grade, depending on the course.
