Elizabeth L. Haines, Ph.D.

Social Psychology

Psychology 720
Science Hall East 2013
Tuesdays 2:00-4:40

Professor: Elizabeth L. Haines, Ph.D.
Classroom: 2038 Science Hall East
Lab: 2013 Science
Email: hainese@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973.720.2500

Office Hours: T 10:00-11:00 and TR 10:00-11:00 and by appointment or Skype

Required Texts

Maddux, J. E., & Tangney, J. P. (Eds.). (2011). Social Psychological Foundations of Clinical Psychology. Guilford Press.

Other primary source material to be distributed in class or on the web.

Prerequisites

Fourth Year Psy.D. status.

Email

Email and frequent access to Blackboard are requirements for this course. You will need to check your email and Blackboard 24 hours prior to each class meeting time. It is a university policy that students use their university email for all course-related maters.

Course Description

Social Psychology provides students with an in-depth examination of how people are affected by how people think about, relate to, and are affected by others. This course surveys the major theories, principles, and methodologies of social psychology as applied to clinical practice. There is a strong emphasis on the cognitive components of social interactions.

In this course, we will use an evidence-based approach for understanding how social psychological principles, theories and methods operate in clinical practice. To that end, we will evaluate data from rigorous social science research to explain the social psychological approach to cognition, emotions, and behaviors. While personal story telling, examples, and experiences may be used to exemplify research findings, examples are not a substitute (or generally equivalent to) research evidence demonstrating how social cognition operates in social interaction and the clinical experience.

Although attitudes and behaviors forged through experience are strong, easily accessible, and resistant to change, it is my goal to present research findings for you to consider as alternative interpretations for how you typically think about social and self-perception. Psychology, at its best, provides a completely different view of the things we think we know best. Have an open mind, be a critical thinker, and drive with your social experimental glasses on.

The course will follow a questioning critical thinking format. Students are expected to guide their learning process. I have permission to stretch you. No laptops or cellphones during class except for the person who is taking minutes for the day. Tablets are permitted for taking notes by hand and or reading and marking up primary source material.

Attendance

Attendance is required.

University Closing Due to Weather/Emergency

When classes are canceled by the university, you will receive a short at home assignment for the day that will be due at the next class meeting. Please check blackboard for these assignments and when weather conditions are poor.

Evaluation

Presentations (50%)

Each student will give two presentations to the group. A first presentation will be as group leader for the day's material. The group leader will choose the chapter from the text, assign at least one primary source empirical article, compose discussion questions for the day (with answers), and write a self evaluation as the group's peer leader. In a second presentation, the presenter will choose will five cognitive biases, develop a point of view regarding how they should be understood in clinical practice and propose actionable mitigation strategies from primary source research. A self evaluation of this presentation is also required.

External Writing: Discussion Questions (20%)

There will be nine assignments to evaluate the application of social psychological themes into the client-practitioner role. These assignments will be in the form of discussion questions that will be used to stimulate students’ critical thinking and application of course material.

In Class Writing (10%)

In class writing activities will be used to assess understanding of readings.

Final Exam (30%)

A final exam on the social psychological point of view on clinical psychology will integrate learners' knowledge of course material. This integrate will include the following elements (a) informs and extends your practice (b) connects social psychological language and content areas to clinical experience (c) applies this social psychological point of view to your clinical scenarios and techniques using examples.

Communication

Communication is essential to the learning process. If the question is brief, email is the most efficient method of contact. Communication between students is strongly encouraged.

Academic Honesty

It is expected that all work handed in for this class is based upon your learning and personal effort. Violations of academic integrity, including cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and lying, can not be tolerated. Please familiarize yourself with the University's Academic Honesty Policy.