Individual Course: Social & Cognitive Psychology

Doctorate in Psychology

Social Cognition Cognitive Biases Social Influence Group Dynamics Behavioral Interventions

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Course Summary:

This doctoral-level course in Social & Cognitive Psychology explores how social influences shape cognitive processes and how cognitive mechanisms affect social behavior. Topics include social perception, attitude formation, group dynamics, decision-making, and biases. Students will critically analyze research and apply theories to real-world issues, integrating both social and cognitive perspectives.

Course Topics

Description & Learning Goals

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Important: At Atlantic International University, academic freedom and purpose-based learning are the essence of our unique programs. The topics below are a sample of the many areas you may explore during your studies, reflecting our commitment to personalized learning rather than rigid course requirements. This list is not exhaustive or obligatory, serving solely as a reference point. For more details, explore AIU’s Open Curriculum design and Curriculum Builder during Phase 2 of the program.

Foundations of Social and Cognitive Psychology
Explores key theories and research from both social and cognitive psychology, focusing on their integration and mutual influence on understanding human behavior and mental processes.

Social Cognition and Perception
Examines how people process social information, form impressions, and make judgments, including biases, attribution processes, stereotypes, and their influence on social behavior and interaction.

Attitudes, Persuasion, and Social Influence
Investigates the formation, change, and influence of attitudes, examining cognitive processes in persuasion, social influence, conformity, and resistance to persuasion in various social contexts.

Group Dynamics and Intergroup Relations
Analyzes psychological processes within groups and between groups, covering leadership, cooperation, conflict, social identity theory, and strategies for improving intergroup relations and reducing prejudice.

Cognitive Biases and Heuristics in Social Decision-Making
Explores cognitive shortcuts and biases influencing judgment and decision-making, examining their impact on social behavior, stereotypes, moral decisions, and group dynamics.

Emotion, Motivation, and Social Behavior
Focuses on how emotions and motivation influence social interactions, including emotional expression, empathy, emotional regulation, and the motivational factors driving group behavior and individual decisions.

Cognitive Neuroscience of Social Behavior
Explores the neural mechanisms underlying social cognition and behavior, examining brain regions involved in empathy, moral reasoning, and social decision-making through neuroimaging and neuropsychological research.

Development of Social Cognition
Investigates the developmental trajectory of social and cognitive processes from infancy to adolescence, including theory of mind, empathy, social reasoning, and the impact of social environments.

Social Identity and Self-Concept
Examines the cognitive mechanisms behind the formation and maintenance of self-concept and social identity, exploring in-group vs. out-group dynamics, self-esteem, and identity conflicts.

Cognitive and Social Psychology in Applied Settings
Applies social and cognitive psychological principles to real-world contexts such as marketing, education, law, health, and organizational behavior, focusing on practical problem-solving and interventions.

Advanced Research Methods in Social and Cognitive Psychology
Covers advanced methodologies for studying social and cognitive phenomena, including experimental designs, multivariate statistics, mixed-methods approaches, and the critical evaluation of research findings.

Social Neuroscience: Cognitive and Emotional Processes
Examines how neural circuits and brain regions support social behaviors, emotion regulation, and cognitive processes like empathy, moral judgment, and social interaction using neuroimaging techniques.

Cultural and Contextual Influences on Cognition and Behavior
Explores how cultural and contextual factors shape cognitive processes, social behavior, decision-making, and perception, emphasizing cross-cultural differences and their implications for psychology and global applications.

Social-Cognitive Approaches to Health Behavior
Studies how social and cognitive psychological theories apply to health behaviors, focusing on decision-making, behavior change, health promotion, and the role of social influence in health outcomes.

Prejudice, Discrimination, and Intergroup Relations
Examines the cognitive and social roots of prejudice and discrimination, focusing on in-group/out-group dynamics, intergroup conflict, and strategies to reduce prejudice and foster intergroup cooperation.

This doctoral-level course in Social and Cognitive Psychology explores the integration of cognitive and social processes that govern human behavior. It covers key topics like social cognition, emotion, group dynamics, decision-making, and social influence. Students will examine how cognitive mechanisms shape social behavior and how social factors impact cognitive processes. The course emphasizes advanced research methodologies, critical thinking, and real-world applications in fields such as healthcare, marketing, and organizational behavior.

Learning Goals:

Understand Key Theories in Social and Cognitive Psychology
Develop a comprehensive understanding of the foundational theories and key research in both social and cognitive psychology.
Analyze Social Cognition and Perception
Learn how people process, interpret, and respond to social information, including biases, stereotypes, and attribution processes.
Examine Attitudes and Persuasion
Investigate how attitudes are formed, maintained, and changed, and understand the psychological mechanisms behind persuasion and social influence.
Explore Group Dynamics and Social Influence
Understand the psychological processes that govern group behavior, including leadership, conformity, and intergroup relations.
Investigate Cognitive Biases and Heuristics
Examine how cognitive shortcuts influence decision-making, social judgments, and behavior in both individual and group contexts.
Apply Social-Cognitive Theories in Real-World Contexts
Explore how social and cognitive psychological principles can be applied to areas such as health, marketing, and organizational behavior.
Develop Advanced Research Skills
Learn advanced experimental designs, statistical analyses, and mixed-methods research approaches to study social and cognitive phenomena.
Critically Evaluate Current Research in Social and Cognitive Psychology
Develop the ability to critically assess and synthesize current research in both fields, evaluating methodologies, findings, and theoretical implications.

Assignment

Assignment: Research Paper on Social-Cognitive Integration in Real-World Issues

Objective:
The goal of this assignment is for students to demonstrate their ability to integrate social and cognitive psychological theories to analyze and propose solutions for a real-world issue. Students will explore how both cognitive processes (e.g., decision-making, biases, heuristics) and social influences (e.g., social identity, group dynamics, persuasion) contribute to the problem and its potential solutions.

Assignment Details:
Students will select a contemporary issue or social problem (e.g., political polarization, health behavior change, workplace conflict, environmental sustainability, or social media influence). They will conduct an in-depth analysis using theories and research from both social psychology and cognitive psychology. The paper should address the following:

Introduction to the Issue:
Briefly describe the chosen issue, its relevance, and why it’s significant in the context of social-cognitive psychology.
Theoretical Framework:
Apply social and cognitive psychological theories to analyze the underlying psychological processes driving the issue. For example, discuss how cognitive biases, social influence, group dynamics, or emotional regulation are at play.
Critical Evaluation of Existing Research:
Review current literature on the issue, integrating findings from social and cognitive psychology. Evaluate how these theories and studies explain or contribute to the issue.
Proposed Interventions:
Based on the theories covered in class, propose interventions or strategies that could address the issue. For instance, how can cognitive biases be mitigated in decision-making, or how can social influence be leveraged for positive behavior change?
Conclusion:
Summarize the key insights gained from the integration of social and cognitive psychology and reflect on the practical implications for future research or policy.

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