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Social Psychology and Counseling


Course Description

Examination of social psychological perspectives on human behavior, with attention to social perception and cognition, social influence, self-conception and identity formation, anti- social and pro-social behavior, intersections with personality, counseling and other human services, and "positive” psychology.


Athena Title

Social Psychology and Counsel


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in ECHD 9002E


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Students will be able to: •develop a preliminary working understanding of some of the social psychological dynamics of individual and collective behavior. •identify the primary topics of social psychology and the classic and seminal literature on each topic (including key contributors). •develop an understanding of how and where social psychology can inform counseling and other applied educational and social service practices. •become familiar with positive psychology and its place as a bridge between social and applied psychology.


Topical Outline

1. Prejudice and discrimination 2. Prosocial behavior 3. Liking, loving, and interpersonal sensitivity 4. Positive psychology 5. Perspectives: experimental research and critical postmodern perspective 6. Perspectives: cross cultural 7. Perspectives: Applications to work;family and leisure