This module introduces you to aspects of social psychology, specifically social influence. This area looks at how individuals and groups within society influence our behaviour. Topics will include, conformity, obedience, minority influence, prejudice and pro and antisocial behaviour. The module also includes areas of applied psychology, those being crime and the environment. In these areas you will apply the knowledge of key areas that you have already learnt about in psychology and apply them to real life situations. Topics will include, explanations of crime and offender profiling, environmental disaster and technological catastrophe, crowds and collective behaviour.

There are 28 weeks of normal classes (3 x 1.5hrs) and 2 reading weeks. Lectures provide a basic framework of concepts theories and evidence. Classes will also include interactive learning activities, such as group discussion, oral presentations, video and web based activities and written formative and summative assessment.

? Short Answer questions: (Exam)
These will ask for approximately 150-200 words per question. The questions will be related to descriptive and evaluative elements of social influence and will require detail about why we conform and obey, how we are affected by minority influence and why people are prejudiced and how it can be reduced. This work will be carried out in class (Learning outcomes 1 & 2)
Assessment Weighting ? 25%
? Essay (1000 words):
This essay will focus on environmental psychology and is to be completed in independent study time. There will be a choice of essay relating to either, environmental disaster and technological catastrophe or crowds and collective behaviour. This essay will require a description of studies and/or theories relating to the chosen area and critical analysis of these. (Learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3)
Assessment weighting ? 25%
? Exam (1000 words):
This timed constrained essay will be carried out in class time and will be approximately 1000 words in length. It will focus on the topic areas of pro and antisocial behaviour. This essay will require a description of studies/and or theories relating to the chosen area and critical analysis of these. (Learning outcomes 1 & 2)
Assessment weighting ? 25%
? Newspaper article: (1000 words)
This assignment will focus on crime psychology and the requirement will be to write a newspaper article on either explanations of criminal behaviour or offender profiling. The article will require you to extract the key elements and evaluative issues covered in your chosen area and apply these to everyday life. It is to be written in the format of a newspaper and should demonstrate a clear application of knowledge from psychological theory to issues in everyday life. (Learning outcomes 1,2 & 3)
Assessment weighting ? 25%

Textbooks, journals, resource packs, videos ( available in the psychology department and in the main library)and learnwise,(found on the college intranet)

Cardwell, Clarke and Meldrum (1996): Psychology for A Level, Collins, London
Gross,R. and Mcilveen,R. (1998) Psychology: A New Introduction, Hodder & Stoughton, London
Gross, R. (1996) Psychology: the Science of Mind and Behaviour (3rd Edition), Hodder & Stoughton, London
Hayes, N (1994): Foundations of Psychology, Nelson, Surrey
Harrower, J (2001): Psychology in Practice ? Crime, Hodder & Stoughton, London
Oliver, K (2001): Psychology in Practice ? Environment, Hodder & Stoughton, London
Dwyer, D (2001): Angles in Criminal Psychology, Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham
Roberts & Russell (2001): Angles in Environmental Psychology, Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham