PS 390: Social Influence
Fall 2002
Contact information:
Instructor: Dr. Jean Mandernach
Office: 330A Mabee
Office Phone: 741-2000 ext. 6329
Email: jmandernach@mail.park.edu
Course website: www.park.edu/jmandernach
Office hours: Monday & Friday 10:00 – 11:00
Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 – 10:00 and 11:30 – 12:30
Class Information:
Class Times: Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00-9:50
Class Location: 816 Mabee
Required textbook: Influence: Science and Practice by Robert B. Cialdini
Testing website: http://edu.brownstone.net/edu/classes/socinfluence
Course Description:
Examine empirical evidence regarding the impact of social influence on individual behavior. Specifically, we will be studying the role of compliance, conformity, and obedience in shaping ideas, attitudes, and behavior.
Course Objectives:
The primary goal of this course is to introduce you to the perspectives, research methods, and empirical findings of social influence. Equally important is the goal of cultivating your skills for analyzing social situations and events that you encounter in your everyday lives; this course will enable you to critically examine the role of influence in your own life.
Class Format:
Lectures:
During lectures, important topics and issues that relate to the readings will be discussed. The lectures are not designed to imitate the text, but are intended to draw and expand upon it. Lectures may also incorporate videos, computer-based instruction, and activities to assist your understanding of the key topics. Many exam questions will be drawn from the lecture material. If you miss the lecture, you will not be able to obtain notes from the instructor and in-class activities will not be duplicated.
Guidelines for lectures:
· Ask for clarification on any information that is unclear or confusing.
· Be considerate and avoid disruptions during class.
· Be on time for each class.
· Complete all readings prior to the corresponding lecture.
Reading Assignments:
Reading
assignments are indicated in the course calendar. In order to benefit from the
class, and keep up with the pace of instruction, it is essential that you
complete each reading prior to class time. Reading a required chapter
before it is discussed will enable you to get the most from the lecture and
will allow you the opportunity to ask relevant questions.
Class Participation:
Various in-class activities and short homeworks will be assigned throughout the semester. These activities/homeworks will not be announced ahead of time and cannot be made-up if you miss class. Thus, your class participation grade will be heavily influenced by your attendance.
Exams:
All exams will consist of a combination of multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank and short essay questions that focus primarily on the key concepts for that chapter. There will be 3 exams given throughout the semester: 2 mandatory chapter exams and an optional comprehensive final exam. The score on the final exam can be used to replace your lowest score on any one of the earlier tests. Because you are only required to take 2 out of 3 exams, no make-up exams will be offered under any circumstances. Your lowest test score will be dropped, while the 2 highest test scores will be calculated into your final course grade.
Personal Influence
Journal:
A major goal of this course is for you to examine the role of influence in your own life. In order to promote this type of reflective understanding, you are required to keep a personal influence journal. As you read the textbook and participate in class activities, I would like you to examine how influence principles have been used to shape your attitudes and behaviors. You are required to record eight (8) different journal entries. Each entry should highlight an experience you have had with social influence tactics, the theory or rational behind how the tactic works, and a personal reaction to the experience. Each journal entry should be approximately 1 typed, double-spaced page.
Social Influence Research Project:
Working in groups of 2 or 3, your task is to complete a series of empirical investigations in order to examine a specific aspect of social influence. All stages of the research project need to be kept together in a research binder (I suggest purchasing a special 3-ring binder that will only be used for this project); for each stage of the project, you will need to turn in all previous work. All work needs to be typed and written in correct APA style. The project will consist of several steps:
1) Initial Project Proposal: Provide a general desciption of the phenomenon. Then, pose an empirical research question that you would like to address and brainstorm 5-10 different means of conducting the investigation. Total length should be 2 to 3 pages.
2) Descriptive Study Research Proposal: Utilizing the feedback you receive on the Initial Project Proposal, design a descriptive study (1 to 2 pages).
3) Descriptive Study: Conduct a descriptive study to further examine your target phenomenon. Provide a 3-5 page desciption of your study, report of your findings, and critique of your research methodology.
4) Literature
Review: Your task is to provide a review of the empirical literature
relevant to your target phenomenon. The goal of a literature review is to
identify and summarize key research findings relating to a specific topic. . .
DO NOT simply provide a general report related to your topic. Literature
reviews should be written from original journal articles, not from textbooks or
other third party descriptions. If you have not written a literature review in
the past, please see me prior to writing your report so that I can give you
some examples.
5) Correlational
Study Research Proposal: Building on the knowledge you gained through your
descriptive study and literature review, identify weakness in the current
literature that you could examine through a correlational investigation. Then
design a correlational study that would add to the current knowledge base of
your target topic (1 to 2 pages).
6) Correlational
Study: Conduct a correlational study to further examine your target
phenomenon. Provide a 3-5 page desciption of your study, report of your
findings, and critique of your research methodology.
7) Poster
Presentation: Utilizing proper APA format and presentation style, create a
poster to present the findings of your correlational study.
8) Experimental
Study Research Proposal: Utilizing the knowledge you have gained throughout
this project, design an experimental study to attempt to provide a causal examination
of your target phenomenon (3 to 5 pages).
Grading:
Grades will be determined by performance on 2 exams, personal influence journal, social influence research project, and class participation. Points will be assigned as follows:
2 exams (75 points each) 150 points
personal influence journal (5 points per entry) 40 points
social influence research project:
· initial project proposal 10 points
· descriptive study research proposal 15 points
· descriptive study 35 points
· literature review 50 points
· correlational study research proposal 15 points
· correlational study 35 points
· poster presentation 25 points
· experimental study research proposal 15 points
class participation (points vary by assignment) 110 points
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total available 500 points
Final course grades will be determined as follows:
A 90% - 100% 448 points and higher
B 80% - 89% 398 – 447 points
C 70% - 79% 348 – 397 points
D 60% - 69% 298 – 347 points
F 59% and lower 297 points and lower
Academic Honesty:
Any student who cheats on an exam, written assignment or any other activity related to this course will receive a failing grade and be reported to the University for academic dishonesty. Cheating on an exam includes, but is not limited to:
· Using notes, books, or other written aids
· Copying another person’s answers
· Talking or signaling during exams
· Allowing others to copy from your exam
Cheating on a written assignment includes:
· Copying or paraphrasing another person’s work or a previously written paper
· Plagiarizing published or unpublished materials
If you have any questions about
what constitutes cheating, refer to the “Academic Dishonesty” policy in your
student handbook.
Student Responsibilities:
Each student is responsible for all the information covered in this syllabus, lectures, and readings. The penalties for missed deadlines will be strictly enforced; it is your responsibility to take all exams and turn in all assignments by the posted deadline. If you don’t understand any policies or deadlines, ask for clarification prior to the deadline.
All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the designated due date. If your assignment is not turned in by the beginning of class, 10% of your total score will automatically be deducted. You will lose another 20% of the assignment grade each day it is late. With this in mind, assignments will not be accepted more than five days after the due date (you will receive no points for the assignment). If you are not going to be in class, you may turn in your assignments prior to class by either giving the assignment directly to me, emailing it to me, or by having the assignment placed in my campus mailbox (#1232).
In order to ensure that all students participate, learn, have fun, and feel comfortable, please do not:
· work on anything else during class (including copying notes from a previous class)
· distract others by talking loudly or making unusual noises
· disrupt class by “packing up” early or arriving late
· behave in an inappropriate or obnoxious manner
· display a negative attitude
Questions and Assistance:
You are encouraged to ask questions. These questions may be about course material, assignments, and/or grades. I invite you to ask questions about course material and policies during class time; please direct questions about specific assignments and grades to me individually (before/after class, during office hours, or via phone/email). I want you to learn the information and perform well; but most of this is up to you. Take active responsibility for your own performance.
Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance in this course should make an appointment to speak with me as soon as possible.
Course Calendar:
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Date: |
Readings: |
Assignments & Exams: |
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August 19 |
Syllabus |
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August 21 |
Web search for “social influence” |
Reaction paper – What is social influence? Include list of Top 10 informative websites. |
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August 23 |
Read all “Introduction to Influence” pages at www.workingpsychology.com |
After reading website, bring 3 discussion questions to class. Questions should be typed. |
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August 26 |
Chapter 1 – Weapons of Influence |
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August 28 |
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Select and answer ONE of the Critial Thinking Questions on page 17-18. |
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August 30 |
Web search for “descriptive research methods” |
Initial Project Proposal Due |
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September 2 |
NO CLASS – Labor Day |
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September 4 |
Investigate the “Watergate Political Scandal” |
Write a ½ to 1 page report on Watergate. |
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September 6 |
Chapter 2 – Reciprocation |
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September 9 |
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Descriptive Study Research Proposal Due |
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September 11 |
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Select and answer ONE of the Critial Thinking Questions on page 51. |
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September 13 |
Chapter 3 – Commitment/Consistency |
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September 16 |
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September 18 |
Conduct a web search for “hazing” |
Bring 2 examples of hazing. Expanding on the textbook discussion, identify and summarize 1 theory of hazing (1/2 to 1 page). |
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September 20 |
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September 23 |
Chapter 4 – Social Proof |
Descriptive Study Due |
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September 25 |
Read Ash’s article (available on website) |
First half of Personal Influence Journal Due |
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September 27 |
Investigate cults at www.workingpsychology.com/cult.html |
Create a “Top 10 List” of the most important factors that need to be present for cult development. |
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September 30 |
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October 2 |
Examining the role of social influence in helping behavior |
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October 4 |
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Select and answer ONE of the Critial Thinking Questions on page 141-142. |
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October 7 |
Investigate school shootings |
Bring 2 examples of school shootings. Expanding on the textbook discussion, identify and summarize 1 theory to explain school shootings (1/2 to 1 page). |
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October 9 |
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October 11 |
Chapter 5 – Liking |
Literature Review Due |
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October 14 – 18 |
NO CLASS – Fall Break |
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October 21 |
Investigate advertising practices |
Identify and bring 5 advertisements (either print or video) that demonstrate social influence. For each ad, write a brief description (couple of sentences) identifying the social influence tactic. |
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October 23 |
Web search for “correlational research methods” |
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October 25 |
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Correlational Study Research Proposal |
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October 28 |
Review for Exam #1 |
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October 30 |
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Exam
#1
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November 1 |
Chapter 6 – Authority |
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November 4 |
Investigate the Holocaust |
Write a ½ to 1 page report on events of the Holocaust. |
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November 6 |
Read Milgram’s article (available on website) |
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November 8 |
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Correlational Study Due |
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November 11 |
NO CLASS – Veterans Day |
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November 13 |
Chapter 7 – Scarcity |
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November 15 |
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Select and answer ONE of the Critial Thinking Questions on page 232. |
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November 18 |
Chapter 8 – Instant Influence |
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November 20 |
Investigate framing by examining www.workingpsychology.com/frintro.html |
Answer question “What is the most interesting thing you learned about framing?” |
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November 22 |
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Poster Presentation Due |
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November 25 |
“12 Angry Men” movie day |
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November 27 |
“12 Angry Men” movie day continued |
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November 29 |
NO CLASS – Thanksgiving Break |
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December 2 |
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Discussion
questions for “12 Angry Men” due.
Experimental Study Research Proposal Due |
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December 4 |
Review for Exam #2 |
Complete Personal Influence Journal Due |
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December 6 |
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Exam #2 |
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December 11 (Wed.) 8-10 |
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Comprehensive Final Exam |
This is a tentative schedule. . . all schedule changes will be announced in class.