Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce students to key social psychological frameworks and models, and what they can tell us about how and why people communicate with each other in the ways that they do.

Social Psychology is concerned with individuals as social beings. Much of our social behaviour, and the relationship between our social environment and individual self, involves communication. This module therefore introduces and explores how social, situational and structural factors affect communication of various kinds. Topics and issues concerned with attitudinal, motivational and cognitive aspects of communication will be explored using social psychological models and frameworks such as Social Identity Theory and Communication Accommodation Theory. These will also be illustrated and exemplified by the examination of recent empirical literature, especially that relating to cross-cultural communication.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Module outline, assessment and introduction to SPC – the importance of groups and group identities
2. Conceptual background – Communication Accommodation and Social Identity Theories
3. Learning styles
4. Personality
5. Non-verbal Communication
6. The effects of the study of CCC
7. Migration: Adjustment and adaptation
8. Dementia communication (Research Case Study 1)
9. Which English? (Research Case Study 2)
10. Reintegration of refugee professionals (Research Case Study 3)
11. Drop-in session - module review, questions arising and module assessment workshop

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

• To provide students with knowledge of recent social psychological approaches to the study of human communication, including recent empirical research in the area
• To provide students with knowledge of how to approach the study of human communication using basic social psychological techniques

Intended Skill Outcomes

• Enhanced ability to critically evaluate literature, including cutting-edge empirical studies
• Ability to research, prepare and deliver an overview of a topic area related to the social psychology of communication
• Skills of collaboration with others in formulating, managing and undertaking a research project outlining a relevant topic area
• Skills of analysis and synthesis of complex literature relating to the social psychology of communication

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide an introduction to the weekly content, establish a basic level of understanding of the topic, provide opportunities for discussion and personal reflections, and signal areas for individual further study and essential and further reading. Group activities are often linked to pre-class weekly reading

Structured Guided Learning activities provide students with weekly opportunities to consolidate learning through guided tasks linked to the weekly topic.

Independent study will enable wider reading, further personal self-reflection and assignment preparation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

All skills and knowledge will be assessed through an end of module essay, in which students will produce a critical evaluation of some aspect of social psychological theory and how this relates to communicative practices.

General Notes

N/A