Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Prof Rob Ward

1. To introduce evolutionary bases for group living, and how evolution has led humans to be highly susceptible to influence and manipulation

2. To provide an overview of some basic techniques of social influence

3. To arm students with defences against unwanted social influence

Indicative content

1. Evolution, social selection, and how evolution has led humans to be highly susceptible to influence and manipulation

2. Social norms

3. Basic principles of persuasion and how they can be used against you

4. Case studies in mass persuasion: The gambling industry; the UK's nudge unit; social media and the surveillance economy

threshold

Some basic consideration of the applications of social influence in the real world. Adequate knowledge of some of the key concepts in social influence. Some errors in use of material covered in class lectures. Weaknesses in understanding theoretical issues with multiple or significant factual errors. Limited evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research. Arguments are weak with no synthesis and without careful application to the question. Answer only briefly focussed on question and with some irrelevant material and poor structure. Grades in this criteria would range from a D- to a D+.

excellent

Depth of insight into the applications of social influence in the real world. Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of key concepts in social influence and evidence, going beyond what is covered in class lectures, to include further readings. Excellent understanding and original interpretation of theoretical issues with no factual errors. Clear evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research. Logically presented and defended arguments presented with coherent synthesis and original interpretation. Answer focussed on question, with no irrelevant material and clear structure. Grades in this criteria would range from a A- to a A*.

good

Clear insight into the applications of social influence in the real world. Substantial knowledge of key concepts in social influence, with evidence of knowledge from recommended further reading. Solid understanding and original interpretation of theoretical issues, mostly free of factual errors. Evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research. Logically presented and defended arguments presented with some original interpretation. Answer focussed on question, with little irrelevant material and clear structure. Grades in this criteria would range from a B- to a B+.

C- to C+

Some insight into the applications of social influence in the real world. Knowledge of key concepts in social influence, that stays close to what is covered in class lectures. Some understanding of theoretical issues, in which the interpretation stays close to what is covered in class lectures. Some evidence of critical analysis and evaluation of theory and research. Some arguments presented but with little synthesis or original interpretation. Answer focussed on question, with some irrelevant material and disorganised structure. Grades in this criteria would range from a C- to a C+.

1. Describe basic techniques of social influence, and be able to detect those techniques in practice

2. Describe ways in which evolution by social selection has led humans to be susceptible to manipulation by others

3. Test and evaluate techniques to guard against unwanted social influences.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
CLASS TEST	CLASS TEST MCQ 1	There will be multiple quizzes throughout the module, which will be administered via Blackboard and will assess knowledge and understanding of the material covered in the lectures.	7.50
COURSEWORK	Using persuasion principles	Students are provided with an attempt at social influence (a nudge policy or ad), and improve its effectiveness using identified principles of persuasion	30.00
COURSEWORK	Assess and Reflect	Respond to social influence events at the beginning of term. Compare with your response to social influence events at the end of term. Reflect on what principles were utilised by the events, were they effective, and were you able to defend yourself successfully or not	40.00
	CLASS TEST MCQ 2		7.50
	CLASS TEST MCQ 3		7.50
	CLASS TEST MCQ 4		7.50

		Hours
Lecture	There will be 2 hours of scheduled lecture time every week for 11 weeks excluding Reading Week.	22
Private study	During private study, students are expected to revise lecture content, do wider reading around the course material and prepare for assessments.	78

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
• Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
• Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
• Be sensitive and react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal psychological factors.
• Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
• Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
• Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.

Resource implications for students

Minimal -- access to a computer that can run an online experiment

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/psp-1003.html

Compulsory in courses:

• C880: BSC Psych with Cl & Hlth Psych year 1 (BSC/PHS)
• C88B: BSc Psychology w Clin & Health Psy (4yr with Incorp Found) year 1 (BSC/PHS1)
• 8X44: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psychology (Int Exp) year 1 (BSC/PHSIE)
• C88P: BSc Psychology with Clinical & Health Psy with Placement Yr year 1 (BSC/PHSP)
• C804: BSc Psychology (with International Experience) year 1 (BSC/PIE)
• C800: BSC Psychology year 1 (BSC/PS)
• C81B: BSc Psychology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 1 (BSC/PS1)
• C80F: BSc Psychology year 1 (BSC/PSF)
• C80P: BSc Psychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSP)
• C813: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology year 1 (BSC/PSYFP)
• C84B: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psych (4 yr with Incorp Foundn) year 2 (BSC/PSYFP1)
• C81P: BSc Psychology with Forensic Psychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSYFPP)
• C801: BSC Psychol w Neuropsychol year 1 (BSC/PSYN)
• C83B: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology (4yr with Incorp Found) year 1 (BSC/PSYN1)
• C84P: BSc Psychology with Neuropsychology with Placement Year year 1 (BSC/PSYNP)

Optional in courses:

• R1C8: BA French with Psychology year 1 (BA/FPSY)
• C681: BSc Sport & Exercise Psychology w International Experience year 1 (BSC/SEPIE)
• C680: BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology year 1 (BSC/SEXP)
• M1C8: LLB Law with Psychology year 1 (LLB/LPSY)