PSY2042 Personality and social psychology

This unit explores key concepts in social psychology and personality theory, including the history and philosophy of, and evidence for, competing theories. Personality theories that are covered include: 1) psychodynamic theories of Freud and Jung; 2) phenomenological theories of Kelly and Rogers; 3) Eysenck's trait approach; 4) Costa and McCrae's five factor model; and, 5) Bandura's social learning theory. Social psychology concepts that will be covered include: 1) social cognition and influence; 2) social identity and attribution; 3) group dynamics and intergroup behaviour; 4) attitude and attitude change; and, 5) attraction and aggression. In each case, these theories will be applied and critiqued in light of contemporary evidence. Lectures and laboratory classes will help students to apply psychological concepts, and gain an understanding of how personality and social psychology influences individual and interpersonal behaviour.