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Libera Università di Bolzano

Psicologia sociale

Semestre 1 · 51089 · Corso di laurea in Servizio sociale · 6CFU · EN


The course offers an overview of social psychology, a branch rooted in the tradition of the social and cultural sciences. This perspective understands individuals as social beings whose
thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are shaped by their specific cultural background, their position within the social structure, and their historical context. The course equips students with essential psychosocial tools to understand the dynamics of interpersonal and intergroup relationships, as well as the broader interactions between individuals and their social environments. Particular emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking and analytical
skills in relation to contemporary social phenomena such as stereotypes, social conformity, the relationship between mass media and aggression, and gender relations. A specific focus is
dedicated to the issue of prejudice, examined from a psychosocial perspective. Understanding this phenomenon and identifying strategies to reduce it represent crucial challenges today,
fundamental for fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse identities and individuals belonging to different cultures, ethnicities, and religions.These competencies are especially
relevant for those aiming to work as technical collaborators in services for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities, and more broadly, for engaging with complex social contexts in a reflective, inclusive, and socially responsible way.

Docenti: Camilla Lasagna

Ore didattica frontale: 45
Ore di laboratorio: 0
Obbligo di frequenza: In accordance with the regulation

Argomenti dell'insegnamento
- Definition of Social Psychology - The Historical and Epistemological Foundations of Social Psychology - Social Cognition - Social Influence - Attitudes and Persuasion - Self, Identity, and Society - The Need to Belong - Intergroup Relations - Social Behavior: Aggression and Prosocial Behavior - Stereotypes and Prejudice - The Nature and Origins of Prejudice - Old and New Forms of Prejudice - Dehumanization - Sexism and Sexual Objectification - Strategies for Reducing Prejudice - Gender Differences and the Distribution of Social Power - Critical and gender theories - Methodology of Psychosocial Research - Epistemological Paradigms in Psychosocial Research - Research Methods - Research Designs - Explicit and Implicit Measures - Scale and Questionnaire Construction

Modalità di insegnamento
The lesson is held remotely in synchronous mode. The course will primarily consist of lectures where theoretical frameworks are consistently paired with laboratory research and real-life examples. Active and critical participation from students will be encouraged throughout the lessons. Teaching methods will include lectures with active student involvement, group discussions, analysis of videos and texts, and examination of research studies through independent reading and in-class reflections. Students with certified specific learning disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs are invited to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course in order to agree on appropriate teaching and examination methods. These arrangements will respect the learning objectives of the course while taking into account individual learning styles and providing suitable compensatory tools.

Modalità d'esame
Written assignment (60% of final grade) Formal requirements: the paper can be written in English or Italian, with a maximum length of 15,000 characters (including spaces; excluding bibliography). Oral examination (40% of final grade) An integrative discussion focused on the re-elaboration of the course content and experiences.

Criteri di valutazione
There is a single final assessment of the exam. The assessment of the written paper takes into account clarity of exposition, relevance, argumentative and logical ability, ability to use and rework the knowledge acquired, critical analysis ability, reflective ability. a) Knowledge and understanding of the texts (20% of the total grade) b) Ability to make connections between the texts (10% of the total grade) d) Autonomy of judgment and critical thinking (20% of the total grade) For the oral examination, the ability to make connections and to deepen and extend with personal and critical reflection the knowledge developed during the course is considered and assessed c) Ability to apply acquired knowledge (20% of the total grade) d) Autonomy of judgment and critical thinking (10% of the totalgrade) e) Translation of acquired knowledge into professionally applicable skills (10% of the total grade)

Bibliografia obbligatoria

English

  • DeLamater, J., & Ward, A. (2013). Handbook of Social Psychology. Springer or Gilbert, D. T., Fiske, S. T., Finkel, E. J., & Mendes, W. B. (Eds.). (2025). The handbook of social psychology, (6th ed.). Situational Press
  • Brown, R. (1995). Prejudice: Its social psychology. Blackwell Publishing.
  • Substitute articles for the text of Palmonari, A., & Cavazza, N. (2003). Ricerche e protagonisti della psicologia sociale. Il Mulino: Bologna.

Supplementary materials

  • Volpato, C., Andrighetto, L. (2015). Dehumanization. In International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (pp. 31-37). Oxford : Elsevier Inc.
  • Rudman, L.A., Glick P. (2021). The social psychology of gender: How power and intimacy shape gender relations. Second Edition. Guilford Press: New York

Italian

  • Andrighetto, L., & Riva, P. (2020). Psicologia Sociale: Fondamenti teorici ed empirici. Il Mulino: Bologna.
  • Brambilla, M., & Sacchi, S. (2022). Psicologia Sociale del Pregiudizio. Raffaello Cortina Editore: Milano
  • Palmonari, A., & Cavazza, N. (2003). Ricerche e protagonisti della psicologia sociale. Il Mulino: Bologna.

Approfondimenti:

  • Volpato, C. (2011). Deumanizzazione. Come si legittima la violenza. Bari: Laterza.
  • Volpato, C. (2013). Psicosociologia del maschilismo. Bari: Laterza.


Bibliografia facoltativa
  • Cottrell, C.A., & Neuberg, S.L. (2005). Different emotional reactions to different groups: A sociofunctional threat-based approach to “prejudice”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88, 770-789.
  • Crenshaw, K. W. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics, 1989 U. Chi. Legal F. 139.
  • Frost DM, & Meyer IH. (2023). Minority stress theory: Application, critique, and continued relevance. Current Opinion in Psychology, 51, 101579.
  • Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 491–512.
  • Jost, J. T., & Hunyady, O. (2005). Antecedents and Consequences of System-Justifying Ideologies. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(5), 260-265.
  • Kraus, M. W., Park, J. W., & Tan, J. J. X. (2017). Signs of Social Class: The Experience of Economic Inequality in Everyday Life. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(3), 422-435.
  • Wirth, J. H., & Williams, K. D. (2009). “Thet don’t like our kind”: Consequences of being ostracized while possessing a group membership. Group process & intergroup relation, 12, 111-127.


Altre informazioni
Teaching materials will be made available through online platforms. Students will have access to the slides provided by the instructor. The instructor will also support students in locating and obtaining the required bibliography, and will provide alternative materials when necessary.


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Obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile
Questa attività didattica contribuisce al raggiungimento dei seguenti Obiettivi di Sviluppo sostenibile.

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