PSYC2019 Personality and Social Psychology

This topic examines personality theory and assessment, and social psychological theory and research. The topic is concerned with interactions between the person and his or her social environment including society, groups, and other individuals, and how these interactions affect the person's thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The concept of interactionism will be used to explain how personality and social psychology can most effectively be applied to an understanding of human behaviour.

The topic is concerned with the interactions between the person and their social environment. Specifically, it examines personality theory and assessment, and social psychological theory and research. The scientific study of the person emphasises the way in which individuals differ from one another in a relatively consistent way, with a focus on processes internal to the individual. Social psychology, on the other hand, focuses on processes external to the individual, on how people think about, influence and relate to one another. This topic aims to provide students with an overview of both classic and contemporary approaches, and their application to understanding the dynamic social processes occurring in society.

1. Demonstrate understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the study of personality and social psychology
2. Analyse and critique theory and research in the field of personality and social psychology
3. Demonstrate an understanding of interactionism as a model for complex human behaviour
4. Apply theory and research in personality and social psychology to practical problems in everyday life