PSYCH 716 : Social Psychology and Interpersonal Processes
Science
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by social interactions. PSYCH716 focuses on applying theory and research in social psychology (and related disciplines) to understand psychological processes in the context of interpersonal relationships. Social relationships are the foundation of human life, which means most psychological processes are best examined and understood within relational contexts. Using theoretical and empirical work examining close relationships (e.g., intimate relationships, parent-child relationships, other familial relationships), this course will cover an array of key social processes that shape people’s relationships and their health and wellbeing. This course is suitable for students enrolled in a PGDip or Hons degree in psychology. The course is not part of any specialisation and is relevant to include in any PGDip or Hons programme.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Review and synthesize theory and research in social psychology and interpersonal processes. (Capability 3 and 4)
- Evaluate research methodology and the strength of evidence within a specific area of interest. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
- Discuss theory and research, critically and analytically. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Communicate knowledge in a concise, informative and interesting manner. (Capability 1, 6, 7 and 8)
- Generate clear guidelines for future research and/or design a research study on interpersonal processes. (Capability 4, 5 and 6)
- Actively participate in their own learning and the learning of others. (Capability 1, 6, 7 and 8)
- Be responsive to questions and criticisms regarding their own work and ideas. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Provide constructive feedback on other students’ presentations and research proposals. (Capability 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Apply research and theory in social psychology to understanding how to improve social wellbeing. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment | 35% | Individual Coursework |
| Written Assignment | 35% | Individual Coursework |
| Seminar Presentation | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Reflection Exercises | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Participation | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 5 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Written Assignment | ||||||||||
| Written Assignment | ||||||||||
| Seminar Presentation | ||||||||||
| Reflection Exercises | ||||||||||
| Participation | ||||||||||
Key Topics
Topics covered are organized around three themes: (1) enduring personal vulnerabilities or resilience factors that shape expectations, perceptions, and behavior within social relationships; (2) the external stress and contexts people face that challenge how people think, feel, and behave in social relationships; and (3) processes that determine whether people effectively adapt to key challenges in social relationships. Students will also have the opportunity to explore these topics in the context of other types of interpersonal relationships (e.g., work, intergroup, caregiving, health) and from the lens of other relevant perspectives and disciplines.
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. For each week of this course, you can expect 2-3 hours of in-person class seminars and activities, 1-2 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 6 hours of work on assignments.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
- Attendance is required at the class each week.
- Each class will not be available as a recording.
- The course will not include live online events, including group discussions.
- The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.