Psychology - People and Relationships - Arnold Library - Adult Learning

Explore how our interactions are shaped by group dynamics and social expectation, and discover how we are influenced by others—whether they are present or not. Through interactive discussions, thought-provoking case studies and a look at landmark psychological experiments, you’ll gain insights into the forces that drive human connection and conflict. You’ll also consider how these findings relate to everyday life, from helping behaviour and friendship to prejudice and peer pressure.

If you are interested in people, their behaviour and their influence on others then this course is for you. Over 4 weeks this course will introduce you to key ideas from social psychology, focusing on how people think, feel and behave in relation to others. Examine what psychologists have discovered about human relationships with topics including: identity and belonging, social influence, prejudice, prosocial behaviour, group conformity and obedience.

Covering classic studies from Asch, Milgram, Latané, Zimbardo, Heider, Aaron, Sherif, Clark, Elliott and many more. No prior subject knowledge or previous psychological study is required.

By the end of the course, you will:

Define the term social psychology and explain its relevance to personal and professional relationships.

Describe Social Identity Theory, with examples from workplace or social settings.

Summarise the main findings from Milgram’s study on obedience and Asch’s work on conformity, and outline how they apply to group dynamics in modern work environments.

Explain the concept of prosocial behaviour and analyse real-life examples of the Bystander Effect, including how these behaviours might manifest in the workplace.

Compare and contrast how cultural and situational factors impact personal relationships and team interactions.

Apply Attribution Theory to interpret common misunderstandings or conflicts in professional or peer relationships. Reflect on how social and psychological influences affect your own approach to relationships, including teamwork and communication styles.

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of Social Identity Theory in promoting inclusion and cohesion within diverse work teams.

Assess how conformity and obedience may support or hinder decision-making in the workplace.

Collaborate effectively in group discussions or activities, showing respect for diverse perspectives and applying relevant psychological concepts.

What you will need to bring to the course:

Suggested Reading for the course:

The Power of Us by Jay Van Bavel, Dominic J. Packer

Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade by Robert Cialdini

Social Psychology for Dummies by Daniel Richardson