PSYb1080 Social Psychology II

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Petr Macek, CSc. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Macháčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Ondřej Bouša (lecturer)
Mgr. Nikol Kvardová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Dominik Kovář (assistant)
Mgr. Dominika Monika Koritková (assistant)
Mgr. Anna Lázníčková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Petr Macek, CSc.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: prof. PhDr. Petr Macek, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 10:00–11:40 P31 Posluchárna I. A. Bláhy
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! PSY108 Social Psychology II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 18 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract

The aim of the course is to acquire basic concepts, knowledge, and some theories of social psychology (SP). Furthermore, it aims to acquire the basics of social psychological methodology and social psychological thinking. In addition to the necessary eclecticism, the course will focus primarily on cognitive social psychology. It builds on the study of social and interpersonal cognition (PSYb1070) and focuses primarily on social behavior, small social groups, and social behavior in large groups.



Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to: - understand basic terms and concepts in social psychology; - identify connections between social psychological phenomena; - describe and interpret individual behavior in interactions with others; - understand personality characteristics that help explain interpersonal perception and social behavior; - understand the basic principles and rules that apply to social cognition and intergroup relations - apply social psychological theories to human interpersonal behavior; - propose a social psychological question suitable for empirical research; - practically implement the administration of social psychology methods related to intra- and interpersonal perception, attitudes, and intergroup behavior.



Key topics
  • Topics of study and interpretation:
  • Social influences. Conformity, compliance, obedience. Conformity. Classic experiments focused on conformity. Informational and normative social influence. Conversion theory, social impact/influence theory. Compliance with requests for behavioral change.  Obedience to authority. 

  • Stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination. Principles of stereotype formation: social categorization, intergroup bias, theory of illusory correlation. Concepts of stereotypes in social psychology: social cognitive, social identity. Theories and stereotypes as social representations. Theories and explanations of prejudice (biological, prejudice theory and personality, cognitive, situational approaches to prejudice).  Situational explanations of prejudice. Reduction of prejudice. Responses to exposure to prejudice and discrimination. 
  • Close relationships. Psychological theories and models of close relationships. Friendship and romantic relationships. Social attractiveness as a factor influencing close relationships. Gains and losses in close relationships (trust, anxiety, competence, responsibility). Partnership and psychological theories of partnership. Stages of relationship formation, its dynamics and crises. Loss of a close relationship, social loneliness.   

  • Aggression. Types of aggression, hostility, violence, bullying. Theoretical approaches to aggression—evolutionary, physiological, frustration-aggression hypothesis, social learning, social identity approaches, Social Information Processing, General Aggression Model. Moral disengagement, deindividuation. Crowd behavior.    

  • Prosocial behavior. Concepts of prosocial and helping behavior, altruism. Motivation for prosocial behavior, empathy. Theories of prosocial behavior — evolutionary, social exchange, norms, bystander intervention model. Other individual and situational factors playing a role in prosocial behavior. 

  • Small social group: Definition, structure, dynamics, factors influencing group events. Influence of the group on the individual: social facilitation, groupthink, group polarization. Social loafing, cooperation, and competition. Psychological work with groups — work teams, training and therapeutic groups.  
Study resources and literature
    required literature
  • Sociální psychologie : teorie, metody, aplikace. Edited by Jozef Výrost - Eva Sollárová, Translated by Ivan Slaměník. Vydání 1. Praha: Grada, 2019, 759 stran. ISBN 9788024757759. URL info
  • ARONSON, Elliot; Timothy D. WILSON and Robin M. AKERT. Social psychology [Aronson, 2004]. 4th ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2004, lxii, 677. ISBN 0-13-121787-9. info
    not specified
  • ARONSON, Elliot and Robin M. AKERT. Social psychology. Edited by Timothy D. Wilson. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2005, xxxvii, 65. ISBN 0131327933. info
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
The course consists of biweekly thematic modules that typically include textbook and other readings, lectures, seminars and graded activities. Students are obliged read the assigned chapters in the course textbook and use the IS e-learning system to read the supplemental literature, which is available electronically in PDF and/or Word format.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
This course is based on lectures, reading of literature, and active active participation on seminars. Student will receive a final letter grade (A-F) for semester based on the following components: seminar paper, test of terminology, and final written exam (test).
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2026/PSYb1080