SOCIAL PSYCOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
An adequate knowledge of the Italian language is required (at least B2 level), while no preliminary knowledge of psychology is necessary, as the first part of the course and the related teaching material introduce the discipline.
The exam will consist of an oral interview aimed at assessing the acquisition and correct understanding, as well as critical analysis, of the topics of the course. The final grade will take into account the accuracy and quality of responses, as well as communicative skills and the ability to articulate and adequately justify statements, establish connections, and provide relevant examples.
The general purpose of this course is to analyze the major theoretical and practical issues of the social psychology of communication. The course also aims to provide skills for promoting communication free from stereotypes and prejudices within companies and institutions. This is intended to highlight the individual characteristics of each employee and to encourage inclusive practices. These skills are an integral part of the emerging professional role of the Diversity Manager, a key figure in companies that promote inclusiveness.
Specific purposes of the course are:
- understanding the main authors of social psychology and their theoretical and research contributions
- developing skills to critically analyze theories, models and studies in social psychology
- understanding how interpersonal relationships in different social contexts influence communication and how communication is influenced by these relationships
- acquiring basic knowledge about stereotypes and prejudices, learning how to prevent and counteract them in journalistic, political, social and corporate communication
- Exploring the topic of microaggressions and learning strategies to prevent and counter them in companies and in daily, political, and mass media communication.
The course is organized into three modules:
1) An introductory part on psychology as a science, its research methods, and its main theoretical orientations.
2) An institutional part, where the fundamental theoretical and methodological references of social psychology applied to communication will be addressed.
3) A monographic part where the psychological and communicative processes — operating through spoken, written, and visual language — that perpetuate so-called microaggressions, a topic linked to stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination, and human aggression, will be explored in depth. Psychological and communicative strategies to reduce such phenomena and prevent societal differences from becoming socially accepted inequalities will also be examined.
INTRODUCTION (20 hours)
1) Psychology as a science
2) Psychology in mass media
3) Theoretical Orientations in Psychology: Psychoanalysis, Gestalt Psychology, Social-Cultural Theory, Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Systemic-Relational Approach, and Humanistic Psychology
4) Theoretical Perspectives of Constructivism and Social Constructionism
INSTITUTIONAL MODULE (24 hours)
1) Political socialization (Newcomb)
2) Field Theory, studies on leadership, and decision-making processes (Lewin)
3) Social norms, social groups, and intergroup conflicts (Sherif)
3) Processes of social influence (Sherif, Asch, Moscovici)
4) Persuasive communication (Hovland)
5) Obedience to authority (Milgram)
6) Communication in emergency situations (Bibb Latané and John Darley)
7) Categorization and Social Identity Theory (Henri Tajfel)
MONOGRAPHIC PART (20 hours)
1) Social psychology theories on human aggression
2) Prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination
3) Taxonomy and dynamics of microaggressions
4) Ethnic, gender, and sexual identity microaggressions
5) Preventing and countering microaggressions.
The teaching activities will be conducted through lectures, during which the professor will illustrate the course concepts using multimedia tools (e.g., images and videos of experiments, analysis of emblematic cases, and research studies). Active participation of students is encouraged. Students will be involved in guided classroom discussions led by the professor, as well as interactive activities. Exercises, and individual or group tasks that will be assigned. All students, whether attending or not, are required to use the educational materials provided by the professor on the e-learning portal. They will be able to interact with the professor both via email and during interviews via Teams scheduled by appointment through email.
The professor is available for clarification and explanations by appointment, which can be arranged by sending an email to the following address: paolo.bozzato@uninsubria.it
The final dissertation in this subject requires students’ active participation in one of the surveys coordinated by the professor on a topic of the student's choice or the following issues:
1) Future orientation: How do children, adolescents, or adults perceive their future (existential, educational, occupational, relational, familial, etc.) in our social context?
2) Gender and sexual identity stereotypes and prejudices: How do they influence behaviors and choices at different stages of life? How can mass media communication and social communication campaigns can intervene to limit such influence?
3) Ethnic, gender, and sexual identity microaggressions: investigate them in a chosen social context (school or other educational agencies, university, company, etc.) and identify communicative strategies to prevent and counteract them.
4) Problematic use of smartphones and the internet by adolescents and young adults: What are the risk factors and protective factors for problematic use of communication through technological tools?
The final dissertation in Social Psychology of Communication needs to be requested well in advance, and a preliminary meeting with the professor is planned to discuss the research area and provide an initial reading of some fundamental research contributions to assess one's interest in the topics and research methods. The reference literature is mostly in English and should be consulted using scientific databases (not Google or Wikipedia).