93508 - Social Prejudice

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will know the theoretical models, the fundamental methods of investigation and the practical course of actions leading to social discrimination, stereotypes and social prejudice

Course contents

The course is designed to provide advanced knowledge of fundamental issues of the human experience, such as the origins and persistence of old and new forms of social prejudice and their link with stereotyping and discriminative behaviours. A comprehensive summary and critical analysis of the state of theory and research on the causes and consequences of intergroup prejudice will be illustrated. Moreover, similarities and differences among distinct types of prejudice will be addressed.

Specific contents are the following:

Basic processes and differences among prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination (e.g., cognitive, affective and motivational processes)

General theoretical perspectives on the causes of prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination (e.g., individual, social, contextual factors and their interplay)

Prejudice in specific domains (e.g., ethnocentrism, sexism, hetero-sexism, ageism, weight bias)

Different measures, methodological challenges and tools for studying prejudice

Effects and reactions to social discrimination (i.e., effects on people’ well-being; protective strategies and bias internalization)

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific articles illustrating current research on specific topics will be made available in Virtuale.

Preparatory material to this course is the book by Brown, R. (2010) Prejudice: Its Social Psychology, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell. Chapters 2 and 3

Teaching methods

The course will be taught through frontal lessons.

Video-clips and varios digital instruments will be used to further explain and deep the different topics of the course.

Work groups will be mandatory.

Discussions will be strongly encouraged in order to understand how social-psychological process explain daily life phenomena, and facilitate the links with other psychological domains.

Assessment methods

The written exam at the end of the course will consist of 10 close format questions (1 point for each correct answer) and 2 open-ended questions to complete in 90 minutes.

The open ended questions will be evaluated 10 points each and the total mark will correspond to the sum of the points reached on the close and open ended questions.

The following criteria will be applied for the evaluation of open ended answers:

• Appropriateness and completeness of the information (e.g., references)
• Clarity of exposition
• Critical understanding of the topic (i.e., examples and reasoning)
• Coherence of the argumentation

During the course, students will be also asked to work in teams on given topics and prepare themselves for individual presentations and class discussions.

These activities will be evaluated and will contribute to students' final mark.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Teaching materials will be made available in the platform Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Michela Menegatti