The Evolution of SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY:
1901: Constructive Sociology. Professor Wells. This is an attempt to formulate the Laws of social evolution and social organization. It is an analysis of phenomena that are regarded as at once physical and mental, but whose ultimate explanation must be in terms of Sociology Psychology. The end constantly in view of a true interpretation of social facts, in the concrete terms of science.
1904: Psychological Sociology (Social Forces). Professor Wells. This approaches social facts from the mental side, considering them as expressions of the human mind or products of human effort. It attempts to explain human society and human institutions from within, by a method of scientific interpretation.
1911: Social Psychology. Professor Woods. This course approaches social facts from the mental side. It considers the elements of human nature, the reactions of individuals in society, the role of imitation and suggestibility, and the psychological foundations of social order.
1921: Social Psychology. Professor Mecklin. An analysis of the origin and function of individual mental processes as affected by other minds is made the basis for their discussion of the phenomena of the social mind. [1927 Added: A statement of the principles of the group mind with some attempt to apply them to the problems of class conflict and social control.]
1953: Collective Behavior. Professor Merrill. This course examines human behavior in certain representative collective aspects, such as groups, crowds, publics, mobs, classes, and masses. Attention is given to the collective aspects of social classes, their movements, and the rise and fall of individuals in the class structure. Myths and ideologies are considered as collective manifestations, with examples of each. Prejudice is examined as a collective phenomena, with an analysis of its contemporary manifestations and current efforts to control it.
1970: Small Groups. Professor Davis. A systematic analysis of interpersonal relations in face-to-face groups. Special emphasis is given to the theories of George Homans and to graph theory as a tool for structural analysis.
1970: Introduction to Human Relations. Professor Theriault, Associate Professor Kleck, and Mr. Morris. This course is designed to increase the understanding of self, interpersonal relationships, and small groups. Its basic objectives are (1) the development of knowledge about group behavior and about concepts for explaining such behavior; and (2) the development of skills of recognizing and understanding what is happening in groups, and of understanding the motives, purposes, and perceptions of others and of self. Much of the instruction is centered in the Human Relations Laboratory in which training groups are developed, where the learners’ own experiences may be converted into information for discussion and analysis. Students gain personal experience of the dynamics of groups and have opportunities to discover their own strengths and limitations in the practice of human relations skills. This course is jointly offered by staff members in Psychology and Sociology.
2018: Self and Society. Professor Lively. Social Psychology is the study of the relationships between the individual and society. It is an interdisciplinary field to which the work of sociologists, psychologists, and occasionally scholars from other disciplines is relevant. This course introduces students to social psychology primarily, although not exclusively, from a sociological perspective. First, the course will acquaint students with the range of theoretical perspectives that have been used to study social psychology. Second, it will familiarize students with empirical research that has been done to examine these theories. Third, it will permit students to explore particular social psychological issues in greater depth both within and across particular perspectives within social psychology.
2018: Social Psychology of Inequality. Professor Rogers. Sociological social psychology examines the relationship between individuals and the larger social systems in which they are embedded, including interactions, groups, institutions, and cultures. This course will use key social psychological concepts (e.g., status, power, stigma, justice, identity) to explore how inequality is created, reproduced, and resisted. We will study how inequality operates in different social and institutional contexts (e.g., work, family, schools), and for members of different social groups (e.g., race, class, gender, age).