PN4102 The Psychology of Social Change

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Seminars: Fridays 11-1

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr N Tausch

Dr N Tausch
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Nicole Tausch

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to social psychological thinking on the processes that promote, accompany, and hinder societal change. It covers current theoretical debates in social psychology about the structural and psychological factors that underlie social change and stability, and involves critical discussion of current empirical research in this area. Topics covered include the psychological underpinnings of collective action and minority influence; diversity, intergroup contact, and allyship; resistance to social change among privileged groups; antecedents and consequences of political polarization; radicalization, extremism and intergroup violence, and conflict resolution in divided societies. These topics will be addressed in lectures, student presentations, and group discussions. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to apply their learning to current events and social movements.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS PN3034 OR PASS PS3034 )

Assessment pattern

Take-home written exam = 100%

Re-assessment

Take-home written exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Weekly 2-hour lectures x 11 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

121

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Detailed understanding of strengths and limitations of different social-psychological approaches to social change
  • Ability to engage with current theoretical debates
  • Ability to handle primary sources material critically; ability to evaluate complex and conflicting empirical evidence
  • Ability to think about social phenomena through multiple perspectives and at multiple levels of analysis