Social Cognitive Development – PSYC 812

CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course will explore and evaluate theories and empirical findings on the development of social cognition, a form of cognition. Students will engage knowledge of cognitive development and social development as we examine how research explains the role cognitive processes play in social interactions. Emphasis on the “social” aspects of social cognition will guide our focus on cognition in relation to the self, others, how we interpret feelings and emotions, and mental processes that influence perception and judgments within social groups.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

 

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a discussion thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion in Modules 4 and 6. Each discussion thread must be at least 500 to 800 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the discussion thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other classmate’s discussion thread. The Reply must be at least 250 to 500 words.

Reading Summaries (5)

The student is expected to “actively” read (survey, question, read, recite, and review) all required reading materials. For Modules 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the reading summary will include an integration of selected chapters from Fiske and Taylor’s (2017) text; Hamilton’s (2005) text; book chapter(s) and journal article(s) related to each module. The summary should include an introduction section, the body (three paragraphs) each with a major theme supported by at least two empirical sources and the conclusion section. Each reading summary should be (1.5 to 2 pages) in length. 

Article Critique (3)

For modules 2, 3, and 5, the student will select an empirical study in a peer-reviewed journal and formulate a written 4-page critique of that article. Special attention should be given to the research methods as it relates to the study of social cognitive development. These critique articles will equip students to scholarly critique peer-review literature. Students will learn how to critically dissect and evaluate empirical literature which will be beneficial for their final research paper (Module 7), their dissertation, and attaining scholarship in their discipline. Hint: Students can use these assignments to select articles that will add to the literature review for their Final Research Paper.

Research Paper

In Module 1, students will submit their selected topic. In Module 7, the student will write a 25-page research-based paper in current APA format that evaluates the selected topic related to social cognitive development. The paper must include at least 10 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Quiz: Midterm

The Quiz: Midterm will cover all contents from modules 1–4. This quiz will be open-book/open-notes, includes 5 short answer/essay question, and will have a 2-hour time limit.

Quiz: Final

The Quiz: Final will be comprehensive and will be open-book/open-notes. It will cover the Learn material in Modules 1-8, contains 50 multiple choice questions, 5 short essay questions, and has a 3-hour time limit.