SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to develop an adequate mastery and awareness of communication processes from the psychological perspective. Specific objectives: 1. Knowledge and understanding: the first goal of the course is to introduce students to the main themes of social and communication psychology, highlighting the areas of study, vocabulary and methodologies of the discipline: to this end the course will address classical studies and fundamental approaches. Current perspective and recent developments will be introduced as well. 2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the second specific goal of the course is being able to apply the acquired knowledge to problems concerning communication, and to develop arguments in the light of the contribution provided by psychology, and social psychology in particular, to understanding the processes of communication also taking into account the change of perspective brought in the discipline from dialogic, rhetorical and discursive perspectives. 3. Making judgements 4. Communication Skills Further specific objectives of the course concern the ability to analyse and reflect autonomously on issues of social relevance in light of the theoretical-methodological tools provided by the course, these objectives will be pursued through targeted small group activities of analysis, writing and presentation in the classroom. Expected results: students will develop, starting from lectures, knowledge related to the main topics of social and communication psychology, and will acquire through practical exercises and thematic investigation new skills and mastery of the fields of study, the vocabulary and the methodologies of the discipline.

Channel 1
MAURO SARRICA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course will address the classical themes of social psychology and communication: After an introduction on the history, methodologies and epistemological premises of psychology, the course will introduce the contributions that the different traditions of research have provided to the understanding of themes such as perception of self and others, attitudes, causal attribution, altruism and aggression, dynamics of social change, relationship in the group and between groups, culture and social construction of reality. For each of these themes we will examine relevant empirical contributions, reflecting on the methods used and on the scientific debate related to the interpretation of these seminal research. Where necessary, the course will introduce contents of cognitive psychology (on memory, emotions, non-verbal communication, categorization, perception, ...) and basic knowledge of social psychology. The cultural dimensions of the psychological processes will then be addressed by deepening the paradigm shift and the rediscovery of investigative directions other than the mainstream. Contemporary disciplinary developments will be addressed as well such as discursive psychology, rhetoric and cultural psychology. In the second part of the course, different areas of communication will be analyzed, also through group exercises and investigations: interpersonal communication, persuasion, conformism, social influence, social representations and the discursive construction of ideologies.
Prerequisites
Previous experience is not required
Books
Handbooks: Leone, G., Mazzara, B.M., & Sarrica, M. (2013). La psicologia sociale. Processi mentali, comunicazione e cultura. Laterza. Cavazza, N. (2018). La Persuasione. Il Mulino 1 choice among: (further options will be communicated during the year) Riva, G. Nativi Digitali. Il Mulino Volpato,C.. Deumanizzazione. Laterza
Teaching mode
Lectures, aimed at achieving mastery and awareness of communication processes from the psychological perspective, knowledge and understanding of the main themes of social and communication psychology and the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in a competent manner to problems concerning communication. Group exercises focussing on communication issues, aimed at developing capabilities to apply the acquired knowledge to problems concerning communication, and to develop arguments in the light of the contribution provided by psychology, to make critical judgements, and to communicate what has been learned. In consideration of the Covid-19 emergency and with reference to the evolution of government and health authority regulations, the lessons may also be held at a distance or in mixed mode (in presence and at a distance), in any case ensuring compliance with safety regulations on the occasions in presence
Frequency
Attendance is optional and is intended as an active participation in lectures, small group practical exercises and in-depth study.
Exam mode
The exam is written (recognition and recall) and oral and aims to evaluate the adequate mastery and awareness of the areas of study, the lexicon and methodologies of the discipline. The oral examination will also evaluate the analytical and reflection skills and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in a competent way to problems concerning communication, arguing in light of the contribution provided by psychology. If possible, attending students can evaluate the achievement of the training objectives throughout the course, through exercises and reports produced in small group. DSA and disability tutoring and teaching support service Students registered in the DSA and disability service may contact the Department of Communication and Social Research's teaching contact person, Prof. Lucia D'Ambrosi email dsa.coris@uniroma1.it, for specialised tutoring and teaching support services. These services are carried out in agreement with the Coris Department's Orientation, Tutoring and Placement Commission. Requests for specific supports to take examinations must be sent at least ten days before the test to the Disability Service and the DSA Service at the following email addresses servizio.disabilita@uniroma1.it for the Disability Services; servizio.dsa@uniroma1.it for the DSA Services by including the email address of the Contact Person (dsa.coris@uniroma1.it) in copy knowledge. Further information: https://web.uniroma1.it/coris/dipartimento/governo/referenti/referente-degli-studenti-con-dsa
Lesson mode
Lectures, aimed at achieving mastery and awareness of communication processes from the psychological perspective, knowledge and understanding of the main themes of social and communication psychology and the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in a competent manner to problems concerning communication. Group exercises focussing on communication issues, aimed at developing capabilities to apply the acquired knowledge to problems concerning communication, and to develop arguments in the light of the contribution provided by psychology, to make critical judgements, and to communicate what has been learned. In consideration of the Covid-19 emergency and with reference to the evolution of government and health authority regulations, the lessons may also be held at a distance or in mixed mode (in presence and at a distance), in any case ensuring compliance with safety regulations on the occasions in presence
Channel 2
FLAVIA ALBARELLO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Exam Program Classical topics of social psychology of communication will be illustrated. First, a brief introduction on history, methodologies and epistemic premises of social psychology will be underlined. Then, contributions of the different research approaches on the understanding of the perception of self and others, attitudes, causal attribution, altruism and aggression, social change dynamics, intergroup and intragroup relations, culture and social construction of reality will be deepened. For each of these issues, relevant empirical contributions will be illustrated, deepening the methodology employed and the scientific debate underlying the interpretation of such pivotal research.
Prerequisites
None
Books
Obligatory books for the written part of the exam Leone, G., Mazzara, B.M., & Sarrica, M. (2013). La psicologia sociale. Processi mentali, comunicazione e cultura. Roma: Laterza. Cavazza, N. (2018). La Persuasione (3rd ed.). Bologna: Il Mulino. 1 book to be choosen from the following list for the oral part of the exam: Volpato, C. (2011). Deumanizzazione. Come si giustifica la violenza. Bari: Edizioni Laterza Riva, G. (2014). Nativi digitali. Bologna: Il Mulino.
Frequency
not mandatory
Exam mode
First part: written exam (30 questions with multiple choices answers in 30 minutes) + second part: oral exam on a third book that will be freely chosen by the student froms a list of selected texts. The first written part of the exam will be on obligatory books (Social Psychology manual + The persuasion)- The oral exam on the third text will add max 3 points to the score obtained in the 30 multiple choices first part of the written exam. If the student will request, in order to improve the result, the oral examination will include further questions on the whole program. For students attending classes, the final evaluation will include the evaluation on the first written part of the exam focussed on the program that will be treated in classes, evaluation of the group assignment that will substitute the open question on the third book.
Lesson mode
Classes will be provided in presence. Exercitations are planned to help the student verify self-learning. Group work will also be assigned as an application of knowledge developed by the student. To help the student prepare for the expected group work, ad hoc lectures will be taken on the specific issues related to the assignment. Google Classroom: to be defined Moodle to be defined
  • Lesson code1018911
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseCorporate and Public Administration Communication
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDM-PSI/05
  • CFU9
  • Subject areaScienze umane ed economico-sociali