GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

The focus of this seminar is on a deeper understanding and analysis of how the self and culture shape how we feel, think, and behave, by drawing on empirical literature in social and cultural psychology. In both the spring and fall semesters, the seminar will meet once a week for 2 periods. In the spring, class time will be devoted to group discussions on assigned readings that examine the impact of social media on our psychological well-being and interpersonal relationships. Students will discuss whether social media can create fulfilling social connections, whether dependence on social media is really problematic, how culture shapes social media usage and its influence on our well-being, and whether how social media could be used to promote online and offline prosocial behaviors. Through readings and discussions, students will go beyond the simple debate that social media helps or impedes human interactions. In addition, third year students will decide on the research questions, hypotheses, and theories of the research they will pursue in the seminar. Fourth year students will collect data, run an experiment or a survey, and will analyze them using a statistical package of their choice (JASP, HAD, SPSS, or R).

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to achieve the following goals:
(a) To learn how social psychology can help understand our behaviors and decisions via literature review and in-depth discussion;
(b) To develop a working knowledge of different approaches and methods of social and cultural psychology;
(c) To develop a deeper understanding of our own lives, using knowledge and wisdom gained through the seminar;
and
(d) To develop research skills and knowledge to apply selected social psychological theories to a real-life context.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, “DP 3”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

This course combines several pedagogical strategies including student-led weekly class discussions and presentations. Students will receive oral and written feedback on their presentations and weekly reaction papers.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction and Overview

Share course overview, expectations, and requirements

2[対面/face to face]：Psychology of Social Media

Overview of psychological research on social media

3[対面/face to face]：Can Social Media Create Fulfilling Social Connections? (1)

What do humans need to flourish?

4[対面/face to face]：Proposing Research Ideas (1)

Discussing students' research proposals

5[対面/face to face]：Can Social Media Create Fulfilling Social Connections? (2)

What needs can be fulfilled through social media?

6[対面/face to face]：Are We Getting Too Dependent on Social Media? (1)

What are the negative consequences of using social media?

7[対面/face to face]：Proposing Research Ideas (2)

Discussing students' research proposals

8[対面/face to face]：Are We Getting Too Dependent on Social Media? (2)

Are the “negative” consequences really negative?

9[対面/face to face]：Cultural Differences in Social Media Behaviors (1)

How does culture shape social media use?

10[対面/face to face]：Proposing Research Ideas (3)

Discussing students' research proposals

11[対面/face to face]：Cultural Differences in Social Media Behaviors (2)

Does culture influence the way social media affects our psychology?

12[対面/face to face]：Prosocial Behaviors on Social Media

Can social media encourage prosocial behaviors?

13[対面/face to face]：Consequences of Online Prosocial Behaviors

Do online prosocial behaviors increase offline prosocial behaviors?

14[対面/face to face]：Final Synthesis

What have we learned and what are the next steps?

Students are expected to complete all the reading assignments, write bi-weekly reaction papers, and post them on the course website by the designated date. Those assigned to lead discussions will further prepare the summaries of the readings and discussion questions. Third year students will formulate research questions and hypotheses based on a comprehensive review of relevant literature on the topic. Fourth year students are expected to run their survey or experiment and collect data for their graduation thesis. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 4 hours each.

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The weekly readings and other resources will be posted on the course website.

Hacker, D. & Sommers, N. (2020). A pocket style manual. (8th ed.). APA Version.

Students are evaluated based on weekly reaction papers (30%), active participation in class discussion (20%), final synthesis paper (10%), and progress on their research project (30%). In addition, third year students are evaluated based on leading the discussion (10%) whereas fourth year students will be evaluated based on the research support they provide to third year students (10%).

Some students felt rushed during the discussion. We will meet 2 periods in a row to allow more time for in-depth discussion.

Students must get the login information for PyscINFO database from the library.

Students are strongly encouraged to have successfully completed the following courses prior to joining this seminar: Statistics, Social Psychology I and II, and Quantitative Research Methods. If students have not taken these (or equivalent) courses, they are required to take them in conjunction with this seminar. Instructor's permission is required.

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