Psyc 470.003/570.003 = Minimester

The Self

9:30-1:00 MTWR in LA 2118<= /p>

Instructor: Justin T. Buckingham, Ph.D.

Office: LA 2152<= /o:p>

Office hours: after c= lass or by appointment

Phone: 410-704-3214

Email: jbucking@towso= n.edu

Course Description:=

Exa= mination of psychological theory and research on self and identity. T= opics include positive illusions, self-serving biases, self-regulation, self-este= em, and socio-cultural influences on the self.

Course Objectives:

· = To learn about the concepts and methods social psychologists use to understand= the self.

· = To learn about and critically evaluate specific researc= h on the self.=

· = To integrate scientific knowledge about the self in a meaningful way.

· = To apply the concepts discussed in class to understanding others and ourselves= .

· = To further develop effective discussion and presentation skills.

Required Readings:

· = Articles available on Blackboard or Psycinfo (see list on course calendar).

Disability Statement<= /span>

If you need accommoda= tion due to a disability, see me after class. Please bring with you a statement from Disability Support authorizing your accommodation.

Academic Integrity

The course will be co= nducted in accordance with the University academic integrity policy. Therefore, stu= dents are responsible for knowing and complying with the policy (see Catalog). Penalties for violating the policy could include 1) a reduction of your gra= de, 2) a grade of F for the course, or 3) more severe disciplinary action taken= by university authorities.

Course Requirements:

1. Class contribution: You are expected to keep up with the readings, attend every class, and be an active participant in class discussion. I expect you to contribute at least one thought provoking question or comment= to each class.

Your= class contribution counts for 15% of your final grade.

2. In-class Assignments. Each day, there will be at least one assignment or quiz that you will compl= ete in class. The sum of these assignments counts for 35% of your final grade.<= o:p>

3. Illustrat= ions. To demonstrate your familiarity wi= th course concepts and to enliven the course, each student will be expected to bring in a song, movie or TV clip, poem, or cartoon that illustrates a spec= ific course concept. The illustration must be presented (briefly) to the class w= ith an explanation of the concept and how the selected example illustrates the concept. Illustrations must be completed by 1/11.<= /p>

This assignment counts for 5%= of your final grade.

4. Oral Presentation<= /span>

Students will present researc= h on a topic chosen through consultation with the instructor. Undergraduates will = be given 15 minutes to present; graduate students will be given 20 minutes to present.

This assignment counts for 20= % of your final grade.

5. Take-home comprehensive essay= final exam (based on class notes and readings). The exam counts for 25% of your f= inal grade. There will be a choice of essays.

Undergraduate Grad= e Scale:

= A 94-100% A- 90-93%

B+ 87-89% B 84-86% B- 80-83%

C+ 77-79% C 70-76%

D+ 67-69% D 60-66% F 0-59%

Graduate Grade Sca= le:

A 94-100% A- 90-93% B+ 87= -89%

B 80-86% C 70-79% &= nbsp; F 0-69%

Tentative Course Calendar

Date	Topics, Articles to be read by this date.
1/3	Introduction to the Self &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; · What is the Self?= · Methods of Research · Self-Concept · Culture and the Self
1/4	Self-Esteem Theories · Affective vs. Cognitive Models · Sociometer = Model · Terror Management Theory Baumeister, R. F., Campbell, J. D., Krueger, J. I., & Vohs, K. D. (2003). Does high self-esteem cause better performanc= e, interpersonal success, happiness, or healthier lifestyles? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4, 1-44.= <= o:p>
1/5	The Importance of Self-Esteem · Self-Esteem and behavior · Social Identity Theory · Alternative Perspectives on Self-Esteem= C= rocker & Knight (2005). Contingencies of self-worth. Current Direct= ions in Psychological Science, 14, 200-203.
1/9	Positive Illusions · &nbs= p; The Better-Than-Average Effect · &nbs= p; Unrealistic Optimism · &nbs= p; Illusion of Control Dunning et al. (2003). Why people fail to recogni= ze their own incompetence. Current Directi= ons in Psychological Science, 12, 83-86.
1/10	Positive Illusions · &nbs= p; Implicit Egotism · &nbs= p; Illusion of Improvement · &nbs= p; Illusions and Mental Health Pelham et al. (2005) Implic= it Egotism. Current Directions in Psychological = Science, 14, 106-110.
1/11	Dealing with Threats to the Self · &nbs= p; Self-Serving Attributions · &nbs= p; Self-Handicapping · &nbs= p; Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Affirmation · &nbs= p; Self-Esteem Differences
1/12	The Self and Social Comparison · When and Why do People Compare with Ot= hers? Suls, J., Martin, R., & Wheeler, L. (2002). So= cial comparison: Why, with whom, and with what effect? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(5), 159-163.
1/16	No Class: MLK Day
1/17	The Self and Social Comparison · Consequences of Social Comparison (Assimilation and Contrast) · &nbs= p; The Frog Pond Effect · &nbs= p; Social Comparison & Health Alicke, M.D., Zell, E., &a= mp; Bloom, D. (2010). Mere categorizatio= n and the frog-pond effect. Psychological Science. Student Presentations<= o:p>
1/18	Self-Regulation · &nbs= p; Cybernetic Theory · &nbs= p; Self-Efficacy · &nbs= p; Strength Model · &nbs= p; Self-Discrepancy Theory Baumeister et al. (2007). The strength model of self-control. C= urrent Directions in Psychological Science, 16, 351-355. = Student Presentations
1/19	Self-Presentation Student Presentations
1/23	Student Presentations Final Exam Due