Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PSYC 260 OL01

Introduction to Social Psychology (3)

Class Number: 5141

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Oct 21, 2025
    Tue, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Dec 16, 2025
    Tue, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Alyssa Croft
    acroft@sfu.ca
    Office: Online
    Office Hours: By appointment

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 102.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines methodology and content in social psychology. Topics include: attitudes and values; social perception and cognition; group behaviour; social includence; prejudice, discrimination, and sexism; aggression; altruism, interpersonal attraction and interpersonal relationships.

COURSE DETAILS:

This is an online course and weekly modules will consist of recorded lectures, podcasts, readings, and other materials that you will complete on your own. There are no synchronous elements of the course with the exception that the midterm and final exams will be held IN-PERSON at the Burnaby campus. If you cannot attend the exams in-person, please wait to take this course another term.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Topics:
This course is designed to provide you with an introduction to the fascinating field of Social Psychology. This means that we’ll be exploring both classic and current theories and research, while considering how this body of work can be applied to our own lives. Some topics that we will cover include: prejudice, relationships, culture, conformity, persuasion, and happiness.

Grading

NOTES:

The grading breakdown will be confirmed via Canvas in the first week of class.

The midterm and final exam for this course will be held IN-PERSON at the Burnaby campus. The midterm exam for this course will be held on October 21st at 4:30pm - 7:20pm at the Burnaby campus.

REQUIREMENTS:

This is a fully online course but the MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON ON THE SFU BURNABY CAMPUS; the PSYC 260 midterm exam will take place in-person on October 21, from 4:30pm - 7:20pm at the Burnaby campus. If you cannot attend the exams in-person, please wait to take this course another term.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Aronson, Elliot., Wilson, Timothy. D., Fehr, Beverley. and Akert, Robin. M. (2022). Social Psychology (7th Canadian edition). Pearson Education.
ISBN: 9780135498613

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.