Theory, research and application about attitudes. Attitudes change.
Attitudes conceptualization, organization and dynamics and attitudesbehavior
relationships. Psychological processes about social influence
and persuasion, attitude resistance. Fields of application and intervention.
Mandatory Books
-Maio, G., Haddock, G., Verplanken, B., (2022, Prima edizione Italiana a cura di Alparone, Aquino, Giammusso, Mirisola). Psicologia degli atteggiamenti. Edizione Terza. Casa Editrice Edra (Section 1,2,3)
- Brambilla, M. e Sacchi, S. (a cura di) (2022). Psicologia sociale del pregiudizio. Raffaello Cortina Editore (Chapters 1,2,3,4,5,6,9,10, 11,13,14).
Suggested Books
- It is suggested the revision of the basic concepts of matter using a
recent manual of Social Psychology.
Information and updates will be available on the course website (e-learning)
Learning Objectives
- Knowledge and understanding: knowledge and understanding of the
concept, structure and dynamics of attitudes, measurement of attitudes,
attitude-behavior relationships, psychological processes of social
influence with particular regard to changing attitudes and resistance to
change.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the application
fields of the psychology of attitudes; development of theoretical and
methodological skills to analyze the processes of formation and change of
attitudes; skills into using effective reference schemas for the analysis of
change interventions; understand the ethical implications of the research
focusing on knowledge and changing attitudes.
- Making judgments: ability to integrate previously acquired knowledge
with the specific contents of the course, to analyze to autonomously
processes of organization and changing attitudes, be able to think about
the ethical aspects of their future profession.
- Communication skills: ability to communicate acquired knowledge
clearly and make interesting observations about the course contents,
using specific terms adequately.
- Learning skills: learning ability necessary for analyzing critically and autonomously research material related to the course contents.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in psychology (at least: Social Psychology, General
Psychology, Developmental Psychology).
Teaching Methods
- Knowledge and understanding: lessons, thematic seminar and the use
of audiovisual aids and bibliographic material.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: practice in classroom, group
work.
- Making judgments: group work and discussions.
- Communication skills: oral presentation of the papers, group discussion.
- Learning skills: a participatory approach to learning will be emphasized.
Type of Assessment
Written and oral exam.
Written: multiple-choice questions and open or filling questions.
Oral: admission subject to passing the written test.
The final vote will take into account - together with the written and oral
test - the evaluation of classroom activities (for attending students).
Grade (18/30 as a pass mark).
Knowledge and comprehension skills will be evaluated through written
and oral exams.
Applying knowledge and understanding will be assessed during group
work and they will be evaluated through written and oral exams.
Making judgments will be assessed through practice in classroom and
oral exam.
Communication skills will be evaluated through written (open or filling
questions) and oral exams.
Learning skills will be evaluated through written and oral exams.
Course program
The course includes the study of theoretical, research and applied aspects of attitudes and their change. It requires knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of psychology, particularly social psychology. Attitudes are a construct
fundamental to many areas of contemporary research: prejudice, self-perception, interpersonal relationships, health, marketing and consumer behaviour, advocacy, politics and policy.
The course aims to explore the meaning of attitudes and their relationship to other psychological constructs (e.g. personality, emotions, mood, cognitive processes).
A first part of the course will deal with the history of the concept, the formation and organisation of attitudes, methods of measurement; the second part will examine the dynamics of attitudes and the relationship between attitudes and behaviour; a third part will examine a specific type of attitude, i.e. prejudice. Prejudice will be considered in its many aspects, from the definition of prejudice to the processes involved in its formation and the definition of prejudice profiles (ethnic, sexual, gender).
Sustainable Development Goals 2030
Good health and wellbeing, gender equality, reduced inequalities