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PSYC 882 - Ideology and Automaticity |
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This class will consider a wide range of phenomena considered to fit into the category of an implicit process or cognition. Implicit cognition may include processes or content that exists outside of introspective access, is influential on individual thinking and acting without being recognized, or is active and influential without intention or ability to control. The material for the course sits at the intersection of Social and Cognitive disciplines in that much of this research attempts to understand the basic cognitive processes that give rise to unexpected or uncontrollable behavior that unfolds in a social context. We will review the major themes and theories of this field with a focus on current issues of debate. In addition, we will examine some of the major constructs of interest to researchers of implicit cognition such as memory, learning, affect, stereotypes, and motives. The reading materials will be available at http://briannosek.com. [Auditors will need to complete requirements #1 and #2 below to participate.]
(1) Discussion Questions: 1 (or 2 depending on class size) discussion question on the week’s readings (13 total), to be submitted to session organizer by the Sunday before class at noon. These questions plus class participation is 30% of the total grade. (2) Leading Discussion: Each person in the class will be the session organizer for 1 class meeting (or 2 depending on class size). This person will receive the week’s discussion questions, organize the questions to promote class discussion, and lead class discussion. This task is worth 10% of the total grade. (3) 3 short papers: Each of these papers should state a research controversy or problem in need of a solution. Each paper should be NO MORE than 2 pages (double-spaced; normal margins; 11 or 12 point font). The paper should fit one of the following formats: (1) identify a problem raised by the week’s readings and argue for a specific solution based on existing research, (2) identify a problem raised by the week’s readings and develop then justify a test to solve the problem, or (3) offer an argument that extends or challenges an idea from the week’s readings. The three papers can be written at anytime, but no more than one for any given week. The paper must be turned in via email (nosek@virginia.edu) as a text, Word, or pdf file before the class in which those materials will be discussed. These papers count for 30% of the total grade. (4) Research proposal: The research proposal should raise a problem inspired by the class content and propose an experimental test. The paper could be presented as an empirical report (in APA format), or in the form of a grant proposal (NSF or NIH). The paper should be 15 pages or less (double-spaced; normal margins; 11-12 point font). If written as an empirical report, in addition to the introduction and methods, a brief results section should report the expected result (hypothetical data), and a discussion should present the implications of the finding for the problem. This paper is due one week after the last day of class (Dec 12th), but can be turned in at any point during the semester. This will count for 30% of the total grade. |