Wake Forest University Rome: Social Psychology (Summer)
Discover Rome: Social Psychology (Summer)
Students on this program will be enrolled in PSY 260: Social Psychology for 3 credit hours.
Social psychology involves the study of the ways in which human behavior, thought, and emotion are affected by the presence or actions of other people, as well as by the social context. Topics to be covered include social cognition, attitudes, social influence, aggression, interpersonal relationships, group behavior, and cultural influences, with an emphasis on the fundamental psychological processes that underlie these phenomena. In addition to examining theory and research in social psychology, the course will examine the methods that behavioral researchers use to study interpersonal processes. The course also offers students an opportunity to become familiar with research methods commonly used in experimental social psychology research and to develop skills in critically evaluating social psychological claims. The required reading list serves as a global introduction to important issues as well as a set of specific examples that have put social psychology research methods to practical use. Although the model of learning will include lecture and class discussion, the course will be supplemented with a “learning by doing” approach. Rome is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations attracting people from all over the world. Especially during the Summer months, Rome is ideal for conducting field research in social psychology, primarily because Rome’s major attractions bring people outside and into more public locations (e.g., Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc.). Students gain valuable insights and knowledge through a field study replication component.
Dates and Deadlines
Term | Year | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
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Program Description
Need Help? Get an advisor at 1-336-758-5938
Social psychology involves the study of the ways in which human behavior, thought, and emotion are affected by the presence or actions of other people, as well as by the social context. Topics to be covered include social cognition, attitudes, social influence, aggression, interpersonal relationships, group behavior, and cultural influences, with an emphasis on the fundamental psychological processes that underlie these phenomena. In addition to examining theory and research in social psychology, the course will examine the methods that behavioral researchers use to study interpersonal processes. The course also offers students an opportunity to become familiar with research methods commonly used in experimental social psychology research and to develop skills in critically evaluating social psychological claims. The required reading list serves as a global introduction to important issues as well as a set of specific examples that have put social psychology research methods to practical use. Although the model of learning will include lecture and class discussion, the course will be supplemented with a “learning by doing” approach. Rome is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations attracting people from all over the world. Especially during the Summer months, Rome is ideal for conducting field research in social psychology, primarily because Rome’s major attractions bring people outside and into more public locations (e.g., Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, etc.). Students gain valuable insights and knowledge through a field study replication component.
Summer Session I: May 24, 2020 to June 27, 2020.
Summer Session I: May 24, 2020 to June 27, 2020.
Rome, Italy
More than just the world's largest history museum, Rome is a modern metropolis filled with the energetic movement of espresso driven locals and tourists alike. Its windy ancient streets lead to discoveries of all sorts, and when the bustle of the city starts to wear you out, there is always a nearby cafe or gelato shop to revive you. Be sure to watch out for the speeding Vespas and Fiats while enjoying the views of ancient monuments or world class people watching, and feel no shame about the copious amounts of pasta and pizza you consume. A summer in Rome is sure to be an unforgettable one.
More than just the world's largest history museum, Rome is a modern metropolis filled with the energetic movement of espresso driven locals and tourists alike. Its windy ancient streets lead to discoveries of all sorts, and when the bustle of the city starts to wear you out, there is always a nearby cafe or gelato shop to revive you. Be sure to watch out for the speeding Vespas and Fiats while enjoying the views of ancient monuments or world class people watching, and feel no shame about the copious amounts of pasta and pizza you consume. A summer in Rome is sure to be an unforgettable one.
Students will take PSY 260 Social Psychology for 3 credit hours.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the field of social psychology and its unique approach to understanding, predicting, and controlling human behavior. Topics include methods in several areas of study, such as attitudes, judgment and decision making, social cognition, social perception, attribution processes, group dynamics, stereotypes and prejudice, and emotions. We approach these topics from the perspective of a researcher who is taking a theoretical approach to understanding the dynamics of these areas. In addition, we explore the various methodological challenges that make the task of research in social psychology especially challenging (e.g., field vs. laboratory research, the nature of independent and dependent variables in social psychology research, ethics, and research settings).
This course is also designed to establish the “feel" of an active research lab through completing a field study replication. Doing so involves taking a previously reported social psychological study and replicating/testing it in the field (i.e., in the real world where everything, such as the cultural context, matters). Students form small groups and work together to conduct replication studies and present a report of their findings. This component of the class provides the experience of being an experimental social psychologist.
All aspects of traditional social psychology will be covered by the course. Some of the learning will occur experientially (i.e., by doing). However, the study abroad course will also include a field study replication component. Field research is research that occurs outside the laboratory, for example, in schools, office buildings, medical clinics, football games, or even in shopping malls or on street corners. By trying to capture social behavior as it occurs out in the world, field research studies have the great advantage of mimicking the very context/environment that one is trying to generalize his/her research conclusions. This is important because the world is a complex place and researchers need to study that complexity.
This course is designed to familiarize students with the field of social psychology and its unique approach to understanding, predicting, and controlling human behavior. Topics include methods in several areas of study, such as attitudes, judgment and decision making, social cognition, social perception, attribution processes, group dynamics, stereotypes and prejudice, and emotions. We approach these topics from the perspective of a researcher who is taking a theoretical approach to understanding the dynamics of these areas. In addition, we explore the various methodological challenges that make the task of research in social psychology especially challenging (e.g., field vs. laboratory research, the nature of independent and dependent variables in social psychology research, ethics, and research settings).
This course is also designed to establish the “feel" of an active research lab through completing a field study replication. Doing so involves taking a previously reported social psychological study and replicating/testing it in the field (i.e., in the real world where everything, such as the cultural context, matters). Students form small groups and work together to conduct replication studies and present a report of their findings. This component of the class provides the experience of being an experimental social psychologist.
All aspects of traditional social psychology will be covered by the course. Some of the learning will occur experientially (i.e., by doing). However, the study abroad course will also include a field study replication component. Field research is research that occurs outside the laboratory, for example, in schools, office buildings, medical clinics, football games, or even in shopping malls or on street corners. By trying to capture social behavior as it occurs out in the world, field research studies have the great advantage of mimicking the very context/environment that one is trying to generalize his/her research conclusions. This is important because the world is a complex place and researchers need to study that complexity.
Dr. John Petrocelli
Scott Family Faculty Professor of Psychology
Phone: (336) 758-4171
Email: petrocjv@wfu.edu
Website: https://psychology.wfu.edu/john-petrocelli/
Scott Family Faculty Professor of Psychology
Phone: (336) 758-4171
Email: petrocjv@wfu.edu
Website: https://psychology.wfu.edu/john-petrocelli/
Students will be housed in apartments in the center of Rome. The apartment size varies from two bedroom to five bedroom units. All units have fully stocked kitchens so students make their own meals. Each unit also has laundry facilities and bedding and towels are also included. Usually all units are within walking distance to classrooms.
Colosseum and Roman Forum
The goal of this excursion will be to observe compliance techniques employed by tour guide businesses
to get tourists to purchase tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Basilica Di San Silvestro in Capite
The Church of San Silvestro in Capite offers services in English. Father John Fitzpatrick S.A.C (Rector),
will be a guest speaker and he will be asked to speak on the importance of faith and religion in modern
day Rome as well as to comment on the article by Darley and Batson (1973) with respect to prosocial
behavior of modern day Romans.
Gierre Auto
Gierre Auto is a car dealership near the Termini. A salesperson will be recruited to serve as a guest
speaker to discuss how to successfully sell a car in Rome. Students will be encouraged to identify
principles of social influence and compliance.
Ristorante Santi
Santi and Mama have operated their small, family run restaurant for 60 years. The purpose of this
excursion is to learn more about how food and dining play important roles in everyday Italian lifestyle as
well as to listen to anything that Santi and Mama are willing to share on what being Italian means. A
Italian-English translator will be recruited to facilitate this communication.
The goal of this excursion will be to observe compliance techniques employed by tour guide businesses
to get tourists to purchase tours of the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
Basilica Di San Silvestro in Capite
The Church of San Silvestro in Capite offers services in English. Father John Fitzpatrick S.A.C (Rector),
will be a guest speaker and he will be asked to speak on the importance of faith and religion in modern
day Rome as well as to comment on the article by Darley and Batson (1973) with respect to prosocial
behavior of modern day Romans.
Gierre Auto
Gierre Auto is a car dealership near the Termini. A salesperson will be recruited to serve as a guest
speaker to discuss how to successfully sell a car in Rome. Students will be encouraged to identify
principles of social influence and compliance.
Ristorante Santi
Santi and Mama have operated their small, family run restaurant for 60 years. The purpose of this
excursion is to learn more about how food and dining play important roles in everyday Italian lifestyle as
well as to listen to anything that Santi and Mama are willing to share on what being Italian means. A
Italian-English translator will be recruited to facilitate this communication.
- Prerequisite - PSY 151
- Good academic standing
The total cost of summer study abroad can be broken down into four categories:Program Fee - Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some group meals and other costs associated with the program.
Tuition – Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour. The 2019 summer rate was $900/per credit hour, expect a small increase for summer 2020.
Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students' spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.
Program Fee (estimated) - $3,300
Tuition (3hrs) - $2,700
Airfare (estimated) - $1,600
Personal Expenses (estimated) - $1,300
Estimated total cost - $8,900
Tuition – Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour. The 2019 summer rate was $900/per credit hour, expect a small increase for summer 2020.
Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students' spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.
Program Fee (estimated) - $3,300
Tuition (3hrs) - $2,700
Airfare (estimated) - $1,600
Personal Expenses (estimated) - $1,300
Estimated total cost - $8,900
Scholarships are available through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.
John Petrocelli
Scott Family Faculty Professor of Psychology
Phone: (336) 758-4171
Email: petrocjv@wfu.edu
Website: https://psychology.wfu.edu/john-petrocelli/
Tyler Favale
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
336-758-4072
favalet@wfu.edu
Scott Family Faculty Professor of Psychology
Phone: (336) 758-4171
Email: petrocjv@wfu.edu
Website: https://psychology.wfu.edu/john-petrocelli/
Tyler Favale
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
336-758-4072
favalet@wfu.edu