Social Psychology is a branch of Pure Psychology that deals with group behaviors or the influence of social or socioeconomic aspects on individual behavior, actions, thinking processes, attitudes, and other related topics.
Social Psychology doesn't only deal with how the socioeconomic aspects influence our behaviors, it also deals with how our actions can influence society, our perspective of seeing society.
The way we perceive things will greatly influence our behavior and action towards society.
All the psychological aspects that influence individual behaviors in society or the socioeconomic aspects that influence the individual’s behaviors will be dealt with under this very field called Social Psychology and the persons dealing with them are called Social Psychologists.
- What are Social Psychology Courses?
- Why Study Social Psychology?
- Who Should Study Social Psychology?
- Types of Social Psychology Courses
4.5 Doctoral courses
9.1 Top Job Profiles
9.2 Top Recruiters
9.3 Salary
What are Social Psychology Courses?
- They are the courses that will help you master understanding behaviors, feelings, actions, etc. evaluating them and explaining the possible triggers for those kinds of behaviors and actions.
- In addition to just analyzing and explaining them, you will also be guided on how to lend your helping hand in order to make them feel better.
- In the period of your learning, you will be taught how to start the evaluation, what are all the factors that need to be analyzed, how to come up with a precise evaluation, etc.
- You will also be taught in planning stuff, counseling, patient management, etc.
- You will understand how to make use of various scientific techniques and therapies to help your patient get better.
However, Social Psychology courses are not so prevalent at the colleges and they will be studied under a common course, Psychology. If you wish to master Social Psychology, there will be some certification courses online which you can make use of.
Why Study Social Psychology Course
India is no more a country that believes only in traditional medicine and stuff. Our country has evolved and is continuing to evolve more at a really fast pace. And this evolution or development is not just restricted to technology, gadgets, automotive, infrastructure, etc. This has changed our lifestyles, the way we think, the way we react to things, the way we perceive, and whatnot. The changes are being seen from a very minute thing to a larger scale. All these changes definitely show influence on humankind and their behaviors. And we definitely need some people to assess them. And they are none other than Psychologists.
With the increase in demand for Psychologists, job or career opportunities are very high in India. Once you complete your study you can find work in several fields like clinics, community centers, schools, organizations, etc.
Who should pursue Social Psychology Courses
Almost everything in the world has been achieved only through passion and constant efforts. The same applies here too. The passion to study Social Psychology is the first requirement if you are thinking of getting into the field of Psychology.
Here is the checklist that you have to be made sure of before getting your hands on it,
- Passion to study Psychology.
- Interest in understanding human behaviours both in person and in groups.
- Interest to know how different factors influence a person psychologically and physiologically
- Curiosity to know how psychological factors and physiological factors are related to each other.
- Patient enough to listen to stories, watch the trends attentively.
-
Interest in research.
Types of Social Psychology Courses
| Type of Course | Courses | Average fee | Course provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree |
BA in Psychology BSc in Psychology |
20,000 to 30,000 |
Lady Shri Ram college Kamala Nehru college Christ University |
| Postgraduate degree |
MA in Psychology MSc in Psychology |
50,000 to 60,000 |
Indian Institute of Psychological Research Amity University |
| UG Diploma | Diploma in Psychology | 15,000 to 20,000 | CMR University Mata Gujri College |
| PG Diploma | PG Diploma in Psychology | 30,000 to 40,000 | Institute of Excellence in Higher Education Banaras Hindu University |
| Doctoral Courses | Ph.D. in Psychology | 50,000 to 60,000 | Punjab University Kurukshetra University |
Undergraduate degree courses
You can also call them Bachelor's degree courses. They can be pursued anytime after completion of the 12th class.
| Name of the Course | Duration of the Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| BA in Psychology | 3 years | 12th Class Pass |
| BA in Applied Psychology | 3 years | 12th Class Pass |
| BSc in Psychology | 3 years | 12th Class Pass |
Postgraduate degree courses
Postgraduate degree courses will give you a broad knowledge about everything that you have learned during your undergraduate course. These courses help you get more hands-on practice that will help you excel in the field.
| Name of the Course | Duration of the Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MA in Psychology | 2 years | Bachelor's Degree in Psychology |
| MSc in Psychology | 2 years | Bachelor's Degree in Psychology |
| MA in Applied Psychology | 2 years | Bachelor's Degree in Psychology |
| MPhil in Psychology | 2 years | Bachelor's Degree in Psychology |
UG Diploma courses
These are short-duration courses compared to the degree courses. They can be done anytime after the completion of class 12.
However, Diploma courses are available in specific areas of interest like Child Psychology, Family Psychology, Clinical Psychology, etc.
| Name of the Course | Duration of the Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| UG Diploma in Psychology | 1 to 2 years | 12th pass or Graduation in any field from a recognized university |
PG Diploma courses
These courses are also of short duration just like the UG Diploma courses. But these can be undertaken only after completing at least one course in Psychology at the undergraduate level.
| Name of Course | Duration of Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| PG Diploma in Psychology | 1 to 2 years | Psychology degree |
| Advanced Diploma in Psychology | 1 to 2 years | Psychology degree |
| Professional Diploma in Psychology | 1 to 2 years | Psychology degree |
Doctoral courses
After completing a Postgraduate course in Psychology, one can choose this kind of Doctoral course which will help them in having a better understanding of things.
| Name of the Course | Duration of Course | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Psychology | 1 to 2 years | Post Graduation degree in Psychology |
Certification courses
Certification courses are something of the shortest duration. The duration here also depends on the mode of study. The courses will be of a considerable period if taken through a college. But, these kinds of certification courses can also be taken online which will be of some hours of duration and you will be provided with the certificate on successfully clearing the examination.
Top Online Courses
Introduction to Psychology by edX
- This is a basic level course that will help you in understanding the basics of Psychology.
- Anyone can take this course. Interest is the only criteria to undertake this.
- This is a very short course that will be completed in a few weeks.
The things you will learn under this course are,
- How do we influence each other
- How can our actions be hurting someone at times
- How do we think of others and ourselves
- How does our behavior change with respect to socioeconomic aspects
- Basics of non-verbal communication
- Where and how did Prejudice and Stereotypes come from
Social Psychology by Coursera
This is a beginner course that will help you understand certain concepts of Social Psychology.
In this course, the concepts included are
- Social perceptions and misperceptions
- Sociology of Self-presentation and persuasion
- Obedience, conformity, and deindividuation
- Group behavior
- Helping, Hurting, and Peacemaking
Learn Social Psychology by Udemy
This course is designed for an easy understanding of Social Psychology.
This course will guide you in,
- Understanding research in Psychology
- Develop understanding over other people
- Perform better in Social Psychology class
- Understand social influences on everyday life
Learn Social Psychology - The Self and Self Esteem by Udemy
This course can be said as the continuation of the Learn Social Psychology course
The things that will be learned in this course are,
- Understand how people view themselves and how this informs their choices.
- Know how to interact efficiently with different people.
- Have insights into the complexities of human psychology
X series program in Introduction to Developmental, Social and Clinical Psychology
- This course is being provided by edX.
- From the name, you can understand that this course is basically a combination of 3 disciplines of psychology.
Things that you will be learning in this course are,
- Understanding human behavior in social settings
- Appreciation of how we develop in our lives
- Understanding why we act the way we do in certain situations
- Understanding over common Psychological disorders and their treatment modalities.
-
If you are someone who is interested in psychology in general rather than being particular about Social psychology, this course would be the top suggestion from my side.
| Name of the Course | Course Provider | Duration of Course | Fee details | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Social Psychology | edX | 7 weeks (1 to 2 hours per week) | 7,353 | Yes |
| Social Psychology | Coursera | 7 weeks (38 hours approximately) | Free enrollment | Yes |
| Learn Social Psychology | Udemy | 5 hours | 6,000 | Yes |
| Learn Social Psychology - The Self and Self Esteem | Udemy | 1 hour | 1,300 | Yes |
| X series program in Introduction to Developmental, Social and Clinical Psychology | edX | 7 months (1 to 2 hours a week) | 26,500 | Yes |
Other Social Psychology Courses by the above platforms
| Online Platform | Other Social Psychology Courses |
|---|---|
| Udemy | Social Psychology Foundation Certificate Social Psychology: Hidden Influences of your behaviours |
| edX | Science of Everyday Thinking |
| Coursera | Social Context of Mental Health and Illness Children’s Human Rights - An Interdisciplinary Introduction |
Course Syllabus
Social Psychology is a broad course and needs understanding over different concepts. The syllabus for the social psychology course is designed in a way such that all those important concepts are not missed out.
| Chapter or Topic | Subtopics |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to Social Psychology |
What is social psychology Evolution of social psychology Is social psychology really just common sense Relation of social psychology to other fields Application of social psychology in regard to other cultures |
|
Research methods |
How do researchers test ideas Different types of correlational research methods Ethical issues in conducting research in social psychology Influence of culture in research findings |
|
Self-perception |
Self-awareness Factors influencing self-awareness Influence of social factors in self-perception |
|
Self-presentation |
How do people connect themselves to others How culture influences self-presentation |
|
Social Perception |
How do we perceive others actions Errors we make while thinking about other people How do we form impressions through nonverbal behavior Influence of culture on social perception |
|
Social cognition |
How shortcuts lead to errors How do beliefs create reality Influence of culture on social cognition |
|
Attitude formation and change |
How do we form attitude When to predict behavior bases on attitude Attitude changes because of being engaged in a behavior |
|
Persuasion |
What is persuasion Factors influencing persuasion How can you resist persuasion Influence of culture on persuasion |
|
Social influence |
How do social norms influence behavior What leads to conformity What leads to compliance What leads to obedience |
|
Group processes |
How do groups influence behavior How do intragroup processes influence decision-making? How do leaders guide and motivate the group How do groups handle social dilemmas |
|
Intergroup relations |
How do different theories explain intergroup relations How does intergroup conflict develop How can intergroup conflict be resolved |
|
Stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination |
What factors contribute to stereotyping and prejudice What are the consequences of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination Is stereotyping inevitable How can social and cognitive interventions help overcome prejudice? |
|
Aggression |
Definition of aggression How do biological factors influence aggression How do social psychological factors influence aggression? How do the media influence aggression How can we reduce aggression |
|
Altruism and prosocial behavior |
How do situational factors influence helping Does pure altruism exist Who gets help when they are in need |
|
Interpersonal attraction and close relationships |
What is love What predicts a happy and healthy relationship What are some common problems in close relationships |
Top colleges for Social Psychology
As I said before, the dedicated course and its colleges are not really available in India. You will have to study Social Psychology as a part of the curriculum in Psychology degree courses. So, here are the best colleges where you can study Psychology
Top Colleges for Undergraduate level course in Psychology
| College Name | Course name | Duration of Course | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lady Shri Ram College For Women | BA (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | 14,050 Rs |
| Jesus and Mary College | BA (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | 16,210 Rs |
| Jai Hind College | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 6,000 Rs |
| Fergusson College | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 9,250 Rs |
| Indraprastha College for Women | BA (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | 24,000 Rs |
| Mithibai College | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 18,000 Rs |
| Christ University | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 45,000 Rs (For Karnataka state residents) 65,000 Rs (For other state students) |
| St. Xaviers | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 6,000 Rs |
| Kishinchand Chellaram College | BA in Psychology | 3 years | 6,000 Rs |
| Kamala Nehru College | BA (Hons) in Psychology | 3 years | 30,000 Rs |
Top Colleges for Postgraduate level course in Psychology
| College Name | Course Name | Course Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Institute of Social Science | MA in Applied Psychology | 2 years | 48,000 Rs |
| Indian Institute of Psychological Research | MSc in Psychology | 2 years | 1,10,000 Rs |
| Amity University | MA in Psychology | 2 years | 80,000 Rs |
| Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi | MA Psychology | 2 years | 33,500 Rs |
| Ambedkar University | MA in Psychology | 2 years | 40,000 Rs |
Skills needed to be a Social Psychologist
Social Psychologists generally work in groups of people. So, they need to be having certain skills.
- Verbal and nonverbal communication - No matter if a psychologist is in groups or alone, he/she needs to always be well versed.
- Listening skills - People come to you to share their stories. A psychologist is nothing without listening skills.
- Critical thinking - Not all the stories are the same. Some of them can be at the edge of a cliff. They can only be helped with critical thinking.
- Ethical thinking - Every problem doesn’t always have a single solution. Sometimes, there may be multiple ways to solve it. But, the most ethical one always turns out to be the best one.
- Open-mindedness - Each story has its own reasons. When you can’t understand it yourself, how will you be able to come up with a proper solution? So, open-mindedness is a must to be a psychologist
-
Research skills - Every psychologist needs a researcher. No matter the role of a Psychologist, one needs to always be interested in conducting his/her own research to help the patient or a community heal.
Scope for Social Psychologists
Psychology is in rising demand in India. Once you are certified as a Social Psychologist, you can find a lot of career options.
Top Job Profiles
- Social Psychologists - They work at the community level and help societies in creating a better world to live in.
- Psychotherapists - Psychotherapists are people who use different psychological techniques and therapies to heal patients.
- Counselor - Counselling psychologist is a person who will speak to the patient and understand the patient’s behavior and counsel them in order to bring the change in their minds.
- Clinical Psychologist - Clinical Psychologists work in clinics and they help in treating the patients.
- Educational and Career Counselor - They work similar to Counselors, but work especially in the educational field. Career counselors get in contact with people and help them in choosing the career path that is more apt to them.
- Consultant - A consultant does not actually treat the patient. Rather, they refer the patient to a suitable psychologist.
- Welfare Worker - Welfare workers strategize plans that help in enhancing the quality of life.
-
Child Counselor - Child counselors are almost the same as counselors but have got very good hands-on kids and work especially on them.
Top Recruiters
- NGOs
- Mental Healthcare Centers
- Counseling Centers
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Survey Agencies
- Educational Institutes
- Educational Consultancies
Salaries for different Job Profiles
| Job Profile | Salary |
|---|---|
| Social Psychologist | 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Psychiatrist | 4,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Industrial Psychologist | 4,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Neuropsychologist | 5,00,000 - 6,00,000 |
| Clinical Psychologist | 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Forensic Psychologist | 4,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Counseling Psychologist | 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Sports Psychologist | 5,00,000 - 6,00,000 |
| Child Psychologist | 4,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Educational Psychologist | 7,00,000 - 9,00,000 |
Social Psychology Courses: FAQs
Ques: Can I get financial aid to do a Social Psychology course?
Ans: Yes, most of the colleges have financial aids in the form of scholarships or freeships. But, it is always better to get it confirmed before you step into college.
Ques: How can I get a job opportunity after my Psychology study?
Ans: You can start your own practice as a Psychologist or you can contact the recruiters like NGOs, Educational institutions, etc. You can even search for the job online through the various platforms available.
Ques: What does a Social Psychologist mainly work on?
Ans: They mainly work on the socio-economic aspects like Social thinking, Social behavior, Social influences, etc.
Ques: What are the research areas of Social Psychology?
Ans: They conduct research on a wide range of things. A few of them are Attitudes, Social behaviors, Aggression, Social influence, etc.
Ques: Are the issues like Inequality, Symbolic interactionism, Group dynamics related to Social Psychology?
Ans: Well, the answer would be yes. Social Psychologists deal with all such social issues.
Ques: What are the best websites to learn the Social Psychology course?
Ans: Udemy, edX offers you a lot of courses and you can select from them at your convenience.
Ques: Will I be eligible to do MSc in Psychology after completing BA in psychology?
Ans: Generally, BSc is the eligible course that has to be completed to do MSc. However, You can contact the college management and ask if you can still pursue MSc after BA.
Ques: Are all Psychologists the same?
Ans: No, there are a lot of kinds of Psychologists. Social Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Psychiatrist are a few of them.
Ques: In case a person is having some disturbances in mind, can a Social Psychologist help him?
Ans: Personal mental disturbances are generally dealt with by Counselling Psychologists or Clinical Psychologists. But, if there is any underlying socioeconomic reason, Social Psychologist can be of great help.
Ques: Can I set up my own clinic after completing the Social Psychology course?
Ans: Yes, you can happily open your clinic after you are a certified student. And, you will have to go through some general procedures to start a clinic.
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