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Social Influence and Groups

Code: 102602
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Psychology OB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Beatriz San Roman Sobrino
Email :
beatriz.sanroman@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Lídia Arroyo Prieto
Jesus Rojas Arredondo
Marc Castellví Canet
Nagore Garcia Fernandez
Rosanna Ramírez Nethersole
Sergi Parellada Guillamon
Nuria Sadurni Balcells
Marcel Balasch Dominguez
Beatriz San Roman Sobrino
Cristian Carrer Russell
Christian Díaz-Santos Guiu

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommendable to have previously studied the course "The social dimension of the person."


Objectives

In the first year course The social dimension of the person, subjects such as identity, attitudes, attraction, aggression, etc. have been studied. In this second course, the second one that the student will take linked to the area of Social Psychology, other psychosocial processes of influence will be looked at and students will be introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of group dynamics and intergroup relationships. Students are expected to:
- know some theoretical elements of the aforementioned topics and be able to analyse them in a practical way
- recognize the social dimension of the human being and the influence of sociocultural factors.

 

Learning outcomes

  1. Analyse and compare concepts and psychosocial processes that show the social dimension of individual behaviour of the person.
  2. Identify some of the psychosocial concepts and processes that enable the understanding and explanation of social interaction between people.
  3. Apply concepts and identify psychosocial processes in analysing the behaviour of the person in connection with their membership in social categories and their social context.
  4. Identify some of the psychosocial principles involved in the operation of the groups.
  5. Identify some of the psychosocial principles that allow understanding and explanation of social interaction in groups.
  6. Apply concepts and identify psychosocial processes in analysing the behaviour of the person in relation to their membership of certain social groups.
  7. Apply techniques for managing the group activity.
  8. Identify psychosocial principles involved in interaction between different social groups.
  9. Identify psychosocial principles permitting the understanding and explanation of in-group activity.
  10. Apply techniques to detect the main needs of in-group activity.
  11. Identify key techniques to gather information in a group.
  12. Identify the techniques of analysis and interpretation of information contained in a group.
  13. Recognise psychosocial concepts and processes from seeing classic experiences of social psychology.
  14. Use different ICTs for different purposes.
  15. Recognise and appreciate external assessment of personal actions.
  16. Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.

Contents

1.- Majority social influence

  • Social psychology and social influence
  • The notion of majority social influence
  • The normalization process and the creation of social norms
  • Classification of social norms and their violation
  • The autokinetic effect (Sherif)
  • Informational influence (uniformity)
  • Referent influence
  • The conformity experiment (Asch)
  • Normative influence (conformity)
  • Modulating factors of conformity

2.- Obedience to authority

  • The notion of obedience
  • The Stanley Milgram experiment
  • Base line experiment
  • Experimental conditions
  • Results
  • Criticisms and replications of the experiment
  • Agentic State
  • Processes of the agentic State
  • Disobedience is possible
  • The banality of evil

3.- Persuasion

  • The notion of persuasion
  • Theory of persuasive communication
  • Characteristics of dual-process models of persuasion
  • The elaboration likelihood model
  • Resistance to persuasion

4.- Minority influence

  • The study of active minorities
  • Influence as a reciprocal process
  • The notion of minority
  • Types of minorities
  • Characteristics of minorities
  • Active minorities and conflicte
  • Consistency
  • Autonomy and confidence
  • Negotiation style
  • Defections and detractions
  • Resistance to minority influence
  • Explanatory models of minority influence
  • Cognitive models
  • Socio-cognitive models
  • Power relations in a historical-social context

5.- Groups and collective movements

  • The study of groups in social psychology
  • Conceptualization of the group: definitions
  • Towards a characterization of the group definition
  • Stages of group development
  • Types of groups

5.1 Group structure

  • Notion of group structure
  • Classical approach and alternative approach
  • Elements of group structure
  • The concept of social role and types of social roles
  • Social role conflict and role strain
  • Concept of status
  • Group norms

5.2 Group cohesion

  • The concept of cohesion
  • Interpersonal attraction
  • The attractiveness of the group
  • Types of cohesion
  • Effects of cohesion
  • The measurement of cohesion
  • Cohesion and self-categorization theory

5.3 Group communication

  • The importance of communication within the group
  • Classical models of group communication
  • Communication networks
  • Psychosocial aspects of communication

5.4 Decision making

  • Normalization
  • Risk shift
  • Polarization
  • Groupthink


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Search for documentation 10 0.4
Study 30 1.2
Debates and virtual tutorials 15.5 0.62
Team work 28 1.12
Text reading 20 0.8
Analysis of practical cases, role playing and group dynamics (seminar, small groups) 24 0.96
Conferences 19.5 0.78
  • Theoretical sessions in which the lecturer explains theoretical elements of the subject.
  • Practical sessions of case analysis social influence.
  • Practical sessions of group dynamics.
Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
EV4e - Active participation in the activities of group dynamics sessions 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 15
EV4d - Active participation in the activities of group dynamics sessions 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 15
EV2 - Multiple choice exam on the contents of the theory program 25% 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14
EV4c - Active participation in the activities of group dynamics sessions 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 15
EV4a - Active participation in the activities of group dynamics sessions 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 15
EV3b- Practical case group report 12,5% 0 0 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
EV1 - Multiple choice exam on the contents of the theory program 25% 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14
EV4b - Active participation in the activities of group dynamics sessions 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 15
EV3a- Group report on the contents of the practical case 12,5% 0 0 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16
EV5 - Online Quizzes 5% 0 0 3, 5, 11, 12, 16

1. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT

Assessment in this course is based on the following learning activities:

  • Ev1 and Ev2: Multiple-choice exams

These assessment activities evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, theories, and research covered throughout the course.

  • Ev3a and Ev3b: Group assignments

These assessment activities require students to work collaboratively to produce a written group assignment.

  • Ev4a, Ev4b, Ev4c, Ev4d and Ev4e: Active participation in group dynamics sessions

Attendance at these sessions is mandatory.

  • Ev5: Online exercises

Throughout the course, students will complete a series of online exercises designed to assess their understanding and application of the concepts covered.

To pass the course, students must obtain a weighted average mark of at least 5 (on a 10-point scale) across all assessment activities and achieve a minimum mark of 4 (on a 10-point scale) in each of the two exams (Ev1 and Ev2).

Students who submit assessment activities accounting for less than 40% of the final grade will receive a "Not Assessed" status.

Any instance of plagiarism or academic misconduct detected in submitted work will result in a mark of 0 for the assessment concerned and will be reported to the programme coordination for the appropriate disciplinary action.

Students who meet the requirements established in Article 263 of the Academic Regulations may request a translated version of the Ev1 and Ev2 examinations by submitting the corresponding e-form during Week 4 (further information is available on the Faculty website).


2. RE-ASSESSMENT

  • Students who have completed assessment activities representing at least two-thirds of the final grade and have obtained an overall course mark below 5 but equal to or above 3.5 will be eligible for the resit assessment.
  • The resit assessment for Ev1 and Ev2 will consist of open-ended essay questions. The maximum final course mark that can be obtained through the resit assessment is 5.
  • Ev3a and Ev3b may be resubmitted during the continuous assessment period.
  • Ev4a, Ev4b, Ev4c, Ev4d, Ev4e and Ev5 are not eligible for resit.


3. FEEDBACK

In accordance with current regulations, feedback will be provided as outlined in the following table:

Type of Feedback Week
Ev1: Examen In class / Office hours 10
Ev2: Examen In class / Office hours 20
Ev3: Trabajos en grupo Written feedback 10 & 18
Ev4: Participación dinámicas In class 10 to 15
Ev5: Ejercicios en línea Digital platform 3 to 15


4. SINGLE ASSESSMENT

Single assessment must be requested online (via the corresponding e-form) within the established application period (further information is available on the Faculty website).

The assessment activities for students choosing this option are:

  • Ev1 and Ev2: Multiple-choice exams (25% + 25%)

These assessment activities evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, theories, and research covered throughout the course.

  • Ev3a and Ev3b: Group assignments (12.5% + 12.5%)

Students opting for single assessment are also required to work in groups to produce a written group assignment.

  • Ev4': Written examination on the group dynamics sessions (25%)


5. USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

The use of AI is permitted in this course as part of the learning process and in the preparation of assignments. AI is a technology that is already transforming many areas of society, including professional and academic contexts. The university provides an appropriate environment in which to become familiar with AI, explore its capabilities, and understand its limitations. The aim is not for AI to replace critical thinking or reflection, but rather to serve as a tool that enhances analytical skills.

The use of AI must be transparent and responsible. In all assignments where AI tools are used, students must identify the tools employed, briefly explain how they were used, and include a critical reflection on how AI influenced both the work process and the final outcome. In all cases, students' own contribution to the analysis and reflection must be substantial.

Bibliography

Fundamental

Feliu, J. (2003). Influència, conformitat i obediència. Les paradoxes de l'individu social. In T. Ibañez Gracia (Ed.), Introducció a la psicologia social (pp. 251-366). Barcelona: UOC.

Sánchez, J. C. (2002). Psicología de los grupos. Madrid: McGraw Hill.

Complementary

Acosta Ávila, M. T. (2006). La psicología de las minorías activas revisitada: entrevista con Serge Moscovici. Polis: Investigación y Análisis Sociopolítico y Psicosocial, 2(1), 141-177. Available at: http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/726/72620106.pdf

Apfelbaum, E. (1989). Relaciones de dominación y movimientos de liberación. Un análisis del poder entre los grupos. In J. F. Morales & C. Huici (Eds.), Lecturas de Psicología Social (pp. 261-295). Madrid: UNED.

Canto, J. M. (1998). Psicología de los grupos. Estructura y procesos. Málaga: Aljibe.

Cialdini, R. B. (2022). Influence. La psicología de la persuasión. HarperCollins Ibérica.

Doise, W., & Moscovici, S. (1984). Las decisiones en grupo. In S. Moscovici (Ed.), Psicología Social, I. Influencia y cambio de actitudes. Individuos y grupos (pp. 261-278). Barcelona: Paidós.

Doms,M., & Moscovici, S. (1984). Innovación e influencia de las minorías. In S. Moscovici (Ed.), Psicología social I(pp. 71-116). Barcelona: Paidós.

Huici, C. (1987). Definición y tipos de grupo. In C. Huici (Ed.), Estructura y procesos de grupo (Vol. 1). Madrid: UNED.

Huici, C., & Morales, J. F. (Eds.). (2011). Psicología de grupos I. Estructura y procesos. Madrid: UNED.

Huici, C., Molero, F., Gómez, Ä., & Morales, J. F. (Eds.). (2011). Psicología de los grupos. Madrid: UNED.

Martínez-Taboada Kutz, C., & Arnoso Martínez, A. (2024). Psicología de los grupos: esencia dinámica de la persona y de lo social. Aula Magna.

Milgram, S. (1980). Obediencia a la autoridad: un punto de vista experimental. Bilbao: Desclée de Brouwer.

Myers, D. G., & Twenge, J. (2019). Psicologia Social (13ª ed.). McGraw-Hill Interamericana de España S.L.

Neumayer, C., & Svensson, J. (2016). Activism and radical politics in the digital age: Towards a typology. Convergence, 22(2), 131-146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856514553395

Sammut, G., & Bauer, M. W. (2021). The psychology of social influence: Modes and modalities of shifting common sense. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108236423

Stangor, C. (2004). Social groups in action and interaction. New York: Psychology Press.

Van Zomeren, M., Postmes, T., & Spears, R. (2008). Toward an integrative social identity model of collective action: A quantitative research synthesis of three socio-psychological perspectives. Psychological Bulletin, 134(4), 504-535. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.134.4.504

Software

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Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 2 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 3 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 4 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 5 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 111 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 112 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 113 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 114 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 211 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 212 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 213 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 214 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 311 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 312 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 313 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 314 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 411 Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 412 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 413 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 414 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 511 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 512 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 513 Catalan first semester morning-mixed