Humans are fundamentally social beings. From our earliest cuddles with caregivers to our interactions in the metaverse, we develop and exist in a web of relationships with complex social identities. In this course, we will examine human development through the lens of social psychology. Students will gain an understanding of the psychological theories of social development and the history of the discipline. We will investigate the contexts in which social development occurs and discuss the challenges that children, adolescents, and adults face as they navigate social identities and relationships in the world today.

Across the world, we see a vast array of human experiences, beliefs, and practices. The importance of other people, however, whether conceived of as all of society or simply one other person, is of universal importance. In this course, we examine how our connections with others shape and impact our perceptions and interactions. We will explore the many contexts of social psychology, from the family room to the board room. Throughout it all, we will consider what theorists and researchers in the field have to teach us about how to improve and strengthen the social bonds that connect us all.

Renowned social psychologist, Professor Hazel Rose Markus, famously said, “You cannot be a self by yourself.” In this university seminar, we take this statement and explore it through the lens of social science and your own experience. The course begins by examining what the self and identity are and how they form in relation to others. From there, we move to thinking about how our environment shapes us throughout our lives. At the heart of the class, students will be asked to think and write about their own identity development and how the theories and research we read can help them lead more connected and fulfilling lives. goes here