Syllabus
* Syllabus: Lectures
1. Introduction to the subject.
2. Interpersonal threats and automatic motives.
3. The motivation of belonging.
4. Cultural variation in self-expression motivation.
5. Sharing motivation.
6. Four forms of prosocial motivation: egoism, altruism, collectivism and principlism.
7. Why are people engaged? Motivation for volunteering and other forms of social management.
8. Understanding the psychology of trust
9. Social endocrinology: Hormones and social motivation.
10. Power-Based Theory: A Psychoecological Approach to Power Seminars The seminars will take place in the form of approximately 15-minute reports, which will cover the topics discussed, with an emphasis on the possibility of their application in the work area, in the business space, companies, organizations. Subsequently, there will be a discussion about them. The seminar topics are as follows:
1. The motivation of belonging. The need to belong. Retribution and revenge. Negative effects of social isolation and ostracism. Social exclusion. Striving for full membership in the community, society.
2. Cultural variation in self-expression motivation. What is most and least valued in collectivist and individualistic cultures/societies. Expression and suppression of emotions. Social appropriateness and the possibility of self-expression. The need for self-esteem. Variability in speech expressions. The value of (free) choice. The search for happiness and harmony.
3. Sharing motivation. Tailoring motivation to the membership group. Common interests and goals. Social contagion. Popularity. The relationship between sense of relatedness and school/academic success/performance. Adapting to the motivations of others vs. individualism. Conformity and independence. Obedience to authority. Uncritical adoption of negative attitudes and values towards other groups.
4. Egoism and altruism. Positive feelings from helping others. Altruism and human nature. The relationship between empathy and altruism.
5. Collectivism and principlism. Motivation bringing group profit. Motivation to create and maintain impartial moral principles (justice). Moral hypocrisy.
6. Why are people engaged? Motivation for volunteering and other forms of social management. The psychological experience of community. Social identification. Group Membership. Gaining respect, self-respect. Participation in social movements. Civil behavior.
7. Understanding the psychology of trust. Trust in the unknown. The logic of trust. The rationality and irrationality of trust. Experimental games based on the riskiness of trust. Trust between close people.
8. Social endocrinology: The influence of hormones on behavior and motivation in men and women. Hormones and social motivation. Testosterone and status. Testosterone and aggression. Testosterone and cooperation. Testosterone and romantic relationships. Oxytocin and affiliation/cooperation. Progesterone and affiliation/cooperation. Hormones and mood.
9. Psychoecological approach to power. Inequality. Forms of power. Power strategies and tactics. Social status. Stress response.
Annotation
Annotation:
During human evolution, individuals were and are dependent on others, especially during childhood and adolescence. However, even in adulthood it is necessary to rely on mutual coordination and cooperation. The need to tune in to a "common wavelength" can also be seen in the power of influence that others have on our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. As a result of social pressure, people conform to the opinions of others and to social groups with which they identify much more than they realize. Thus, it is highly likely that among the most important motives of people is the effort to find their way in their social world. The main questions that will be addressed in the course are:
What goals do people set for themselves within the social arena?
What rewards are they trying to get/achieve?
What penalties and costs are they trying to avoid?
What drives are they trying to satisfy?
Within the course, three basic motives and their corresponding connections will be discussed: 1. The need to belong 1.1. Tactics of determining "relationship value" to others 1.2. Collectivist and individualistic culture 1.3. Consequences of belonging and principles of social identity theory 2. Desire to help others 2.1. Four categories of altruism: altruism ultimately benefiting oneself, another person, group, or upholding a moral principle 2.2. Goals of volunteering and other forms of civic participation 2.3. The psychology of trust and economic games 3. The need to gain status, influence and power 3.1. Social motivation and hormones 3.2. Why people desire power and how they gain influence 3.3. A theory excusing the system of social hierarchies
The mentioned topics form the content of the Social Motivation course.