Social behavior: Insights from evolutionary psychology
This is a master and postgraduate course in evolutionary psychology with a focus on social behavior.
Both human and animal literatures will be surveyed, and relevant areas covered will include:
- Central issues and controversies
- Prosocial behavior and cooperation
- Parenting and kinship
- Social influence and group dynamics
- Aggression
- Intergroup prejudice and conflicts
- The evolution of language.
Information for new students autumn 2024
Please check below for important information to new students autumn 2024.
Mandatory registration
The semester starts on 2 September and in order to keep your place on the course, you must complete the mandatory registration!
Registration takes place 12–23 August in Ladok for students. To be able to log in to Ladok, you must first activate your university account, find link below. If you do not have a Swedish personal identity number, please get in touch with us (studieadmin@psychology.su.se) and ask for a one-time activation code before 22 August.
If you have problems with your registration, you must contact the Student Affairs Office at studieadmin@psychology.su.se no later than 22 August.
Conditionally admitted?
If you are admitted with conditions (that is, you do not yet meet the eligibility requirements), you will not be able to register online until your eligibility is confirmed. You must provide us with proof of eligibility (for example, a copy of your final transcript and diploma) before 14 August, to studieadmin@psychology.su.se.
Helpful links
Athena (Student learning platform)
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Course structure
As a registered student on this course you will find detailed course information and communication in the learning platform Athena. Login with your university account.
This course will not be given in the autumn semester 2024.
Course syllabus:
Social behavior, 7,5 credits. Autumn 2022 (285 Kb)
Teaching format
The course consists of lectures and seminars. Each week, students will read and discuss empirical and review articles germane to understanding basic human social behavior from an evolutionary psychology viewpoint.
Mandatory parts are
(a) Submission of three to five questions based on the literature for each seminar
(b) Active participation in all seminars
(c) Leadership of at least one seminar during the course
(d) Review paper
Expected study results
Upon completing the course students are expected to:
- understand, describe and critically reflect on aspects of evolutionary theory as applied in the context of social psychology
- describe, analyze and critically reflect on theoretical and empirical issues in evolutionary psychology with a focus on areas that relate to human social behaviour
- demonstrate skills required to participate in research, such as an ability to clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, orally in dialogue with others and in writing.
Assessment
To reach the course goals, students need to submit discussion questions to, and actively participate in every seminar, lead 1-2 seminars and receive a grade of E or higher on the review paper.
See course syllabus for detailed information.
Examiner
Course leader: Professor Torun Lindholm, tlm@psychology.su.se
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
A complete list of course readings is found in the course syllabus.
The list is subject to change until two months prior to the start of the course. In case the new course syllabus is missing on this page by then, please check with the course leader before you buy any expensive books etc.
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Course reports
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More information
This course is offered as an elective course in the International two-year master’s program in psychology, 120 credits.
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Contact
Registered students should primarily use Athena for teacher communication.
To contact the Student office or a Student Councellor, see below.
Student office - Master's levelMadeleine ArnwaldStudy Councellor and Student Administrator
Study councellor - Master's level
