The Social Self

Description

The course will cover both psychological theories and classic empirical findings of the self and its latest research progress, with a focus on cognitive, affective and societal consequences. In this course, we address fundamental issues about the self and its place in human life. We ask four basic questions: What is the nature of the self? How can we measure the self in mind and brain? What is the role of self in regulating behaviour in our daily lives? How do sociocultural experiences shape the self over time? Topics include (but not limited to) culture and the self, self-positivity bias, unconscious processes of the self, the dynamic self, the role of self in motivation, and self-regulation. Applications to real-world phenomena are discussed. Learning on this course is through lectures, discussions, and through practical experience in guided activities to help deepen your understanding of what the self ‘does’ for people and how researchers have scientifically tackled these topics.