Faculty of Arts and Sciences - Psychology
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 1
PSY320H1 S
Social Psychology: Attitudes
Winter 2024 Syllabus
Course Meetings
PSY320H1 S
Section Day & Time Delivery Mode & Location
LEC0101 Monday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Online Synchronous
Refer to ACORN for the most up-to-date information about the location of the course meetings.
Zoom link for lectures: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/81449900346 (password: 3202024)
Synchronous online lectures will be held via Zoom Mondays from 11am-2pm ET. Lectures will
be recorded and posted to Quercus by the end of the following day.
Course Contacts
Course Website: https://q.utoronto.ca/courses/339178
Instructor: Emily Schwartzman
Email: emily.schwartzman@mail.utoronto.ca
Office Hours and Location: Mondays, 2pm-3pm (immediately after lecture, in same Zoom
room); Thursdays, 11am-12pm, via Zoom - https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/88358118189 (password:
3202024)
Additional Notes: Please include the course code in the subject line for all emails. The
instructor and TA will answer course emails within 48 hours, excluding weekends.
Teaching Assistant: Evi Myftaraj
Email: evi.myftaraj@mail.utoronto.ca
Office Hours and Location: By appointment
Course Overview
Intensive study of social attitude development, description, measurement, modification, and
organization.
This course will discuss key topics in the study of social attitudes, including their structure and
organization, how attitudes are measured, and how attitudes develop and change.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge: By the end of this course, you should be able to name and apply theories
pertaining to the social psychology of attitudes. Moreover, you should understand key research
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 2
methods used in social psychology to explore topics related to attitudes.
2. Application: By the end of this course, you should be able to apply findings in the social
psychology of attitudes to your life and current events.
3. Scientific Thinking: By the end of this course, you should have a better understanding of
common research methods used in psychology, and you should be able to think of ways to
empirically examine research questions concerning the social psychology of attitudes.
4. Critical Evaluation: By the end of this course, you should be able to appraise and critique
different approaches to the measurement and modification of attitudes
5. Communication: By the end of this course, you should have improved your ability to
construct arguments and to communicate your thoughts verbally and in writing.
Prerequisites: PSY201H1/ ECO220Y1/ EEB225H1/ GGR270H1/ IRW220H1/ POL222H1/
SOC202H1/ STA220H1/ STA238H1/ STA248H1/ STA288H1/ PSY201H5/ STA215H5/
STA220H5/ PSYB07H3/ STAB22H3/ STAB23H3/ STAB57H3, PSY220H1/ PSY220H5/
PSYB10H3/ SOC213H1
Corequisites: None
Exclusions: PSY320H5
Credit Value: 0.5
Course Materials
Maio, G. R., Haddock, G., & Verplanken, B. (2018). The Psychology of Attitudes & Attitude
Change (3rd edition). Los Angeles: Sage.
(If you purchase an older edition, you are responsible for any differences in content. The
instructor is not able to provide a list of content differences).
The textbook is available in physical and ebook formats through the UofT Bookstore.
Marking Scheme
Assessment Percent Details Due Date
Check-in
Assignments (2.5%
each)
10% One-paragraph reflections
discussing and/or applying course
concepts. 4 assignments, due on
Sunday of the corresponding
week.
2024-01-21,2024-02-
04,2024-03-10,2024-
03-24
Midterm Test 25% Online open-book midterm
covering the first 5 weeks of
lectures and readings.
2024-02-12
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 3
Assessment Percent Details Due Date
Final Paper 35% Final writing assignment in which
you will propose an intervention to
change people's attitudes and/or
behaviour.
2024-03-31
Online Final Exam 30% Final Exam Period
More details about the midterm and the final paper will be provided in lecture and on Quercus.
The final exam will have the same format as the midterm (i.e., online and open-book) and will be
semi-cumulative.
Late Assessment Submissions Policy
There is no late penalty for assignments in this course, but submissions on Quercus will close 1
week after the due date (i.e., work that is 7+ days late will not be accepted or graded).
Course Schedule
Week Description Reading Work Due
Week 1
Jan 8
Introduction to Attitudes Chapter 1
Week 2
Jan 15
Research Methods & Measurement Chapter 1 Check-in #1 (Jan 21, 11:59pm)
Week 3
Jan 22
Attitude Content, Structure, & Functions Chapter 2
Week 4
Jan 29
Attitudes & Information Processing Chapter 3 Check-in #2 (Feb 4, 11:59pm)
Week 5
Feb 5
Attitudes & Behaviour Chapter 4
Week 6
Feb 12
NO LECTURE (midterm test)
Week 7
Feb 19
Reading Week
Week 8 Cognitive Influences Chapter 5
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 4
Feb 26
Week 9
Mar 4
Affective Influences Chapter 6 Check-in #3 (Mar 10, 11:59pm)
Week 10
Mar 11
Behavioural Influences Chapter 7
Week 11
Mar 18
External Influences Chapter 10 Check-in #4 (Mar 24, 11:59pm)
Week 12
Mar 25
Implicit Attitudes Chapter 9 Final Paper (Mar 31, 11:59pm)
Week 13
April 1
TBD
Policies & Statements
Late/Missed Assignments
There is no penalty for late assignments in this course, but you must submit assignments within
1 week of the due date listed in the syllabus. If you think you'll need additional time, contact the
instructor before the listed due date. If you request an extension after the assignment is officially
due (even if Quercus submissions are still open), you'll be expected to provide appropriate
documentation (i.e., ACORN Absence Declaration, Verification of Illness or Injury Form, Letter
of Academic Accommodation, College Registrar's letter, or equivalent).
Make-Up Test Policy
If you are unable to write the midterm test on February 12th, notify the instructor as soon as
possible, and no later than 7 days after the midterm. Be prepared to provide appropriate
documentation (Absence Declaration, VOI, Registrar's letter, or equivalent). Depending on the
circumstances, you may have the opportunity to write a make-up test, or your final grade may
be re-weighted to omit the midterm.
Students with Disabilities or Accommodation Requirements
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have an
acute or ongoing disability issue or accommodation need, you should register with Accessibility
Services (AS) at the beginning of the academic year by visiting
https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/accessibility-services/. Without registration, you will
not be able to verify your situation with your instructors, and instructors will not be advised about
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 5
your accommodation needs. AS will assess your situation, develop an accommodation plan with
you, and support you in requesting accommodation for your course work. Remember that the
process of accommodation is private: AS will not share details of your needs or condition with
any instructor, and your instructors will not reveal that you are registered with AS.
Specific Medical Circumstances
If you become ill and it affects your ability to do your academic work, consult me right away.
Normally, I will ask you for documentation in support of your specific medical circumstances.
This documentation can be an Absence Declaration (via ACORN) or the University's Verification
of Student Illness or Injury (VOI) form. The VOI indicates the impact and severity of the illness,
while protecting your privacy about the details of the nature of the illness. If you cannot submit a
VOI due to limits on terms of use, you can submit a different form (like a letter from a doctor), as
long as it is an original document, and it contains the same information as the VOI (including
dates, academic impact, practitioner's signature, phone and registration number). For more
information on the VOI, please see http://www.illnessverification.utoronto.ca. For information on
Absence Declaration Tool for A&S students, please see https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/absence.
If you get a concussion, break your hand, or suffer some other acute injury, you should register
with Accessibility Services as soon as possible.
Religious Accommodations
As a student at the University of Toronto, you are part of a diverse community that welcomes
and includes students and faculty from a wide range of cultural and religious traditions. For my
part, I will make every reasonable effort to avoid scheduling tests, examinations, or other
compulsory activities on religious holy days not captured by statutory holidays. Further to
University Policy, if you anticipate being absent from class or missing a major course activity
(such as a test or in-class assignment) due to a religious observance, please let me know as
early in the course as possible, and with sufficient notice (at least two to three weeks), so that
we can work together to make alternate arrangements.
Accommodation for Personal Reasons
There may be times when you are unable to complete course work on time due to non-medical
reasons. If you have concerns, speak to me or to an advisor in your College Registrar's office;
they can help you to decide if you want to request an extension or other forms of academic
consideration. They may be able to email your instructors directly to provide a College
Registrar's letter of support and connect you with other helpful resources on campus.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Toronto is committed to equity, human rights and respect for diversity. All
members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of
mutual respect where all members of our community can express themselves, engage with
each other, and respect one another’s differences. U of T does not condone discrimination or
harassment against any persons or communities.
Academic Integrity
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All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated following procedures outlined in
the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters
(https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/secretariat/policies/code-behaviour-academic-matters-july-
1-2019). If you have questions or concerns about what constitutes appropriate academic
behaviour or appropriate research and citation methods, please reach out to me. Note that you
are expected to seek out additional information on academic integrity from me or from other
institutional resources. For example, to learn more about how to cite and use source material
appropriately and for other writing support, see the U of T writing support website at
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca. Consult the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters for a
complete outline of the University's policy and expectations. For more information, please see
A&S Student Academic Integrity (https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academic-advising-and-
support/student-academic-integrity) and the University of Toronto Website on Academic
Integrity (https://www.academicintegrity.utoronto.ca).
Plagiarism Detection Tool
Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to the University's plagiarism
detection tool for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the tool's reference
database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that
apply to the University's use of this tool are described on the Centre for Teaching Support &
Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq).
Use of Generative AI
Generative AI is a new tool with interesting implications for academic writing and research. Like
any other tool, its role should be to supplement—not replace—the development of your own
independent knowledge and skills. As such, generative AI may be used for certain purposes in
this course, but not for others.
You are NOT permitted to use generative AI to write or otherwise assist with the check-in
assignments, the midterm, or the final exam. These assignments and assessments exist to
determine your understanding of the course material and your ability to apply course concepts;
your submissions should therefore be in your own words and reflect your own learning.
Submitting AI-generated work for these assignments or assessments will be treated as
academic dishonesty and will be subject to the procedures discussed above.
You may use generative AI for some aspects of the final paper. These include:
-Brainstorming ideas
-Outlining your paper
-Writing certain formulaic sections of your paper (more on this in March)
-Proofreading and editing
You may NOT use generative AI to write sections of the final assignment that should reflect your
own critical thinking and insights (e.g., literature review, discussion).
If you do use generative AI in any capacity in your final paper, you are required to document
your process thoroughly by saving all your prompts and outputs and submitting them as a
supplement to your final paper; missing or incomplete documentation will be considered
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 7
academic dishonesty, akin to failing to cite the source of a quote or an idea. Moreover, you will
remain fully accountable for any AI-generated content in your paper: If you include AI-generated
text that features faults such as unsound claims, improper citations, plagiarized writing, etc., you
will be subject to the same grade penalties and/or academic dishonesty procedures as if you
had written the text yourself.
Participation in Class
During class, you will have the opportunity to ask questions in real time, as well as participate in
discussions and activities with your classmates via voice and via text-based chat. Synchronous
lecture attendance is not required, but is strongly encouraged.
Re-marking Policy - Timeline and Protocol
Please think carefully before contesting your grade for an assignment or test. Your course
instructors and TAs work very hard to mark course assignments and tests as fairly as possible.
If you have concerns about how an assignment was graded, you must first meet with the TA
who graded your term work during that TA’s office hours. If after your meeting you still would
like to have your term work re-graded, you must contact the instructor within 2 weeks of the
return of the term work. If your request is granted, the instructor will re-grade an item of term
work once and re-grading may result in an increase in grade, a decrease in grade or no change
in grade.
Mental Health and Well-being
As a student, you may experience challenges that can interfere with learning, such as strained
relationships, increased anxiety, substance use, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or
lack of motivation, financial concerns, family worries and so forth. These factors may affect your
academic performance and/or reduce your ability to participate fully in daily activities. Everyone
feels stressed now and then – it is a normal part of university life. Some days are better than
others, and there is no wrong time to reach out. There are resources for every situation and
every level of stress.
There are many helpful resources available through your College Registrar or through Student
Life (http://studentlife.utoronto.ca and http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/feeling-distressed). An
important part of the University experience is learning how and when to ask for help. Please
take the time to inform yourself of available resources.
Course Materials, including lecture notes
Course materials are provided for the exclusive use of enrolled students. These materials
should not be reposted, shared, put in the public domain, or otherwise distributed without the
explicit permission of the instructor. These materials belong to your instructor, the University,
and/or other sources depending on the specific facts of each situation and are protected by
copyright. Students violating these policies will be subject to disciplinary actions under the Code
of Student Conduct.
Lecture Recordings
PSY320H1 S Syllabus – Valid as of 2024-01-15 Page 8
All lectures will be recorded and posted on Quercus. Lecture recordings and all other course
materials are the intellectual property of the instructors and should be respected as such.