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Identity and Prejudice - PSY00072H

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  • Department: Psychology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Social groups matter. They help us survive, satisfy our need to belong, and give us reference points for meaning making. They also structure the social world around us and contribute to our understanding of who we are in relation to others. However, membership in social groups can also have negative consequences, ranging from a preferential treatment of our own groups to outgroup discrimination and violence. This module aims to provide an overview of psychological approaches to social identity and prejudice. We will explore theories of intergroup relations to understand why racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and discrimination are so persistent. We will discuss how psychological research can contribute to our understanding of immigration, extremism, and intergroup violence. Finally, we will analyze different approaches to prejudice reduction and discuss their potential for real-life interventions.

Module learning outcomes

  • Describe major theoretical approaches to explaining prejudice
  • Give an account of key findings in each of the topics covered
  • Describe different approaches to prejudice reduction
  • Comment on applicability and key limitations of this field of research

Module content

  • Psychological approaches to prejudice
  • Stereotyping
  • Social identity
  • Intersectionality
  • Immigration and acculturation
  • Extremism and intergroup violence
  • Prejudice reduction

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

Brown, R. (2010). Prejudice: Its Social Psychology, 2nd Edition. Wiley-Blackwell.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.