Minor Psychology in Society

A maximum of 250 students can take part in this minor.

First enrol for the minor, then, later, you can enrol for courses.

• Enrolment is possible from 24 24 May 2024 (12 CEST) up to 5 July 2024 (23:59 CEST). Either MIPS15 (15 EC) or MIPS30 (30 EC).

• 9 July 2024 - 21 July 2024: enrol for the individual courses of your choice (you will receive an emailed invitation).

FROM 23 July 2024 - early September 2024 courses with a PSMIN code are open for personal minors/ as elective course as long as capacity is not reached.

In case you enrolled for this minor last year but did not pass one or max two courses, then do not enrol in the minor this year but contact the Student Service Desk by email (owbalie.gmw rug.nl) and mention the course(s) you need to follow again. In case a course is no longer taught or no longer part of the minor you should select another elective minor course to obtain the Minor acknowledgement on your degree.

Should you decide not to follow the minor then please unenroll, as capacity is limited!

Enrolment for the minor is possible from 24 May up to 5 July. Enrolment for courses start 9 July, you will receive an email.

Sign up in Progress

For questions you can contact the minor coordinator.

Please note, there will be no waiting list in case the minor is full. All you can do is check regularly and hope that someone unenrolls, but actually the chance that people will unenrol is not large.

Please adress questions with regard to whether you are enrolled to the student service desk BSS (Onderwijsbalie GMW): owbalie.gmw rug.nl.

Download the Minor in Psychology in Society leaflet.

ECTS: 5

This required course provides an introduction to statistical and measurement problems through case studies. Students learn how to critically interpret research claims in terms of sampling problems, validity of measures and reliability of instruments. Special attention is paid to the use of instruments in cross-cultural research.

ECTS: 5

This course provides an introduction to a wide range of psychological research including; behavioural, neurological, cognitive, clinical, cultural, developmental, evolutionary, and social psychology.

The aim of introducing the multiple disciplines of psychology is to demonstrate that human behaviour needs to be understood and examined from many perspectives.

The course is designed with non-psychology students in mind and also gives insight into how psychological research is carried out and applied. As such, understanding how psychological knowledge is generated helps students to critically assess popular beliefs about human emotions, thoughts, and behaviours.

ECTS: 5

This course has two central themes:

1. behaviour in traffic and the effects of this behaviour on safety, and
2. retention of mobility

Traffic psychology is rather broad in the sense that it covers issues such as drink driving, the influence of infrastructural measures on behaviour, and the risks of using electronic devices in traffic. Theories common in experimental, social, and neuropsychology are used to explain and predict this behaviour.

Examples of topics that will be dealt with are the role of mental workload in dealing with increased demands in and outside the vehicle, and the effectiveness of police enforcement, campaigns, and driver education.

With regard to mobility, the importance of mobility for health is central. There are several factors that may interfere with the ability of being mobile in general and driving a car in particular. For example, intrinsic factors, such as arousal, fatigue, or visual perceptual skills, differ within and between individuals and have a substantial impact on multiple aspects of mobility.

Moreover, severe medical conditions, including psychiatric illness (e.g. phobia) and neurological disorders (e.g. dementia) are associated with cognitive and emotional problems, and may reduce mobility and participation in traffic.

In addition to intrinsic factors associated with the individual, there are also external factors that affect mobility and safety more temporarily, such as the use of legal and illegal drugs.

In this course students will acquire basic knowledge about traffic psychology and learn about the importance of mobility and factors influencing it. 

PSMIN21
ECTS: 5

This course invites students to explore the complexity of diversity within organizational settings.

Using interdisciplinary theories of group relations as a foundation, it addresses the challenges of balancing individual and cultural authenticity that are essential for well-being, with larger group norms necessary for cooperation within any team.

The course not only focuses on examples of diversity in culture and gender, but also on other dimensions of diversity such as cognitive and socio-economic. Students will analyse the interplay between personal identities and collective goals, identify diversity-based risks and opportunities, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of diversity programs.

Through extensive readings, online discussions, and an online exam, students will engage with both classic and contemporary diversity approaches, gaining insights into the practical and theoretical aspects of managing human differences in teams, and cultivating humility in understanding how to navigate these differences.

ECTS: 5

All too often the human is considered a hazard – a system component whose unsafe acts are crucial in the majority of catastrophes.

However, this is a limited view on the matter, as people act within a system and most people do not wish to make errors or cause disasters.

Moreover, there is another perspective that should be studied in its own right – the human as hero, whose adaptations and compensations bring troubled systems back from the brink of disaster.

The basic premise of this course is that even when an accident can be traced to the erroneous act of an individual, the actions of the individual need to be understood within the context of environmental, societal, and organisational factors.

This course provides an introduction to basic topics in work and cognitive psychology central to minimising human error. Topics such as designing work to maximise performance and health, work-related mental stress, and selection and training are accompanied by an introduction to techniques used to investigate and classify human error. Emphasis is given to institutional safeguards against error situations. 

ECTS: 5

Why do we always spend too much during sales? Why is “playing hard to get” such a great strategy to pick up a partner? Why do you sell ice-cream with a man in a speedo and insurances with a man in a business suit? How can you reduce rule transgressions by wearing gothic clothing?

In this course you get an answer to these and many other questions. You will learn how people’s beliefs, and actions are influenced by others. You will be introduced to various theories, principles and studies that give insight to how you can use people’s need for affiliation, accuracy and a positive self-concept to persuade them.

This interactive Social and Environmental psychology course is focused at both theory development and practical application.

ECTS: 5

This course examines the psychological processes underlying economic and consumer behaviour and discusses individual, social and cultural factors that influence these processes.

We discuss effects of information and experiences with products and services on affect (emotions), cognitions (beliefs and judgements) and behaviour (purchase decisions and consumption-related practices).

You will learn when and why economic theories are often not accurate to explain everyday behaviour, and why individuals often do not make rational decisions. Among others, you will learn how consumer behaviour contributes to societal challenges such as overconsumption and environmental problems, and reflect on psychological theories and mechanisms that could be useful in addressing these problems.

We use a diversity of innovative teaching methods in this course aimed at making the lectures more interactive.