Social Norms, Social Change II Course Reviews

The course is divided into 4 modules. In the first module, students will learn about the power of social norms and their influence on behavior. They will also learn about the different types of social norms, how they are formed, and how they can be changed.

In the second module, students will learn about the challenges of changing social norms, including cultural and social barriers. They will also learn about effective strategies for changing social norms, such as social marketing and community mobilization.

The third module focuses on applying the principles learned in the course to real-world scenarios, such as promoting gender equality and reducing violence against women. Students will analyze case studies and learn about successful interventions.

Finally, in the fourth module, students will learn about the importance of evaluating social norm interventions and measuring their impact. They will also learn about ethical considerations when changing social norms.

Throughout the course, students will engage in interactive activities, quizzes, and discussions to reinforce their learning. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of social norms and how they can be changed to promote positive behavior and social change.

Course Content:

The Social Norms, Social Change II course on Coursera by author Cristina Bicchieri consists of 4 modules, with a total of approximately 38 lectures. The main module and corresponding number of lectures are:

Module 1: Honors Lesson: Scripts and Schemas (9 videos + 4 readings)

This course is "part 2" of Social Norms, Social Change and the lessons here are a continuation of the first course. This module covers scripts and schemas, the cognitive structures in which social expectations are embedded, and their relationship with social norms.

Module 2: Norm Creation (6 videos + 3 readings)

Module 3: Norm Abandonment (13 videos)

This module covers the essentials of norm abandonment, including the relations between personal beliefs and social expectations. It also evaluates existing intervention strategies, including legal reforms, information campaigns, economic incentives, and group deliberations.

• Introduction•1 minute•Preview module
• 11.1•8 minutes
• 11.2•10 minutes
• 11.3.1•6 minutes
• 11.3.2•6 minutes
• 11.3.3•7 minutes
• 11.4•5 minutes
• 11.5•8 minutes
• 11.6•8 minutes
• 11.7.1•11 minutes
• 11.7.2•9 minutes
• 11.8.1•7 minutes
• 11.8.2•8 minutes

Module 4: Trendsetters and Social Change (10 videos)

This module covers trendsetters and their relations to social change. Who are trendsetters? What are their characteristics? How can we identify them? And how can we use them to bring about positive social change. This module also discusses the role of soap operas and edutainment in bringing about social change, how fictional characters and groups can act as trendsetters, and comparative advantages of edutainment interventions over traditional interventions.

• Introduction•1 minute•Preview module
• 12.1•7 minutes
• 12.2.1•8 minutes
• 12.2.2•7 minutes
• 12.3.1•7 minutes
• 12.3.2•7 minutes
• 12.4•8 minutes
• 12.5•9 minutes
• 12.6•8 minutes
• 12.7•10 minutes

Reviews:

As a former learner of the Social Norms, Social Change II course, I found it to be a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The course covers a wide range of topics related to social norms and social change, including the role of social influence, the impact of social identity on behavior, and the ways in which group dynamics can shape social norms.

One of the strengths of the course is the quality of the course materials. The readings and videos selected by Dr. Bicchieri are thoughtfully chosen and provide a diverse range of perspectives on social norms and their impact on behavior. The lectures are also well-organized and easy to follow, with clear explanations of complex concepts.

The course assignments are challenging but rewarding, and they help to deepen learners' understanding of the course material. The peer review activities are particularly valuable, as they provide learners with the opportunity to receive feedback on their work and to learn from their peers.

Another strength of the course is the emphasis on real-world applications. Dr. Bicchieri provides numerous examples of how social norms can be changed to promote positive social outcomes, and she encourages learners to think critically about how they can apply the concepts discussed in the course to real-world situations.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Social Norms, Social Change II course to anyone interested in social psychology or social change. Dr. Bicchieri is a knowledgeable and engaging instructor, and her expertise in the field is evident throughout the course. The course materials are of high quality, and the assignments and peer review activities are challenging but rewarding. The emphasis on real-world applications also makes the course highly relevant and applicable to learners' lives.

At the time, the course has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on over 419 ratings.

What you'll learn:

Upon completing the Social Norms, Social Change II course on Coursera by Cristina Bicchieri, learners can expect to gain the following skills:

1. Understanding of social norms and their impact on behavior:

• Ability to differentiate between descriptive and injunctive norms, and understand how they influence behavior.
• Understanding of how social norms are formed and how they evolve over time.
• Knowledge of the psychological mechanisms that underpin social norms, such as social identity, cognitive biases, and social influence.
• Awareness of the cultural and contextual factors that affect social norms and their impact on behavior.

2. Strategies for changing social norms:

• Familiarity with different strategies for changing social norms, such as social marketing, community mobilization, and the use of law and culture.
• Knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and the conditions under which they are most effective.
• Ability to design and implement effective social norms interventions, tailored to specific contexts and audiences.
• Understanding of the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration in the success of social norms interventions.

3. Applying social norms to real-world issues:

• Awareness of how social norms are relevant to real-world issues such as gender equality, sexual behavior, conflict, corruption, health behavior, and the environment.
• Ability to analyze the social norms underlying these issues and identify opportunities for change.
• Knowledge of best practices for designing and implementing social norms interventions in these areas.
• Ability to evaluate the impact of social norms interventions on behavior and outcomes related to these issues.

4. Measuring the impact of social norms interventions:

• Familiarity with different methods for measuring the impact of social norms interventions, such as randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and process evaluations.
• Understanding of the strengths and limitations of each method and the conditions under which they are appropriate.
• Ability to plan, implement, and analyze impact evaluations of social norms interventions, using appropriate statistical and qualitative methods.
• Knowledge of ethical considerations in changing social norms, such as unintended consequences, harm to participants, and cultural sensitivity.

Overall, learners can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of social norms and their power to shape behavior, as well as practical skills for changing social norms and measuring the impact of interventions. These skills are relevant to a wide range of fields, including public health, social policy, marketing, and advocacy, among others.

Author:

Cristina Bicchieri is a renowned social philosopher and professor of philosophy and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also the director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program at the university.

Dr. Bicchieri is a leading authority in the field of social norms and social change, and her research has had a significant impact on the study of human behavior and decision-making. Her work focuses on how social norms shape behavior, how they evolve over time, and how they can be changed to promote positive social outcomes.

Dr. Bicchieri has published numerous articles and books on social norms, including "The Grammar of Society: The Nature and Dynamics of Social Norms" and "Norms in the Wild: How to Diagnose, Measure, and Change Social Norms." Her research has been cited extensively and has influenced the work of scholars across disciplines.

In addition to her research, Dr. Bicchieri is also a respected teacher and mentor. She has taught courses on social norms, ethics, game theory, and political philosophy, among other topics, and has advised many students and doctoral candidates.

Overall, Dr. Bicchieri is a highly respected scholar and thought leader in the field of social norms and social change. Her expertise has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of human behavior and promoting positive social outcomes.

Requirements:

The requirements for the Social Norms, Social Change II course by Cristina Bicchieri on Coursera are as follows:

1. Basic knowledge of social psychology: Learners should have a basic understanding of social psychology concepts, such as social influence, social identity, and group dynamics.

2. Intermediate-level English proficiency: The course is conducted in English, so learners should have an intermediate-level proficiency in English to be able to understand the lectures, read the materials, and participate in the discussions.

3. Access to a computer and the internet: Learners should have access to a computer with a stable internet connection to be able to access the course materials and participate in the online activities.

4. Time commitment: The course is self-paced, but learners should plan to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on the course materials, assignments, and discussions.

5. Willingness to engage in discussions and peer review: The course includes online discussions and peer review activities, so learners should be willing to engage with their peers and provide constructive feedback on their work.

6. Open-mindedness and willingness to challenge assumptions: The course challenges learners to think critically about social norms and their impact on behavior, so learners should be open-minded and willing to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs.

Overall, the Social Norms, Social Change II course requires a basic knowledge of social psychology, intermediate-level English proficiency, access to a computer and the internet, a time commitment of 1-2 hours per week, and a willingness to engage in discussions and peer review activities.