The Psychology of Social Bias

We exist in a world of social bias. Whether conscious or unconscious, many of us stereotype others in a negative way.

On this microcredential, you’ll dive deep into social bias to understand how and why it occurs and the importance of identifying it. 

You’ll explore how humans are biased animals before unpacking the strategies for tackling social bias in ourselves and in society. 

Unpack the types of social bias, including implicit bias

To help you gain a richer understanding of social bias, you’ll explore the different types, such as unconscious and implicit bias. 

Measure their influence, explore cultural evolution’s role, and assess the impact of the digital world on social bias. 

Gain an understanding of social cognition

Next, you’ll delve into social cognition to understand how the brain processes information about others.

With this understanding, you’ll explore the role of self and social identity in biased behaviour.

Explore stereotypes and prejudice

You’ll investigate the difference between stereotypes and prejudice to understand their influence.

Going further into these effects, you’ll unpack how biased behaviour and discrimination impacts individuals and society. 

Learn how to tackle social bias with the University of Aberdeen

With your in-depth knowledge of social bias, you’ll then explore strategies for combating bias in yourself and society.

Learning from the experts at the University of Aberdeen, you’ll understand how you can apply psychological research to your everyday life to help reduce your social bias. 

How will the skills I learn help me develop in my career?

The skills you learn can help you become a well-rounded member of any team. What’s more, you’ll understand how to pass your knowledge onto other employees to help you create an inclusive and effective team. 

Will I receive university credits?

Yes, you’ll receive 15 university credits. You can also stack these credits to work toward either a PgCert Psychology in the Workplace or MSc Psychological Studies from the University of Aberdeen. 

How will I be assessed?

You’ll be assessed entirely online through discussion boards and multiple choice tests. These will help cement your knowledge of the main topics covered on the microcredential.