The course objective is to explore one of psychology’s most practical questions: How do social situations shape what people notice, believe, feel, decide, and do? Students begin by learning how social psychologists gather and evaluate evidence, including research methods, ethics, measurement, replication, open science, and the responsible interpretation of uncertainty. From there, students examine how people form impressions, justify choices, respond to influence, navigate relationships and groups, and participate in systems that can foster cooperation, conflict, bias, or social change. Throughout the course, students connect social-psychological research to contemporary issues in health, law, politics, workplaces, digital environments, misinformation, and community life, strengthening their ability to evaluate claims, understand behavior in context, and apply evidence responsibly.