Oxford, United Kingdom

Psychology and Social Connection

What is the secret to a life well lived? People may accumulate wealth and success, and yet find themselves feeling lonely and unfulfilled – what’s missing? The empirical evidence is unusually clear: the most significant determinant in how happy, healthy, and long a life we lead is our social connection, that is, how connected we feel to other human beings. In many societies, however, loneliness has been on the rise, attributed variously to pandemic restrictions, an increasing reliance on digital interactions, or an emphasis on individualism over community. This course examines why nurturing supportive relationships matter to mental health and how people create bonds with one another. You will learn about the types of social network, and how different people nurture their networks, especially when entering new social environments or facing a life transition. You will also investigate why people can be naturally suspicious of those who seem at first glance to be ‘different’, and how human beings can nonetheless form successful diverse interconnected communities. This exciting course spans several areas of psychology, including evolutionary, social, and clinical psychology, and the psychology of individual differences, to explore how and why humans choose social connection with others.

Target group

This course would suit students from a range of disciplines, including not only students with prior experience of Psychology interested in a modern area of research, but also students without formal academic experience in the subject but who are interested in a scientific study of social relationships.

Course aim

After studying this course you will be able to:
• Critically examine the role of nurturing supportive relationships on mental health and wellbeing.
• Demonstrate knowledge of different types of social networks and how people navigate them.
• Demonstrate awareness of research into wellbeing, individual differences, and social psychology.
• Critically evaluate empirical findings from psychological research.

Credits info

7.5 EC
LMH Summer Programmes are designed to be eligible for credit, and we recommend the award of 7.5 ECTS / 4 US / 15 CATS for this course.

Fee info

GBP 3725: This includes:
• All tuition, including lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
• Assessment, transcript of academic performance, and certificate.
• A co-curricular programme of skills workshops and guest speakers.
• Access to the Lady Margaret Hall College Library.
• Bed & Breakfast accommodation throughout your programme.
• Lunch and dinner in the College Dining Hall Monday to Friday.
• A full Social & Cultural Programme, including two excursions to other English cities per three-week programme session.
• A high-quality printed class photograph.
• Formal Graduation banquet.