Social Psychology
Psychology involves understanding and explaining behavior. In the
late 1890’s, psychologists began the first experiments in the discipline of
social psychology. This discipline has since evolved into a science that
attempts to explain human behavior. Scientific methods are used to assist
researchers in answering questions related to human behavior. The results of
this research are used to understand and explain the relationship between human
behavior and social situations.
Definition of Social Psychology
Social psychology is defined as the “scientific study of how
people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others” (McGraw -
Hill, 2011, p.336). Social thinking, social influence, and social relations are
components in the study of social psychology. Social thinking involves the way
one sees his or herself and others around them. Social thinking also involves
one’s beliefs, judgments, and attitudes. Attitudes, or how one sees a
particular person, behavior, belief, or concept, are important in the study of
social psychology. In fact, attitudes are one of the most central aspects of
the discipline (McGraw - Hill, 2011). Social influence includes one’s culture and
pressures to conform. One’s social relations include his or her prejudice,
aggression, attraction, and intimacy. Social psychologists study the kinds and
causes of an individual’s behavior in relation to his or her social situations.
Social psychologists attempt to explain the relationship between one’s
situation and behavior.
How Social Psychology Differs from Other
Related Disciplines
Social psychology is only one branch of psychology. Within the
science of psychology, it is closely related to personality psychology. Social
psychology is also related to the science of sociology. Social psychology
focuses more on the differences in individuals than personality psychology.
However, personality psychology focuses more on how individuals view and affect
one another (Myers, 2010). In social psychology, it is assumed that situations
are the primary factor behind behavior. Using research, social psychologists
attempt to relate environmental factors to behavior. Personality psychology
differs from these views. Personality psychologists assume that an individual’s
disposition in a situation, not the actual situation, is the primary force
behind behavior (Blass, 1984).
Sociology and social psychology are intertwined. Social psychology
expands on the studies of sociologists. However, the two also have differences.
Sociologists study people in groups. Social psychologists focus more on the
individual in a group and use more experimentation (Myers, 2010). Sociologists
study the social factors that affect an individual. Social psychologists
identify why the factors have effects (Thoits, 1995). Sociologists study how
characteristics, relationships, and situations influence a person’s thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors (Thoits, 1995). However, social psychologists explain
how and why these factors affect an individual. Social psychologists attempt to
understand how a group arrives at a decision whereas sociologists attempt to
explain how an individual’s characteristics affect a group’s decision.
Sociologists try to explain deviant behavior whereas social psychologists focus
more on obedience (Thoits, 1995).
Role of Research in Social Psychology
Research is the “systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new
knowledge” (McGraw - Hill, 2011, p. 17). Research is an important aspect in the
science of psychology. Psychologists use the scientific method in research. By
using the scientific method, psychologists propose theories, imply hypothesis,
and predict behavior (Myers, 2010). Psychologists use research to explore and
relate theories and hypothesis to behavior. Through observation and research,
psychologists formulate ideas about an individual’s thoughts, influences, and
relations to one another (Myers, 2010).
Conclusion
Psychologist Gordon Allport held the
belief that social psychologists studied how individuals influenced and
affected others (Thoits, 1995). Within the discipline of social psychology
several aspects of an individual are studied. These include cultures,
attitudes, beliefs, prejudices, and perceptions. Psychologists answer the
questions concerning how one individual affects others by using scientific
methods. Because of the research conducted, social psychology is now an
important discipline in the study of individuals’ behavior in relation to
social situations.
References
Blass, T. (1984). Social Psychology and
Personality: Toward a Convergence. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 47(5), 1013-1027.
doi:10.1037/0022-3514.47.5.1013
McGraw - Hill (2011). Psychsmart. New York, NY: Author.
Myers, D. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Thoits, P. A. (1995). Social
Psychology: The Interplay Between Sociology and Psychology. Social Forces, 73(4), 1231-1243.
Plagiarism:
Using someone else's work without giving proper credit, is plagiarism. If you use my work, please reference it.
