Overview
This lecture introduces the field of social psychology, its core topics, research methods, and key questions explored by social psychologists.
What is Social Psychology?
- Social psychology studies how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.
- It examines both real and imagined social influences on individuals.
- The discipline bridges psychology and sociology but focuses on individuals within groups.
Major Topics in Social Psychology
- Attitudes: beliefs and feelings that guide behavior.
- Social cognition: how people perceive, interpret, and remember information about others.
- Group dynamics: how group membership affects behavior and decision-making.
- Social influence: how people change each other’s beliefs, feelings, or behaviors.
- Prejudice and discrimination: negative attitudes and behaviors toward groups.
- Aggression and prosocial behavior: factors that increase or decrease helping and harming others.
Research Methods in Social Psychology
- Experimental methods are used to identify cause-and-effect relationships in social behavior.
- Correlational studies examine associations between variables but do not prove causation.
- Observational methods involve systematically watching and recording behavior in natural or lab settings.
- Ethical considerations include ensuring informed consent and minimizing harm to participants.
Key Questions Explored
- How do attitudes form and change?
- What causes conformity, obedience, and resistance to group pressure?
- How do stereotypes and prejudice develop?
- Why do people help or harm others?
Key Terms & Definitions
- Social Psychology — Scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.
- Social Influence — The effect that other people have on an individual’s attitudes or behaviors.
- Attitude — Evaluation of people, objects, or ideas that can affect behavior.
- Conformity — Adjusting behavior or thinking to align with a group standard.
- Prejudice — Preconceived negative judgment or attitude toward a group.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review textbook chapter on introduction to social psychology.
- Prepare for discussion on classic social psychology experiments in the next class.