What Is Social Psychology?[1]
Contents
Brief
History of Social Psychology
How
Is Social Psychology Different From Other Disciplines?
What Is Social Psychology?
According to psychologist Gordon Allport,
social psychology is a discipline that uses scientific methods "to
understand and explain how the thought, feeling and behavior of individuals are
influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human
beings" (1985).
Social psychology looks at a wide range of social topics, including:
· group behavior
· social perception
· leadership
· nonverbal behavior
· conformity
· aggression
· prejudice
It is important to note that social psychology is not just about looking at social influences. Social perception and social interaction are also vital to understanding social behavior.
Brief History of Social Psychology
While Plato referred to the idea of the "crowd
mind" and concepts such as social loafing and social facilitation were
introduced in the late-1800s, it wasn't until after World War II that research
on social psychology would begin in earnest. The horrors of the Holocaust led
researchers to study the effects of social influence, conformity, and
obedience.
The U.S. government also became interested in applying
social psychological concepts to influencing citizens. Social psychology has continued
to grow throughout the twentieth century, inspiring research that has
contributed to our understanding of social experience and behavior.
How Is Social Psychology Different From Other Disciplines?
It is important to understand how social
psychology differs from other disciplines. Social psychology is often confused
with folk wisdom, personality psychology, and sociology. What makes social
psychology different? Unlike folk wisdom, which relies on anecdotal
observations and subjective interpretation, social psychology employs
scientific methods and empirical study of social phenomena.
While personality psychology focuses on individual traits, characteristics, and thoughts, social psychology is focused on situations. Social psychologists are interested in the impact that social environment and interaction has on attitudes and behaviors.