Social psychology is a branch of psychology that studies a wide range of subjects related to social behavior. This includes studying how people interact, factors that affect social perceptions, the formation of attitudes, and how groups influence individuals. Show
Research in social psychology is often focused on subjects that fall within three broad areas:
This article discusses some of the major areas of research in social psychology. It also explores some examples of the types of research that social psychologists might conduct within these subject areas. Social CognitionSocial cognition is concerned with the processing, storage, and application of social information. For example, research in this area of social psychology may focus on the development and use of social schemas. Schemas are our general ideas about the world, how things are, and how things work. In the case of social schemas, these ideas relate to how we expect people to behave in different situations. These mental categories allow us to function without constantly stopping to interpret everything around us. We also develop associations between related schemas, which play an important role in the thought process and social behavior. One area of social cognition research concerns person perception, which is how people form impressions of others. First impressions are the judgments we form about someone based on limited information. Studies have shown that first impressions happen within mere milliseconds and are based on several cues, such as facial expressions, body language, voice, and the beliefs held by the observer. RecapUnderstanding how people acquire and process social information allows researchers to better explain how it can affect social interactions and individual behavior. Attitudes and Attitude ChangeAnother major research area in social psychology involves the study of attitudes. Social psychologists are interested in the components of attitudes, how attitudes develop, and how attitudes change. Attitudes are evaluations of people, objects, or issues. They can be positive (e.g., "I like chocolate") or negative (e.g., "I dislike taxes"). Various factors contribute to the development of attitudes, including upbringing and experiences, although genetics also appears to play a role in shaping them. Researchers have identified three core components of attitude: an affective component, a behavioral component, and a cognitive component. Often referred to as the "ABCs of attitude," these elements describe how we feel, behave, and understand. Some other characteristics of attitudes that researchers may be interested in include:
RecapAttitudes are an important research topic in social psychology because they impact how people view and interact with others. Violence and AggressionWhat causes violence and aggression? While many different factors play a role, social psychologists are interested in understanding the social influences that shape violent behavior. Research in this area looks at numerous social factors that may cause aggression, including:
Research into the epidemic of gun violence is an example of how social psychologists are trying to understand the variables that contribute to a problem, and then utilize that knowledge to come up with actionable solutions. The Link Between Alcohol and Aggression Prosocial BehaviorProsocial behavior is another major research area in social psychology. Prosocial behaviors are those that involve helping and cooperating. Researchers often look at why people help others, as well as why they sometimes refuse to help or cooperate. The bystander effect is an example of a social phenomenon in the subject area of prosocial behavior. Much of the research in the area of bystander effect was prompted by the murder of a young woman named Kitty Genovese. This case captured national attention when reports suggested that neighbors had witnessed her attack and murder but failed to call the police for help. Later reviews of the case indicate that few (if any) of the neighbors had a clear view of the scene and were unaware of what was happening. Nevertheless, the case became mythologized in psychology textbooks and prompted a surge of interest in prosocial behaviors. Research inspired by the Genovese case produced a great deal of information on prosocial behavior and how and why people choose—or sometimes refuse—to help others. Prejudice and DiscriminationPrejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes exist in any social group. Social psychologists are interested in the origins, causes, and effects of these attitudes and social categorizations. Some questions that social psychologists explore include:
For example, researchers have found that several factors contribute to the development of prejudice, including stereotypes, social categorization, and social influences. Another factor that plays a part is the outgroup homogeneity bias, or the tendency to view people outside of our social group as being more homogenous than members of our own group. RecapBy learning more about the psychology of prejudice and discrimination, researchers can look for solutions to help help prevent it from happening. How People Develop Prejudices Self and Social IdentityOur perceptions of social identities and ourselves are another important research area in social psychology. Some of the questions that researchers explore include:
Social psychologists are interested in learning more about how this inner life influences our outer lives and social world. Self-awareness, self-esteem, self-concept, and self-expression are only a few factors that influence our social experience. For example, social comparison is a process that can impact how people view themselves. Upward social comparison involves comparing the self to others who are perceived as higher in status and ability, while downward social comparison focuses on making comparisons to those who are lower in status or ability. Upward comparisons can leave people feeling like they don't measure up, damaging self-esteem. Downward comparisons, on the other hand, can help enhance self-esteem. RecapBy learning more about how social identities and self-perceptions interact, social psychologists are better able to understand how social factors can influence how individuals feel about themselves and their identities. Group BehaviorGroup behavior is defined as the actions, feelings, or thoughts of a collective of people. Such groups involve two or more people who share something in common such as identity, purpose, and belief. The behavior of groups is one of the largest research areas in social psychology. Most people realize that groups tend to behave differently than individuals. These group behaviors are sometimes beneficial but can also be detrimental. Social psychologists often look at topics such as:
Norms are an example of an aspect of group behavior that can guide how group members think, behave, or act. Norms are standards that emerge and guide how another member judge one another. Social InfluenceSocial psychologists are also interested in the role of social influence on behavior and decision-making. Topics such as the psychology of persuasion, peer pressure, conformity, and obedience are only a few of those studied in this area of social psychology. One example of research in this area of social psychology was Milgram's obedience studies conducted during the 1960s. The experiments found that when ordered by an authority figure, participants were willing to deliver what they believed were dangerous and painful electrical shocks to another person. While the shocks were staged, the research suggested that many people were willing to go to great lengths to obey authority. RecapResearch has helped reveal the power of social influence and has uncovered ways to help people resist influence. Interpersonal RelationshipsSocial relationships play a major role in shaping behavior, attitudes, feelings, and thoughts. Social psychologists study how these interpersonal relationships affect people by looking at attachment, liking, love, and attraction. Some research questions that social psychologists might explore include:
Close relationships are relationships in which we feel a strong sense of connection and intimacy with another person. Studies on close relationships have shown that they are associated with many benefits, such as increased happiness and satisfaction with life. What Is Subjective Well-Being? A Word From VerywellSocial psychology is a rich subject that explores how social perception, social interaction, and social influence affect both groups and individuals. Researchers in this field are interested in various topics, including attitudes, attraction, close relationships, and helping behavior. By learning more about these subjects, social psychologists can add to our understanding of social behavior and its effect on individual well-being. Which of the following topics would be of the least interest to a cognitive psychologist?Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (d) behavior in social settings. While this topic may have some interest for cognitive psychologists, it does not focus directly on cognitive processes, as the other answers do.
What are most psychologists interested in?Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat individuals experiencing psychological distress and mental illness. ... . Cognitive psychologists investigate how people think, including topics such as decision-making and problem-solving.. What are psychologists primarily interested in studying?Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Psychologists are actively involved in studying and understanding mental processes, brain functions, and behavior.
Which of the following is not goal of psychology?The correct answer is not listed. The goals of psychology include all of the above: the ability to describe, explain, predict, and control emotions and behaviors.
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