Social Psychology: Characteristics, Motives, and Situationism
Social Psychology: Characteristics, Motives, and Situationism
PSYCH/550
May 27, 2013
Social Psychology: Characteristics, Motives, and Situationism
According to Fiske (2010), the classic definition of social psychology is, “the scientific attempt to explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human beings” [ (p. 4) ]. In other words, where general psychology is the study of human behavior on an individual level, social psychology is the study of human behavior in a social context. There are four key characteristics of social psychology including broad scope, cultural mandate, scientific methods, and search for wisdom. Social psychologists examine situationism as an explanation for varied behaviors. Further, social psychology studies the influence of five core motives in which most individuals strive to fulfill in their social environment. Understanding the power of social influence as it pertains to behavior is the first step in improving negative social issues.
Key Characteristics of Social Psychology
The study of human behavior from a social perspective is characterized by four key elements. Social psychology encompasses a very broad point of view that examines human interactions and the influence of society upon an individual. Culture is an important aspect of social psychology as it defines what is acceptable or unacceptable within that society. Further, scientific methods and the search for wisdom help to explain socially influenced behavior.
Broad Scope
Social psychology has a very broad perspective pertaining to the behaviors of individuals in society. Social psychology helps to explain why individuals conform to the rules of society and why individuals turn to deviance instead of conformity. Further, it helps explain selflessness and aggressive tendencies as well as why individuals love and hate [ (Fiske, 2010) ]. Social psychology spans the
PSYCH/550
May 27, 2013
Social Psychology: Characteristics, Motives, and Situationism
According to Fiske (2010), the classic definition of social psychology is, “the scientific attempt to explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human beings” [ (p. 4) ]. In other words, where general psychology is the study of human behavior on an individual level, social psychology is the study of human behavior in a social context. There are four key characteristics of social psychology including broad scope, cultural mandate, scientific methods, and search for wisdom. Social psychologists examine situationism as an explanation for varied behaviors. Further, social psychology studies the influence of five core motives in which most individuals strive to fulfill in their social environment. Understanding the power of social influence as it pertains to behavior is the first step in improving negative social issues.
Key Characteristics of Social Psychology
The study of human behavior from a social perspective is characterized by four key elements. Social psychology encompasses a very broad point of view that examines human interactions and the influence of society upon an individual. Culture is an important aspect of social psychology as it defines what is acceptable or unacceptable within that society. Further, scientific methods and the search for wisdom help to explain socially influenced behavior.
Broad Scope
Social psychology has a very broad perspective pertaining to the behaviors of individuals in society. Social psychology helps to explain why individuals conform to the rules of society and why individuals turn to deviance instead of conformity. Further, it helps explain selflessness and aggressive tendencies as well as why individuals love and hate [ (Fiske, 2010) ]. Social psychology spans the
References: Fiske, S. T. (2010). Social beings. Core motives in social psychology (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Wiley. Kamtekar, R. (2004). Situationism and virtue ethics on the content of our character. Ethics, 114(3), 458-491. doi:10.1086/381696 Koerth-Baker, M. (2013, May 21). Why rational people buy into conspiracy theories. Retrieved from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/magazine/why-rational-people-buy-into-conspiracy-theories.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0