Introduction to Social Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What does social psychology primarily study?

How people think about, influence and relate to one another (correct)

Economic behaviors in groups

Individual cognitive processes exclusively

The biological basis of human behavior

Which of the following areas does NOT fall under the study of social psychology?

Social relations

Social thinking

Neurological processes (correct)

Social influence

Which philosopher discussed the relationship between self, sympathy, and social conformity?

John Locke

David Hume (correct)

Sigmund Freud

Adam Smith

What concept did Adam Smith emphasize in relation to individual identity?

Interactions with other people Signup and view all the answers

What was the first year when social psychology experiments were reported?

1898 Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of social psychology's reliance on experimental methods?

It neglects naturalistic approaches like observation. Signup and view all the answers

What did Henri Tajfel investigate in social identity theory?

How identity and behavior are influenced by social groups. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of critical social psychology?

To acknowledge the social, political, and historical context of psychology. Signup and view all the answers

Which approach argues that cognitive functions originate in social interaction?

Social constructionism. Signup and view all the answers

What does discursive psychology emphasize regarding language?

Language as a means of social action. Signup and view all the answers

What key aspect does phenomenological psychology focus on?

Subjective conscious experience and 'being-in-the-world'. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of European social psychology according to the document?

It incorporates social and historical dimensions into psychology. Signup and view all the answers

Why was there a movement towards critical social psychology?

To address the lack of social context in individual experiments. Signup and view all the answers

What does the metaphor of the 'looking glass self' suggest about self-perception?

It is influenced by interactions and relationships with others. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher argued that the mind actively constructs external reality?

Immanuel Kant Signup and view all the answers

What foundational concept did Gestalt psychology emphasize?

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary aims of Kurt Lewin's 'action research'?

To understand and address prejudice. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Volkerpsychologie' focus on?

The collective beliefs and norms shared by social groups. Signup and view all the answers

How did Herbart view the relationship between the individual and society?

There is a significant interdependence between individuals and society. Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'the whole is more than the sum of its parts' imply?

Complex systems require a holistic perspective for understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the characteristics of Gestalt psychology?

Emphasizes the importance of seeing the situation in a holistic manner. Signup and view all the answers

What does Auguste Comte's positivism propose about social phenomena?

They can be studied using methods from natural sciences. Signup and view all the answers

William James introduced the concept of social self. What does it refer to?

The image that others have of an individual. Signup and view all the answers

Which event is considered crucial in the establishment of social psychology in the USA?

The publication of textbooks in 1908. Signup and view all the answers

What was a central focus of social psychology according to Ross?

Social influence and group dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

How did the social psychology established in the USA reflect its ideological values?

By highlighting the significance of individualism. Signup and view all the answers

What did Floyd Allport suggest about group psychology?

Understanding individuals is essential to studying groups. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant criticism of social psychology in the 1960s and 70s?

It did not adequately address cultural and historical contexts. Signup and view all the answers

How did instinctive dispositions contribute to social life according to McDougall?

They shaped human social life through evolutionary influences. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Wilhelm Wundt primarily focus on in relation to collective mental products?

Reciprocal action of many individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Émile Durkheim's distinction between individual thought and collective thought?

Collective thoughts exist independently but influence individual ways of thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Gustave Le Bon describe when individuals immerse themselves in a crowd?

Loss of conscious rationality and emergence of primitive instincts Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the main idea of the 'Social representation theory' linked to Durkheim's work?

Individuals in a group share a social identity that influences their feelings of belonging. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'contagion' as used by Gustave Le Bon in crowd behavior?

The transmission of aggressive impulses among crowd members. Signup and view all the answers

What role does individual responsibility play in the context of crowd behavior according to Le Bon?

It is lost as individuals feel part of the crowd. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social behaviors, what is the primary focus of Wundt's experiments?

Perception, mental disorders, and abnormal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon occurs when the success of a group becomes the success of the individual, as illustrated by the World Cup example?

Shared social identity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.
The study encompasses social thinking, social influence, and social relations.

Early interest in social psychology issues dates back to the 18th century with contributions from European and North American scholars from philosophy, psychology, and economics.
The first social psychology experiments were reported in 1898.
Key figures and their contributions include:
- David Hume (influential work on prejudice)
- Adam Smith (theorizing on the self)
- Immanuel Kant (theorizing on the mind)
- Johann Friedrich Herbart (linking individual and society)
- Auguste Comte (social sciences)
- Wilhelm Wundt (experimental psychology)
- Gustave Le Bon (crowd psychology)
- William James (founder of American psychology)
- Emile Durkheim (collective vs. individual thought)
- George Herbert Mead (social interactions, language)
- Edward Alsworth Ross (American Social Psychology Textbooks)
- William McDougall (introduction to social psychology)
- Kurt Lewin (Gestalt psychology, prejudice, intergroup relations)
- Floyd Allport (social psychology textbook focused on personality)
- Gordon Allport (personality traits & prejudice)

Promotes social psychology recognizing its political, social, and historical context.
Aims for social change and reform.
Influenced by social constructionism and discursive psychology.
Employs phenomenological psychology.

The US has a unique emphasis on individualism, shaping social psychology in the US.
The 1960s and 1970s brought critical review on social psychology's emphasis on individuals rather than social contexts.
This period highlighted important contributions of social, historical, cultural, and political factors

Critical Questions

Social psychology is sometimes driven by current social concerns and problems.
Examples of recent areas of social psychological attention should be identified.
How should social psychology play a role in modern society?

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamentals of social psychology, examining how individuals think, influence, and connect with one another. It also covers the historical context and contributions of key figures in the field from the 18th century to the present.