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Questions and Answers
What does social psychology primarily focus on?
What does social psychology primarily focus on?
- Physical health
- The economy
- Individual mental processes
- Social structures and group dynamics (correct)
Social psychology studies only the individual and ignores group behavior.
Social psychology studies only the individual and ignores group behavior.
False (B)
What term describes the informal rules that govern our behavior?
What term describes the informal rules that govern our behavior?
Norms
Social psychology is the systematic study of the nature and causes of human ______ behavior.
Social psychology is the systematic study of the nature and causes of human ______ behavior.
Match the following aspects with their descriptions:
Match the following aspects with their descriptions:
Which of the following best describes the impact of group dynamics?
Which of the following best describes the impact of group dynamics?
Who coined the term 'Symbolic Interactionism'?
Who coined the term 'Symbolic Interactionism'?
The meanings people attach to things are considered to be inherent.
The meanings people attach to things are considered to be inherent.
The study of social psychology includes the examination of intergroup conflict.
The study of social psychology includes the examination of intergroup conflict.
Name a key theoretical perspective in social psychology.
Name a key theoretical perspective in social psychology.
What are the three elements of the Looking-Glass Self?
What are the three elements of the Looking-Glass Self?
The impact of ______ context and social structure is important to understand individual and group behaviors.
The impact of ______ context and social structure is important to understand individual and group behaviors.
Symbolic Interactionism views the world as a product of _____ interactions.
Symbolic Interactionism views the world as a product of _____ interactions.
What impacts the establishment of social norms?
What impacts the establishment of social norms?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a group?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a group?
Cognitive concepts focus solely on external stimuli.
Cognitive concepts focus solely on external stimuli.
What can meanings derived from social interaction do over time?
What can meanings derived from social interaction do over time?
Social structures refer to relationships between _____ of individuals.
Social structures refer to relationships between _____ of individuals.
What is an example of a social structure?
What is an example of a social structure?
What is the primary focus of Darwin's Theory of Evolution?
What is the primary focus of Darwin's Theory of Evolution?
Empirical research relies solely on subjective opinions.
Empirical research relies solely on subjective opinions.
What is a major strength of surveys in data collection?
What is a major strength of surveys in data collection?
The systematic study of documents to identify themes is called __________.
The systematic study of documents to identify themes is called __________.
Match the research method with its description:
Match the research method with its description:
Which of the following is a weakness of field studies?
Which of the following is a weakness of field studies?
In experiments, the independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect.
In experiments, the independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect.
What is one ethical consideration researchers must ensure when working with human subjects?
What is one ethical consideration researchers must ensure when working with human subjects?
Participant observation involves __________ measures.
Participant observation involves __________ measures.
What is a common challenge faced in archival research?
What is a common challenge faced in archival research?
Flashcards
Evolutionary Theory
Evolutionary Theory
A theory explaining how species change over time through natural selection and adaptation.
Empirical Research
Empirical Research
The systematic investigation of observable phenomena in the world.
Surveys
Surveys
A method of data collection using a set of questions to gather information from a specific group.
Field Studies
Field Studies
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Observational Measures
Observational Measures
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Content Analysis
Content Analysis
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Experiments
Experiments
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Informed Consent
Informed Consent
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Ethics in Research
Ethics in Research
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Strengths and Weaknesses of Research Methods
Strengths and Weaknesses of Research Methods
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Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic Interactionism
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Herbert Blumer
Herbert Blumer
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Social Interaction
Social Interaction
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Looking-Glass Self
Looking-Glass Self
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Three Elements of Self
Three Elements of Self
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Social Structure
Social Structure
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Social Exchange Theory
Social Exchange Theory
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Cognitive Processes
Cognitive Processes
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Cognitive Schemas
Cognitive Schemas
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Group Characteristics
Group Characteristics
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Social Psychology
Social Psychology
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Core Concerns
Core Concerns
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Individual Impact
Individual Impact
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Group Norms
Group Norms
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Intergroup Conflict
Intergroup Conflict
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Social Context
Social Context
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Social Influence
Social Influence
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Group Dynamics
Group Dynamics
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Cognitive Perspective
Cognitive Perspective
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Study Notes
Introduction to Social Psychology
- Social psychology bridges the interests of psychology (emphasising the individual) and sociology (emphasising social structures)
- It is the systematic study of human social behaviour, including its nature and causes
- Interested in what people do and why they do it.
Key Themes
- Constructing social reality: People actively shape their understanding of the world through social interactions
- Social influences: Understanding how social context and situations influence behaviour
- Social relationships: Analysing interpersonal relationships and group dynamics.
- Application of knowledge: Use of insights from social psychology to address social issues and improve daily life.
Core Concerns
- Impact of one individual on another (direct and indirect; explicit and implicit impacts)
- Impact of a group on its members (norms, roles, rules, power structures)
- Impact of individuals on groups (both ways influence each other)
- Impact of one group on another
- Impact of social context and structure on individuals and groups
Theoretical Perspectives
- Symbolic Interactionism: Developed by Cooley and Mead, examining how individuals act based on the meanings they give things and the meanings derived through social interactions
- Group Processes: Investigating groups as social entities with norms, roles, dependence, and power structures.
- Social Structure and Personality: Exploring how social structure and individual personalities interact and impact each other
- Cognitive Perspectives: Focuses on mental activities (i.e., problem solving, perception, judgment, memory) as determinants of social behavior. Cognitive processes act as an intervening variable
- Evolutionary Theory: Explores the link between social behavior and genetic predispositions.
Research Methods in Social Psychology
- Empirical research: Systematic study of observable phenomena (behaviour and events)
- Surveys: Popular source of data collection where participants respond to a set of questions (relies on self-reporting)
- Field studies: Observing everyday life (ethnography, participant observation, unobtrusive measures)
- Archival research: Analysis of already collected data (government records, academic studies, etc.)
- Content analysis: Systematic study of documents or communication to identify themes.
- Experiments: High level of control involved; composed of two characteristics: manipulated independent variables and randomly assigned participants.
- Two types of experiments: Lab experiments (high researcher control) and field experiments (less control; but more generalizable).
Ethics
- Ethical considerations are vital in social psychological research
- The Nuremberg Trials highlighted the need for ethics in research.
- Protecting participants is a key ethical goal, including obtaining informed consent, avoiding harm, and ensuring participant confidentiality.
- Potential for harm that exists in research (physical and psychological) must be mitigated.
Examples of Social Psychology Studies
- Stanford Prison Experiment: Classic study examining the impact of social roles and social situations
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