Chapter 1 Outline, Definitions, Key Terms and Optional Interet Activities PDF

Chapter 1 ========= Outline I. Introduction II. What is Social Psychology A. A Formal Definition---Social psychology is the systematic study of the nature and causes of human social behavior. It is a definition with three parts, and includes 1) an interest in behavi...

Chapter 1 ========= Outline I. Introduction II. What is Social Psychology A. A Formal Definition---Social psychology is the systematic study of the nature and causes of human social behavior. It is a definition with three parts, and includes 1) an interest in behavior (what people do), affect (what people feel), and cognition (what people think); 2) an exploration of the causes of these outcomes; and 3) the use of scientific methods B. Core Concerns of Social Psychology---Social psychologists are primarily interested in human behavior within a social context. This focus can be further divided into five core concerns, or major themes: 1. The impact that one individual has on another 2. The impact that a group as on its individual members 3. The impact that individual members have on the groups to which they belong 4. The impact that one group has on another group 5. The impact of social context and social structure on groups and individuals C. Sociology, Psychology, or Both? ---Social psychology is closely related to several fields, especially sociology and psychology. Sociology is the scientific study of human society. It focuses on topics such as social institutions like family or religion; stratification in society, such as race, class, and gender; social processes such as deviance and socialization; and the structure of social units, including groups, networks, and formal organizations. Psychology is the scientific study of the individual and individual behavior. It does not require that individual behavior be social in nature. Psychology addresses topics like perception, intelligence, and personality. Social psychology bridges sociology and psychology. Social psychologists can be sociologically oriented or psychologically oriented in regards to their outlook and emphasis, shaping the theories they develop and the research they produce. III. Theoretical Perspectives in Sociological Social Psychology 6. Middle range theories identify conditions that produce specific social behavior. 7. Theoretical perspectives are broader in scope are general explanations for human behavior. These can also inform middle-range theories. D. Symbolic Interactionism---Symbolic interactionism guided a great deal of early sociological social psychologists. The basic premise of this perspective is that human nature and social order are the result of symbolic communication between people. There are three main assumptions of symbolic interaction. First, we act toward things according to their meanings. Second, these meanings are not inherent but are negotiated during interaction with others. Finally, meanings can be modified and changed through interaction. Symbolic interaction emphasizes the role of symbolic communication and language for the development of self, society and meaning, is useful for understanding processes of achieving consensus and cooperation, and sheds light on why individuals work to present a positive self-image and avoid embarrassment. E. Group Processes---Group processes explores the ways individuals interact in groups. This approach has historically favored experimental methods, and this tradition continues in contemporary work. Today's group processes researchers draw on a variety of theoretical perspectives and theories, with two -- social exchange and status -- acting as two prominent orienting frameworks. The group processes tradition emphasizes how individuals' experiences are shaped by groups and relationships. It is useful for addressing inequality, as well as socialization, group conflict and cohesion, and collective efforts for social change. F. Social Structure and Personality---Social psychologists that work within the social structure and personality tradition believe that individuals occupy unique positions within the social structure, and that these positions influence personality. In this tradition, personality is broadly construed. Researchers examine general trends in the relationships between aspects of social structure, such as social class, occupation, gender, education, or marital status and aspects of personality, which extends to include values, beliefs, behavior, as well as physical and mental health. G. Cognitive Perspectives---Social psychologists with a psychological orientation are likely to emphasize cognitive perspectives than sociological social psychologists. Cognitive perspectives assert that the mental activities of an individual are important determinants of social behavior. Cognitive processes include perception, memory, judgment, problem solving, and decision making. The concept of cognitive structure, meaning the organization and interrelation of concepts and beliefs, is central to the cognitive perspective. Social psychologists propose that people use schemas, or cognitive structures, to make sense of complex information about people, groups, and situations they are presented with. The cognitive perspective is among the most popular and productive approaches in social psychology. H. Evolutionary Theory---The evolutionary perspective asserts that social behavior originates in our genes, linking the psychological and social to the biological. This perspective takes the position that predispositions towards particular behaviors are part of our genetic makeup, and is therefore passed on through reproduction. Those behaviors which have positive outcomes related to survival are thus more prevalent in the population. Social psychologists working in this tradition focus on subjects such as mate selection, parenting practices, altruism, and aggression. I. Five Complementary Perspectives---Social psychology is a collective enterprise, with sociologists and psychologists routinely drawing on each other's work. The five theoretical perspectives discussed---symbolic interaction, group processes, social structure and personality, cognitive perspectives, and evolutionary theory---differ with respect to the issues they address, the concepts they draw on, and the behavior they attend to. While each approach has strengths and weaknesses, and though they differ in their assumptions and focus, these perspectives should be seen as complementary rather than competing. IV. Summary V. Critical Thinking Skills Key Terms --------- Internet Activities ------------------- 1. Participate in social psychological research by choosing a study from the directory below. There are studies related to many interesting topics, including social perception, beliefs and attitudes, and judgment and decision making.\ 2. What topics, questions, or problems can social psychology address? Visit Sociological Images and browse posts tagged "social psychology" to see the range of topics that can be illuminated by social psychological approaches and theories.\