Applied Social Psychology PDF

Applied social psychology is “Social psychological research and practice in real world settings directed towards the understanding of human social behaviour and the amelioration of social problems” Fisher, 1980 Issue vs Problem. Applied Social Psychology is Multidisciplinary Sociology Psycholo...

Applied social psychology is “Social psychological research and practice in real world settings directed towards the understanding of human social behaviour and the amelioration of social problems” Fisher, 1980 Issue vs Problem. Applied Social Psychology is Multidisciplinary Sociology Psychology Social Psychology Some of the areas of sociology Family, Education, Community, Race. Some of the areas of psychology Personality, Learning & Conditioning and Psychological Development Social Psychology – “the scientific attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of other human beings” Fiske 2004. Broad areas of applied social psychology, Health, Organizations, The Environment and Communities Features of applied social psychology, according to Stuart oscamp and p. Wesley Schultz 2006 1. Problem orientation Identify a social problem and find the solution to the problem Design a study to learn more about the problem Analyze available data (theories, principles, research finding) in order to design intervention. 2. Value Orientation The specification of an issues as a social problem requires a value judgment – a personal analysis by the investigator. 3. Social utility - Practical theories are important if we want to solve social problems – Kurt Lewin – the knowledge and methods utilized must be useful in solving the problem Practical Approaches to solving the problem  Change attitudes/opinions (about the problem) “It’s not a big deal/It’s not a serious problem” “It’s not MY problem.” Change behaviour – e.g. people should report cases and not “remain silent”; parents …. Advocacy - Influence policy through research 4. Focus on social situations. Applied social psychologist are concerned with a “situational” analysis of a problem/issues in contrast to other approaches that tend to stress psychological or personality factors. Situational Analysis: Examples (See Problem Definition) Living conditions Culture and Values Ease of access to media/internet 5. A broad approach Macro level analysis – taking account of the wide range of variables that might influence the problem, and various research methods. 6. Field settings Research is carried out in the natural settings where people live – not in an “artificial” atmosphere of most lab experiments. 7. Practical considerations Time constraints Cost-benefits comparisons Political feasibility As an applied social psychologist, my role involves using psychological theories and research to address real-world social issues and improve the well-being of individuals and communities. I engage in a variety of tasks, including conducting research to understand the dynamics of human behavior in social contexts, designing and implementing interventions aimed at promoting positive social change, and consulting with organizations to enhance their practices and policies.One of my primary responsibilities is to investigate social phenomena, such as prejudice, discrimination, and group dynamics. This involves developing research questions, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting the results to inform effective interventions. For instance, I might explore how social norms influence health behaviors or how community engagement can reduce stigma surrounding mental health.