Lecture 1

Question 1

What is social psychology?

Answer 1

Seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual thought and behaviour in social situations.

• Social situation: 2 or more people, real or perceived.
• it is distinct from other social sciences because of its emphasis on perceptions.
• ie. how something is construed/interpreted
• perception is paramount.

Question 2

How does social psychology differ from folk wisdom

Answer 2

Social psych: is empirical (based on experience)

Question 3

What are some problems with common sense?

Answer 3

1. not necessarily common
2. not necessarily right
3. we invoke if after we know the facts
4. tends to underestimate the power of the situation in influencing our thoughts and behaviours.

Question 4

What drives our subjective perceptions or construals?

Answer 4

basic human motives (2):
Maintain self esteem
The need to be accurate