Lecture 1: Introduction to Social Psych Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is social psychology?
The study of behaviour in a social context. Behaviour can be measured, but motivations for behaviour are more a matter for conjecture.
What is Psycho-analysis?
The study of the unconscious mind, derived from the the work of Freud.
What is the rationalist view of reality?
Things can be discovered in the world by means of logical reasoning an the scientific method.
What is the postmodern view of reality?
The truth is constructed by people, usually the powerful. And the scientific method is part of the processes of social construction.
What is the Scientific method?
Formulating and operationalising a hypothesis. Making sure it is reliable, valid and not confounded with other variables. It will either disprove or support the hypothesis.
What is the importance of replications?
A single result may be due to chance (1/20). The media often reports findings from a single study instead of from a series of replications. Especially important in Social Psych where results can differ across cultures.
What is the issue with Social Psych and ethics?
Social Psychologists often observe people in the real world, limiting opportunity for obtaining informed consent and debriefing. Historically deception was frequently used (Asch)
What is a meta theory?
Setting theories within broader theoretical views about human nature. For example, Behaviourism, cognitive theories and neuroscience.
Why is Social Psychology overly reductionist?
Human behaviour must be understood at it’s relevant level (especially neuroscience). The whole is a sum of the parts.
Why is Social Psych overly positivist?
There is too much emphasis on science, it should be complimented with other theories. As Psychologists discover flaws and biases in human nature we undermine the scientific process, since the flawed human mind is at the centre of this process.
What is the key history of Social Psychology?
- It originates from Folk Psychology in Germany. Which emerged the concept of a collective mind in groups.
- Gustav le bon - the irrational crowd
