Social Area

Question 1

What are the defining principles of the Social Area?

Answer 1

1) Human Behaviour is influenced by the situation/external factors

2) We can understand human behaviour in terms of influence by individuals and groups (actual, imagined or implied)

3) Research into situational/social explanations can help us understand social issues

Question 2

Explain 2 strengths of the social area

Answer 2

+ Practical applications - Research to aid our understanding of everyday social issues

+ Good range of research methods are used - two pieces of research with controlled lab settings and controlled observation of behaviour

Question 3

Explain 2 weaknesses of the area

Answer 3

• Raises ethical issues such as distress and deception
• [Social determinism.] Helps us make sense of why people behave the way they do; however, this view is deterministic, meaning [it doesn’t explain freewill and an individual’s responsibility for their actions]

Question 4

What are the applications of the Social Area?

Answer 4

Obedience
Injustice in the workplace