Social Psychology

Question 1

What are the key concepts of social psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific investigation of how the thought, feelings and behaviours of individuals are influenced by the actual,imagined or implied presence of others

Question 2

What are the 5 defining principles of social psychology?

Answer 2

-other people (individuals or groups) influence our behaviour and thoughts
-social situations we are in influence our behaviour
-all human behaviour occurs in a social context even when no-one else is present
-social psychology aims to understand people in the context of their interactions
-our relationship with others influences our behaviour and thoughts

Question 3

What are the 3 types of social influence?

Answer 3

Conformity, minority influence and obedience

Question 4

Strengths of the social area

Answer 4

-Has real life relevance, studies are relevant to understanding real-life social issues eg: milgram investigated the situational factors that led to the holocaust
-has useful applications, research can lead to interventional strategies in society to improve behaviour and protect people from mindless obedience

Question 5

Weaknesses of the social area

Answer 5

Has ethical issues, to truly understand extreme social influences, research may end up being unethical, abusing physical or mental harm eg: milgram’s study led to seizures, panic attacks etc
- artificiality of research, most research is scenario based which reduces the usefulness, lack mundane realism and ecological validity