¶ … social science indentified as social psychology studies the influences that affect how individuals in a society interact with one another (Kenrick, 2006). In doing so, it applies scientific methods to measure how a variety of different factors such as group behavior, social perception, leadership, conformity, aggression and prejudice serve to affect how members of society relate to each other. In doing so, social psychologists examine the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of both the individuals and groups who incorporate society. They also measure the effect that culture factors such as advertising, television, literature, and the movies contribute to these interactions.
Through the study of social psychology experts in the field use empirical methods in an attempt to explain why people organize themselves in groups, make decisions, behave in deviant ways, and form dating relationships. The field of social psychology has adopted a number of approaches to study in this area but the two most commonly recognized approaches are experimental and critical. The essential difference, although not the only one, between the two approaches is that those following the experimental approach use the scientific method in addressing their theories while the critical approach argues that there are other ways than just using the scientific method to examine problems in the area of social psychology.
Social psychology has grown up in the shadows of the other social sciences such as sociology and psychology (Oishi, 2009). Not unexpectedly, there are many overlapping concerns between social psychology and the other social sciences. In the case of sociology, the emphasis is on the institutions and culture that comprise society and their effect on the whole of society. Sociology is primarily interested in large social systems and societies. Psychology, on the other hand, is directed more toward studying the individual and how he or she is affected by living within the societal framework. Social psychology examines the individual as well but it does so within the broader confines of how individuals are affected by society's institutions and situations.
III. Social Psychology as an Empirical Science
The growing influence and importance of science had it effect on the social sciences as well. Social psychology, one of the newer social sciences, emerged as a discipline at approximately at the same time as science developed in importance and, as a result, social psychology has adopted many of the research methods used by scientists in biology, chemistry and physics (Abelson, 2003). The use of scientific methodology by social psychologists has resulted in their finding that there is a high correlation between physical…
Psychopathy The dependence on science to precisely label and indentify processes and facts can cause some problems within this discipline. Psychopathology, usually identified as a psychological disorder, has seen attempts to place this phenomena in a biological framework. The purpose of this essay is to discuss whether or not psychopaths are more likely to exhibit criminal behavior and what factors may contribute to such behavior. This essay will also discuss the
The trainer will then focus on the steps to be taken to develop new skills. For example, if the trainer wants to talk about motivating, leading, negotiating, selling or speaking, it is best to start with what the learners do well before showing some chart on Maslow's theory, Posner's leadership practices, or selling skills from some standard package that has been develop elsewhere. Many foreign trainers make grave errors
Motor Processes in Sport Tom is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who recently moved up in class from youth to adult football. He was an early maturer and has a history of being more advanced in soccer than his peers but now a weakness is exposed. He never learned to kick with his left foot and this has been a problem at this level. The current paper discusses the proposed reasons for his
United States has the highest rate of confinement of prisoners per 100,000 population than any other Western country. Analyze this phenomena and discuss actions that you feel are necessary to combat this problem. The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate of any nation worldwide. For example, greater than 60% of nations have incarceration rates below 150 per 100,000 people (Walmsley, 2003). The United States makes up just about
In fact, they allowed her to play, and then seemed to structure the entire game around keeping the ball away from her, except for allowing her to actually score; in an action that the observer was forced to conclude was intentional. Two of the men playing that game asked the author for her phone number after the game. No groups of men allowed the author to join the game
Cultural Awareness Cesar Cesar is a patient who presents with psychotic symptoms associated with acute trauma. A Mexican citizen, he has a criminal history in Mexico, but after being released from prison six years earlier he immigrated illegally to the United States. He has resided and worked illegally, and was recently arrested by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for a traffic violation. Upon interviewing him the CPH detained him and requested that
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