Social Psychology Theory Pdf
Favio Cassidy
Topics examined in social psychology include the self-concept, social cognition, attribution theory, social influence, group processes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal processes, aggression, attitudes, and stereotypes.
Aristotle believed that humans were naturally sociable, a necessity that allows us to live together (an individual-centered approach), whilst Plato felt that the state controlled the individual and encouraged social responsibility through social context (a socio-centered approach).
Texts focusing on social psychology first emerged in the 20th century. McDougall published the first notable book in English in 1908 (An Introduction to Social Psychology), which included chapters on emotion and sentiment, morality, character, and religion, quite different from those incorporated in the field today.
Murchison (1935) published The first handbook on social psychology was published by Murchison in 1935. Murphy & Murphy (1931/37) produced a book summarizing the findings of 1,000 studies in social psychology. A text by Klineberg (1940) looked at the interaction between social context and personality development. By the 1950s, several texts were available on the subject.
Much of the key research in social psychology developed following World War II, when people became interested in the behavior of individuals when grouped together and in social situations. Key studies were carried out in several areas.
We are motivated to reduce this by either changing one of our thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes or selectively attending to information that supports one of our beliefs and ignores the other (selective exposure hypothesis).
Dissonance occurs when there are difficult choices or decisions or when people participate in behavior that is contrary to their attitude. Dissonance is thus brought about by effort justification (when aiming to reach a modest goal), induced compliance (when people are forced to comply contrary to their attitude), and free choice (when weighing up decisions).
When the boys were asked to allocate points to others (which might be converted into rewards) who were either part of their own group or the out-group, they displayed a strong in-group preference. That is, they allocated more points on the set task to boys who they believed to be in the same group as themselves.
When the learner (a stooge) got the answer wrong, they were told by a scientist that they had to deliver an electric shock. This did not actually happen, although the participant was unaware of this as they had themselves a sample (real!) shock at the start of the experiment.
They were encouraged to increase the voltage given after each incorrect answer up to a maximum voltage, and it was found that all participants gave shocks up to 300v, with 65 percent reaching the highest level of 450v.
It seems that obedience is most likely to occur in an unfamiliar environment and in the presence of an authority figure, especially when covert pressure is put upon people to obey. It is also possible that it occurs because the participant felt that someone other than themselves was responsible for their actions.
Prisoners became passive, whilst the guards assumed an active, brutal, and dominant role. Although normative and informational social influence played a role here, deindividuation/the loss of a sense of identity seemed most likely to lead to conformity.
Social psychology sometimes offers a narrow view, capturing only a momentary slice of a broader, evolving process. This might mean that the field fails to capture the depth, evolution, or intricacies of social processes over time.
Social psychology utilizes a wide range of specific theories for various kinds of social and cognitive phenomena. Here is a sampling of some of the more influential theories that can be found in this branch of psychology.
When looking at social behavior, social psychologists often take different perspectives to look at certain aspects of the situation. These perspectives inform how researchers consider the problem and the types of explanations they might explore. The four main social psychology perspectives that researchers might use are:
Think of each perspective as a lens through which psychologists can look at different aspects of human behavior. Learning about each perspective can give you a greater understanding of the many influences that can affect people's behavior in groups.
By understanding all of the many influences that contribute to social behavior, including culture, social learning, genetics, and individual differences, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the many forces that influence how people think and act in social situations.
Social psychology is a highly empirical field. Rather than seeking global theories of human behavior, as are frequently found in personality theory, social psychologists utilize a wide range of specific theories for various kinds of social and cognitive phenomena. Here is a sampling of some of the more influential theories that can be found in this branch of psychology.
The social psychology graduate program at UCSC has a unique mission and focus. We use Kurt Lewin's model of "full-cycle" (theory-application-action) social psychology to study a broad range of topics related to social justice. Our students learn to apply psychological theories and data to the analysis and solution of a wide range of social problems. Knowledge gained in action-oriented research leads, in turn, to the development of new theory. We examine justice-related issues in different cultural, political, and policy contexts, through a variety of research methods. Our students are trained in laboratory, field, and survey methods; they are encouraged to attend to issues of race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, and physical ableness, and are steeped in critical theoretical perspectives such as feminist theory. Our graduates go on to successful careers in academia as well as in community, government, and non-profit settings. Our approach to research and training, combined with the quality and competencies of our faculty, make our program among the nation's best for the psychological study of social justice issues.
Authored by leading international experts, each chapter represents a personal and historical narrative of the theory's development including the inspirations, critical junctures, and problem-solving efforts that effected theoretical choices and determined the theory's impact and its evolution. Unique to this handbook, these narratives provide a rich background for understanding how theories are created, nurtured, and shaped over time, and examining their unique contribution to the field as a whole. To examine its societal impact, each theory is evaluated in terms of its applicability to better understanding and solving critical social issues and problems. Paul A. M. Van Lange, Arie W. Kruglanski and E. Tory HigginsIntroduction PART ONE: BIOLOGICAL/EVOLUTIONARY LEVEL OF ANALYSISDouglas T. KenrickEvolutionary Theory and Human Social BehaviorShelley E. TaylorTend and Befriend TheoryJohn T. Cacioppo, Gary G. Berntson, Catherine J. Norris and Jackie K. GollanThe Evaluative Space Model PART TWO: COGNITIVE LEVEL OF ANALYSISE. Tory HigginsAccessibility TheoryFritz Strack and Roland Deutsch A Theory of Impulse and ReflectionYaacov Trope and Nira LibermanConstrual Level TheoryBernard WeinerAn Attribution Theory of MotivationRobert S. WyerA Theory of Social Information ProcessingChester A. InskoBalance-Logic TheoryArie W. KruglanskiLay Epistemic TheoryRichard E. Petty and Pablo BriolThe Elaboration Likelihood ModelShelly Chaiken and Alison LedgerwoodA Theory of Heuristic and Systematic Information Susan T. FiskeThe Continuum Model and the Stereotype Content ModelNorbert SchwarzFeelings-as-Information TheoryGun R. SeminThe Linguistic Category ModelRobin R. Vallacher and Daniel M. WegnerAction Identification TheoryAlbert BanduraSocial Cognitive Theory PART THREE: MOTIVATIONAL/AFFECTIVE LEVEL OF ANALYSISJoel CooperCognitive Dissonance TheoryJeffrey Greenberg and Jamie ArndtTerror Management TheoryEdward L. Deci and Richard RyanSelf-Determination TheoryIcek AjzenThe Theory of Planned BehaviorJerry Suls and Ladd WheelerSocial Comparison Theory: From Group Dynamics to Social CognitionE. Tory HigginsRegulatory Focus TheoryCharles S. Carver and Michael F. ScheierA Model of Behavioral Self-RegulationPeter M. GollwitzerMindset Theory of Action Phases VOLUME 2 Paul A. M. Van Lange, Arie W. Kruglanski and E. Tory HigginsPrefaceWalter MischelSelf-Control TheoryWilliam B. SwannSelf-Verification TheoryCarol S. DweckImplicit TheoriesMichael A. HoggUncertainty-Identity TheoryMarilynn B. BrewerOptimal Distinctiveness TheoryLeonard BerkowitzA Cognitive-Neoassociation Theory of Aggression PART FOUR: INTERPERSONAL LEVEL OF ANALYSISRoy F. BaumeisterNeed to Belong TheoryMark R. LearySociometer TheoryPhilipe R. Shaver and Mario MikulincerAttachment TheoryGerald EchtertoffShared Reality Model Elaine Hatfield and Richard L. RapsonEquity Theory in Close RelationshipsCaryl E. Rusbult, Christopher R. Agnew and Ximena R. ArriagaThe Investment Model of Commitment ProcessesMargaret S. Clark and Judson R. MillsA Theory of Communal (and Exchange) RelationshipsPaul A. M. van Lange and Caryl E. RusbultInterdependence Theory PART FIVE: GROUP AND CULTURAL LEVEL OF ANALYSISMorton DeutschA Theory of Co-operation and Competition and BeyondRobert B. CialdiniThe Focus Theory of Normative ConductJohn T. Jost and Jojanneke van der ToornSystem Justification TheoryTom R. TylerJustice TheoryCharlan J. NemethMinority Influence TheoryNaomi Ellemers and S. Alexander HaslamSocial Identity TheoryJohn C. Turner and Katherine J. ReynoldsSelf-Categorization TheoryJim Sidanius and Felicia PrattoSocial Dominance TheorySam Geartner and John DovidioThe Common Ingroup Identity ModelAlice H. Eagly and Wendy WoodSocial Role Theory: A Biosocial Analysis of Sex Differences and SimilaritiesPatrick Rateau, Pascal Moliner, Christian Guimelli and Jean-Claude AbricSocial Representation TheoryHarry C. Triandis and Michele J. GelfandA Theory of Individualism and Collectivism 'These volumes would be of interest to professionals in the field, as each chapter provides a scholarly overview of each theory. Graduate students and those just beginning their professional careers should also find the personal narratives of interest. The opportunity to pull back the curtain and peek into the thought process of some of social psychology's most prominent theorists as they struggled with their creations is not only a valuable lesson but a treat as well. I look forward to adding these volumes to my personal collection' -
Mark A. StambushAmerican Psychological Association