Social psychology

Social psychology is a branch of psychology that studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. This field is often considered a bridge between psychology and sociology, due to its focus on the interaction between individuals and their social context.

History

The origins of social psychology can be traced back to the late-19th century with the work of William James and Wilhelm Wundt. However, it wasn't until the 1930s that social psychology began to take its modern form, with the establishment of the first social psychology laboratory at the University of Iowa.

Key Concepts

Social psychology encompasses a wide range of concepts, including:

• Social Perception: This refers to the process by which we form impressions of others and make inferences about them.
• Social Influence: This involves the ways in which individuals change their behavior to meet the demands of a social environment.
• Social Interaction: This refers to how individuals act and react in relation to others.
• Group Dynamics: This involves the study of how individuals behave in groups.

Theories

There are several key theories in social psychology, including:

• Social Identity Theory: This theory suggests that individuals derive a part of their self-concept from their perceived membership in a relevant social group.
• Cognitive Dissonance Theory: This theory proposes that people have a fundamental cognitive drive to reduce this dissonance by modifying an existing belief, or rejecting one of the discordant elements.

Research Methods

Social psychologists use a variety of research methods, including experimental research, correlational studies, observational studies, and surveys.

Applications

Social psychology has been applied to a wide variety of fields, including business, law, education, health, and politics.

See Also

• Cognitive Psychology
• Behavioral Psychology
• Developmental Psychology