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Definition of Social Psychology

Definition of Social Psychology. The scientific study of how individuals think. Feel, and behave toward other people and how individuals thoughts, feelings, & behaviours are affected by other people (Brehm, Kassin, & Fein 2002 p5).

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Definition of Social Psychology

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  1. Definition of Social Psychology • The scientific study of how individuals think. Feel, and behave toward other people and how individuals thoughts, feelings, & behaviours are affected by other people (Brehm, Kassin, & Fein 2002 p5). • The scientific investigation of how the thoughts feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined and implied presence of others (Hogg & Vaughan 2005 p4).

  2. Social psychology of helping behaviour • On 13 March 1964 Catherine Genovese (28), bar manager, arrived home at about 3:15 a.m. • She lived in a block of flats in Kew Gardens (New York) where she parked her car some 100 feet from her apartment. • A stranger (Winston Moseley) intercepted & stabbed her for no known reason other than that Moseley was a necrophiliac.

  3. Catherine Genovese (Kitty) • New York Times story (27 March 1964) • For about 1/2 hour 38 law abiding citizens watched the murder of Kitty Genovese without phoning the police or coming to her aid. • Why did so many people fail to help? Kitty (28 at the time)

  4. Social & cognitive processes • Ways in which our emotions influence our thinking • Ways in which our motives justify our means • Ways in which significant others, e.g. family, society, influence our attitudes, values and beliefs. • Ways in which our perceptions influence our reality

  5. Cognitive processes

  6. Cognitive processes

  7. Two fundamental principles: People construct their own reality People are influenced & influence others Three motivational principles: Strive for mastery Strive for connectedness Value “me & mine” Three processing principles: Conservatism Accessibility Superficiality Vs Depth 8 Principles of Social Behaviour

  8. Recommended Reading • Brehm, S.S., Kassin, S., M., & Fein, S (2002) Social Psychology. Houghton Mifflin: London (chapter 1) • Hogg, M., & Vaughan, G. (2005) Social Psychology (4th edition) Prentice-Hall: London (chapter 1)

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