Intro to social area

• What is the main focus of social psychology?

  Influence of environment and people on behavior
• How does social context affect behavior according to social psychology?

  It changes and influences people's behavior
• What type of explanation does social psychology provide for behavior?

  Situational explanation rather than individual explanation
• On which side of the nature vs. nurture debate does social psychology sit?


  Nurture side
• What is social context in social psychology?

  • Influence of social factors
  • Includes culture, society, and historical context
  • Affects individual behavior and psychological processes
• What does a situational explanation refer to?

  Using the situation to explain behavior
• What does an individual explanation refer to?

  Using personal characteristics to explain behavior
• What is the nature debate in psychology?

  • Focuses on genetics (nature)
  • Examines role of genetics in characteristics
  • Contrasts with nurture factors
• What is the nurture debate in psychology?

  • Focuses on lived experience and environment
  • Examines role of environmental factors in characteristics
  • Contrasts with genetic factors