Social Psych

• Social psychology is the scientific study of the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of individuals in social situations
• Social psychology


  Studies how individuals relate to social contexts they live in, particularly their everyday interaction with others
• Social psychology


  Studies how the person is influenced by the social environment, and how social influences and personal dispositions shape behavior
• Norman Triplett (1897-98) conducted the first experiment in social psychology, observing that cyclists perform better when racing with an opponent
• The first book in social psychology was written in 1908 by American sociologist EA Ross and British psychologist William McDougall
• Kurt Lewin


  • Father of Social Psychology, developed field theory and studied group dynamics and organizational development
• Major domains of North American social psychology

  • Social thinking
  • Social influence
  • Social relations
• Social comparison theory


  Evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself with others
• Cognitive dissonance


  Tension that arises when one is simultaneously aware of two inconsistent cognitions
• Attitude


  A psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular object with some degree of favor or disfavor, like or dislike
• Tri-componential view of attitudes

  Cognitive (thoughts, ideas, beliefs), Affective (feelings and emotions), Behavioral (action related)
• European social psychology focused more on intergroup relations and social contextual dimensions of behavior, critiquing the North American focus on individuals
• Social identity theory


  The 'we' aspect of our self-concept, the groups we belong to as an important source of pride and social identity
• Social representations


  Socially shared ideas about the world around us, needed for people to understand and interact with each other
• Minority influence theory


  Argues that a minority can overcome majority influence if the minority is consistent and confident
• Asian social psychology is generally branded as 'cultural', contributing in areas of indigenous research, culture and social behavior, and specific topics
• Relational orientation


  The conceptual framework of Asian social psychology, beginning with a relational conception of human existence
• Social psychology's big ideas include: we construct our social reality, our social intuitions are powerful but sometimes perilous, social influences shape behavior, personal attitudes and dispositions also shape behavior, social behavior is biologically rooted, and social psychology's principles are applicable and relevant in everyday life
• Common sense is predictably wrong, but right after the fact
• In the Philippines, social psychology initially imported Western theoretical models and methods, with little progress in formulating indigenous Filipino theories
• Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology)

  Psychology born out of the experience, thought and orientation of Filipinos, based on the full use of Filipino culture and language