Social Psychology
Psychology refers, broadly, to the study of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. There are several different types of psychology, each of which contributes to our understanding of different facets of our lives. One of the most illuminating psychological disciplines is that of social psychology. Social psychologists study the ways in which our psychological states are impacted by the people around us. Learning more about social psychology can help you understand the myriad ways your social interactions influence your mental and emotional health. To that end, below we’re discussing what social psychology is and the vital roles social psychologists play in helping us understand interpersonal relations.
What is social psychology?
Social psychology is a large field that touches on the intersection of our psyches and our social connections. Gordon Allport, who was instrumental to the development the field, described it like this: "Social psychology is the scientific attempt to explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human beings."
Social psychologists study the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of people. Social psychology incorporates the total person, not just their experiences. It’s important to note that social psychology is not the same thing as sociology. Social psychology and sociology have some similarities, but sociology is the study of the group. Social psychology is on the opposite side—it looks at how the individual is being impacted by the group.
Social psychology's history
The concepts and theories propounded by social psychologists can be traced back to ideas put forth by philosophers like Aristotle and Plato. Then, a German philosopher named Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel proposed the idea that society played a role in how the mind develops. This importance placed on society was a very important discovery when it comes to social psychology.
However, the greatest progress in social psychology was made after the 1940s, when World War II ended. People became fascinated with learning about how people worked socially and in groups and how being around other people socially and vocationally impacted individual behavior.
Social psychology's importance
Humans are social beings, deriving energy, information, and support from social interactions with one another. Human beings are social creatures, constantly interacting with one another, and are impacted in significant ways by social interaction and the people that are around us.
Some of the topics studied in social psychology include stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and self-concept. Social psychology even includes examining social and psychological phenomena like the way other people's opinions of us can influence how we think about ourselves. All these concepts of social psychology are important when it comes to interpreting and understanding ours within society and the world around us.
What does a social psychologist do?
Social psychologists study people and how their social interactions impact their thoughts, feelings, and actions. There are many different roles that a social psychologist can fill. There are some social psychologists who take on teaching roles at universities and colleges. Other social psychologists conduct research, looking to further our understanding through scientific studies. These social psychologists may do this for the government or in the citizen sector.
Because of the deep understanding that social psychologists often have of the brain and human behavior, these psychologists can be employed as political strategists, marketing directors, and designers. There are also many social psychologists who work in human resources departments in the corporate world, helping companies select candidates for hiring and devising training strategies. The knowledge base that many social psychologists have can be useful in varied arenas outside of psychology. Social psychologists continue to work in educational environments, government offices, hospitals, and close corporations, among other roles.
Social psychology methods
There are many ways that social psychologists conduct their studies. Research is becoming easier for social psychologists to conduct because of modern-day technology. Some of the methods social psychologists use include:
- Lab Research - Many experiments in social psychology are conducted in labs. This is beneficial to psychologists because they can control and manipulate the variables that they need to obtain results they can use.
- Field Research – Working in the field allows psychologists to step out of the lab to conduct research. This provides them with the opportunity to study people in their natural environments, where they may be more apt to act as they normally do. It can be difficult to get accurate responses in a lab where people know they are being studied and observed.
- Survey Research - This is considered an effective way to study the feelings and behaviors of individuals because of its efficiency. With the use of modern-day technology, psychologists can do a more thorough job of gathering information on a broader base of people instead of only those living within a single area.
- Archival Research – This occurs when social psychologists look at records that already exist to pull information for studies, including things like police records or medical statistics. This can be more accurate than asking people to remember the information on their own.
How social psychology can help you
Takeaway
According to the American Psychological Association, (sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “American Psychology Association”), social psychologists primarily focus on interpersonal and group dynamics, as well as social challenges. These challenges include:
- Prejudice
- Implicit bias
- Bullying
- Criminal activity
- Substance abuse
Social psychologists may also focus on the development of concepts like social identity theory, which aims to understand the ways that individuals think of themselves in terms of their own identity and the identity of a group. In addition, social psychology may overlap with other psychological fields in certain cases. For example, while social development typically relates to developmental psychology, it also contains elements that a social psychologist may encounter in their work.
In some cases, a person referring to a general “psychologist” is discussing a person working in the field of clinical psychology. While both social and clinical psychology can address similar subjects, there are key differences that separate these two mental health fields.
Social psychology focuses primarily on social interactions, including the reasons we engage in certain behaviors and what effect these behaviors can have on ourselves and others. Clinical psychology, on the other hand, focuses on the more general topics of mental and behavioral healthcare. A clinical psychologist may undertake a variety of tasks, including providing direct care to patients, training other physicians, or educating students about mental health topics.
Are social psychologists sociologists?
While sociology and social psychology both concern human behavior, a social psychologist is not always a sociologist. Social psychology focuses on the way we behave and influence one another. This means that social psychologists may often be concerned with interpersonal conflicts, whether they happen in romantic partnerships, the workplace, families, or within friend groups.
Sociology, on the other hand, is the study of society as a whole, including the social behavior of people, cultures, and entire civilizations. A sociologist may look at some subjects that a social psychologist would, like interpersonal interactions, but they may use specific research methods to explore areas like religion or politics and their effects on society.
While there are numerous theories and ideas associated with social psychology, three major areas of focus include social behavior, social thinking, and social influence.
- Social Behavior: Social behavior is defined as actions that we perform as part of a specific group. These actions are often influenced by the presence (whether imagined or actual) of others.
- Social Thinking: Social thinking relates to the interpretation of our thoughts and actions (as well as the thoughts and actions of others) within the context of our own experience.
- Social Influence: Social influence refers to the way our behavior or thought patterns can be influenced by other people or the world around us. These can reach us through social interactions, including by talking to others or through other contexts like social media or news networks.
Today, social psychologists focus on a variety of subjects, including researching ways to address interpersonal relationships and societal challenges. These challenges can vary, from conflicts within families and partnerships to larger-scale issues like the opioid crisis, crime, cyberbullying, and systemic racism. Social psychologists may also work as consultants for businesses and organizations, often working with the human resources or marketing departments. In addition, social psychologists can work for universities and colleges, either as educators or as part of their research teams.
While some social psychologists may have individual clients they work with, many in the field work in the citizen sector or as educators, government employees, and researchers. Social psychologists may also have clients in a business sense rather than a psychological sense. For example, those working in social psychology may act as consultants for businesses or government agencies, which allows them to have more flexibility in the groups they work with and the rates they charge.
Businesses and organizations would go to a social psychologist for any challenges relating to society, group dynamics, public perceptions, and the general psychology of interpersonal struggles. While it's unlikely that an individual would see a social psychologist in a clinical sense, you may seek out their help for various other roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are a number of roles you could find a psychologist in, many of which could also apply to social psychologists. These include serving as constituents of a healthcare team, collaborating with social workers and physicians, working as educators, or conducting research. The BLS also cites labor statistics related to the job outlook for psychologists (196,000 in 2022) and the typical level of education required (either a doctorate degree or a master’s degree in psychology.)
Are social psychologists therapists?
While it may be possible for social psychologists to be psychotherapists, the majority do not treat patients. Instead, these professionals will typically conduct social psychology research, work in educational programs at universities or colleges, or act as consultants. In addition, social psychologists can apply their knowledge and experience to a variety of research roles, conducting scientific studies that address group behavior and the challenges facing modern society. Those working in the social psychology field may also find careers relating to political science or marketing, often as strategists or directors.
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