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Differences between theories and understandings

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1. Explain two major differences between common sense understandings and social psychological theories. Illustrate with an example. What is the danger in relying on common sense or intuition in learning about the relationship between the individual and his or her environment?

2. Summarize three different positions that have been taken concerning the influence of values on social science. Illustrate the three positions with an example.

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Solution Summary

The following solution explains two major differences between common sense understandings and social psychological theories. It provides an example of each. Also the solution explains why relying on common sense or intuition in learning about the relationship between the individual and his/her environment is not necessarily a good idea. There is also a discussion of three different positions that have been taken concerning the influence of values on social science with an example.

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1.Social psychological theories tend to focus on the individual or on the group and explains how the thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by others. Theorists emphasize immediate the social situation and the interaction between people and situation variables. The research done is quantitave. Social psychologists use a wide range of specific theories for various kinds of social and cognitive phenomena. For example, observationists believe that behavior can be acquired by the observation and imitation of others. Common sense understandings consist of what people in common would agree on. It tends to relate to events within the human experience and thus appear consumate with human skill. For example the 3 r's ...

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