Purchase Solution

Social influence, social perception, and social interaction

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Just need help or direction on what I should write relevant to topic:

1) How do I define social psychology?

I need to explain the discipline of social psychology and the following topics within social psychology: social influence, social perception, and social interaction.

(2) What exactly is conformity? and what makes people conform to others (e.g., join gangs, social groups, etc.)?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

Defines social psychology, and topics within social psychology: social influence, social perception, and social interaction. It also explains the concept of conformity and what makes people conform to others (e.g., join gangs, social groups, etc.), References are provided.

Solution Preview

Let's take a closer look.

RESPONSE:

1) How do I define social psychology? I need to explain the discipline of social psychology and the following topics within social psychology: social influence, social perception, and social interaction.

Social Psychology examines the influence of social processes on the way people: think (thoughts; cognition); feel (feelings; emotions), and; behave (behavior; actions) (Westen, et al, 2006). Another way to define social psychology is: "The scientific study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of people are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others" (Allport, 1985). (http://wilderdom.com/psychology/social/introduction/Influence.html)

Social Psychology asks certain questions, such as:

? Where do attitudes come from? (Attitudes)
? What leads to ethnic prejudice? (Prejudice)
? Why do people help others? (Altruism)
? How are we influenced by others? (Influence)
? Why do people obey their leaders? (Leadership)
? Why do people behave aggressively? (Aggression)
? Why are we attracted to others? (Attraction)

Social Psychology also deals with different themes including:

? Social Thinking - how we think about others e.g., Attributions
? Social Influence - how we are influenced by others, e.g., Conformity
? Social Perception - how we perceive others e.g.
? Social Relations and Interaction - how we interact with others, e.g., Relationships

(1) Social influence

Social influence is such that the mere presence of others can alter human behavior. Social influence "investigates the causes of human change--whether that ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Psychology

This quiz provides a general overview of psychology basics.

Developmental Psychology

This quiz explores the concepts, theories and key terminology associated with human psychological development.

Psychoanalysis and Sigmund Freud

This quiz explores the personality theory of psychoanalysis, in particular reference to how Freud conceptualized of this theory.

A Review of Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies

This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Knowing the difference between the two can help in making the important decision of which to use when conducting research.

Perspectives of Psychology

A review of main theoretical perspectives and those most closely associated with them