Evolution of Social Psychology

Question 1

Define social psychology

Answer 1

• The scientific study of the effects of social and cognitive processes on the way individuals perceive, influence and relate to others
• Individual behaviour. NOT group behaviour like sociology

Question 2

Why is a scientific study important to understand social psychology?

Answer 2

• It is true that folk wisdom and common sense approaches to behaviour have some accuracy
• BUT these methods are limited by culture and experience
• Leads to biased knowledge and possibly, prejudice/discrimination
• Scientific approach emphasises systematic study of behaviour and empirical evidence

Question 3

How do social processes inform social psychology?

Answer 3

Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the people around us, the groups to which we belong, our upbringing, and our culture

Question 4

How do cognitive processes inform social psychology?

Answer 4

Our memories, perceptions, thoughts and emotions guide our understanding of the world and our actions

Question 5

How do social and cognitive processes interact to inform social psychology?

Answer 5

• Other people’s beliefs, desires, actions and expectations remain in our thoughts; affecting us even when we are physically alone

Question 6

What are the possible causes of the replication crisis?

Answer 6

1. Data manipulation
   - Dropping (and not reporting) DVs that were not consistent with predictions
   - Dropping (and not reporting) conditions if they did not work
2. False positives
   - Stopping collection whenever hypothesis were met
   - Removing ‘outlier’ participants
   - Use of exploratory moderators, or exploratory covariates
3. Not all researchers share their raw data with the public so others can check their work
   - Under-powered designs (should at least be 20 participants per study)