Introduction to Social Psychology

Question 1

What are the differences between personality and social psychology, and the relationship between the two

Answer 1

personality psychology:
looking at how personal traits (personalities) can influence a person’s thoughts and behaviours in a social context
(personality traits as the locus of explanation)

social psychology:
looking at how the social context and content can influence a person’s thoughts and behaviours
(using social content and context as the locus of explanation)

these two are closely intertwined

Question 2

the formula of social interactionism

Answer 2

x (any thoughts and behaviours) = f(p x s)

Question 3

what are the characteristics of social psychology

Answer 3

group: individual (vs sociology: group)
methodology: empirical scientific research (vs philosophy)
analyses: quantitative (vs philosophy: qualitative)
theories: causal relationship between the variables
content: social

Question 4

What are the core tenets, motivations and the processing principles of social psychology

Answer 4

Tenets:
- There is no such thing as objective reality, as reality is shaped by personal thoughts and beliefs

• Social influence is powerful and can influence a person’s thoughts and behaviours

Motivations:
- Striving for mastery
- Seeking for connectedness
- Gaining the sense of positive me and mine

Processing principles:
- conservatism: people’s beliefs and thoughts are hardly changed

• Accessibility:
  the current context is easier to access for the brain network, and therefore is most influential
• Processing depth:
  automatic (quick and intuitive but sometimes inaccurate) vs controlled

Question 5

Explain the three validities

Answer 5

construct validity:
since most constructs that we measure = intangible, construct validity = make sure that the construct is measured by the right measurement
solve: multiple measurements

internal validity:
> the extent of the causal relationship between the IV and the DV is well-justified
solve: manipulation of the IV and random assignment

external validity:
> since the result of the experiments has to be generalised, the place, time and settings have to be most generalised.
solve: appropriate sampling and good research design