Semester 1 Flashcards
What is social psychology?
The scientific investigation of of how the behaviours, thoughts and feelings of an individual is affected by the presence (actual or imagined) of others
How does social psychology draw from cognitive psychology? (Show in flow diagram)
We draw inferences on internal processes based on observable processes, assuming that there is a mediational process.
Internal beliefs/feelings/goals → → cognitive process/neurochemical process → → social or antisocial behaviour
How can our thoughts be explained through social psychology?
We think in languages, which is learned and is formed from rules of others, so it is based on the idea of an implied presence.
What are five subdivisions of social psychology?
Economics, Social Anthropologie, Sociology, Cognitive Psychology and Sociolinguistics Language Communication
What can empirical tests do/not do?
They can falsify a hypothesis but can not technically prove it. It allows us to hold the theory with more merit and create more refined hypotheses in future
What is methodological pluralism?
When you prove a theory with many pieces of research with different methods.
What is conformation bias?
When an investigator loses objectivity in interpreting data due to personal involvement
Describe the two-factor design
Split the independent variable into two factors, so there are 4 conditions. This can add depth to the hypothesis and could prevent coder bias/investigator effect/confirmation bias.
What can non experimental research show (and not show)?
Can show a correlation, can’t show causation
What is archival research?
It is non-experimental. Examples include thematic analysis and content analysis. It uses secondary data
What is discourse analysis?
analysis of language and what people say in different contexts. It is based on the notion that we change language based on our social surroundings. However, it suggests that language is too nuanced and has too much implicit meaning to be analysed with statistical analysis.
What is survey research?
questionnaires, interviews etc. Good for large samples. Prone to experimenter, subject bias (aka participant bias) and evaluation apprehension (similar to social desirability bias)
Could also be analysed in a way that allows it to be experimental research
What are field studies?
Natural experiments
What makes a good theory?
- build on existing theory
- applicable to the real world
- specific
What should a social psychological theory be like?
It should explain social behaviour, generally in terms of one or more social psychological process. They should be able to generate hypotheses than can be tested empirically.
