Slide 1

Question 1

What is social psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of how people think about, influence and relate to one another.

Question 2

What is applied social psychology?

Answer 2

The branch of social psychology that draws on social psychological theories, principles, methods and research evidence to contribute:

a. the understanding of social and practical problems

b. the development of intervention strategies for improving the functioning of individuals , groups, organizations and societies with respect to social and practical problems

Question 3

What are the differences between basic and applied social psychology?

Answer 3

1. basic social psychologists are interested in developing and testing theories while applied social psychologists focus on understanding and resolving social problems
2. Basic social psychologists conduct studies merely out of scientific curiosity while applied social psychologists try to contribute to solving social problems to improve people’s quality of life
3. Basic social psychologists follow a deductive approach while applied social psychologists follow an inductive approach.

Question 4

What are the similarities between basic and applied social psychologists?

Answer 4

1. they both use the scientific method and have certain core values (accuracy, objectivity, skepticism, open-mindedness, ethics)
2. They are both interested in understanding the factors that shape the behavior and thoughts of individuals including individual factors and social factors

Question 5

What are individual factors?

Answer 5

These refer to interpersonal characteristics and processes. Individual differences exist in cognitive processes, behaviour, and attitudes.

Question 6

What are social factors?

Answer 6

These pertain to the effect of opinions and actions of other people on our behaviour and thoughts.

Question 7

What are situational factors

Answer 7

These reflect contextual factors that may affect our behaviour and thought.

Question 8

What are cultural factors?

Answer 8

These refer to cultural values that affect cognitions and behaviour

Question 9

What are biological factors?

Answer 9

These pertain to the effect of biological processes and genetic factors on our behaviour and thoughts

Question 10

What is culture?

Answer 10

It is a system of shared meanings, perceptions and beliefs held by people belonging to a particular group

Question 11

What are cultural norms?

Answer 11

These are social rules concerning how people should behave in specific situations.

Question 12

Who’s work did applied social psychology begin with?

Answer 12

Kurt Lewin (1890-1947)

Question 13

What increased the interest of social psychologists in solving practical problems?

Answer 13

The rise of Nazism and World War II

Question 14

When was the foundation of applied social psychology set?

Answer 14

By 1950, but took 20 years to solidify because applied was considered low quality and therefore lacked purity.

Question 15

When was the first applied social psychology journal established?

Answer 15

1970-1971

Question 16

When and where was the first doctoral program founded?

Answer 16

Loyola Universityof Chicago, 1974

Question 17

What are some roles that applied social psychologists can take?

Answer 17

1. researcher
2. program designer
3. evaluation researcher/program evaluator
4. consultant
5. action researcher
   6.advocate