Social Psychology L1

Question 1

What is Social Psychology?

Answer 1

Social Psychology is a discipline in which people attempt to understand, explain, and predict how the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals are influenced by the perceived, imagined or implied thoughts, feelings and actions of others.

Question 2

What are the 5 approaches to Social Psychology?

Answer 2

1. Cognitive
2. Learning
3. Motivational
4. Biological
5. Cultural

Question 3

Explain the cognitive perspective of Social Psychology

Answer 3

It puts an emphasis on how your perception of things affects your behavior. For instance, if you perceive an accident as intentional you may respond aggressively.

Question 4

Explain the learning perspective of Social Psychology

Answer 4

Emphasis put on principles of reinforcement or imitation - people copy other people. Behaviors are learnt.

Question 5

Explain the motivational perspective of Social Psychology

Answer 5

Emphasis on basic human needs - both physical and psychological. Behaviors are adopted to meet psychological needs.

Question 6

Explain the biological perspective of Social Psychology

Answer 6

Emphasis on inherited genes and traits. Behaviors as adaptations to evolutionary forces.

Question 7

Explain the cultural perspective of Social Psychology

Answer 7

Emphasis on how culture affects behavior. Behavior’s shaped by cultural influence.

Question 8

What are the four different levels of analysis in Social Psychology?

Answer 8

. Intrapersonal (within people)
. Interpersonal (between individuals)
. Inter-group (within and between groups)
. Societal (within and between societies)

Question 9

What would Rousseau say about the nature of man?

Answer 9

“Man is by nature good and only institutions make him bad”

Question 10

What would Hobbes say about the nature of man?

Answer 10

“Man is by nature solitary, poore, nasty, and brutish”

It is societies rules that keep us in line