The Social Approach (week 7)

Question 1

The social Approach

Answer 1

*Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, intentions and goals are constructed within a social context by interactions with others.
*the approach looks at human behaviour as influenced by other people.
* Main reseach methods are lab and field experiments.

Question 2

Collective behaviour

Answer 2

• People can behave very differently when in groups/crowds vs when they are alone.
• Key feature of crowds = anonymity
• Anonymity > antisocial behaviour

Question 3

Antisocial behaviour

eg. London Riots

Answer 3

When people do not consider the rights of others and act in a way that is harmful to others.
eg. London Riots in 2011 - thousands of people rioted in cities/towns all across England.

Question 4

Social Pressure

Answer 4

Social pressure - the influence of a person or a group on another person or a group. May involve direct forms of influence such as orders, threats or demands, but may also involve the use of social approval or reward. Social pressure can lead to conformity or obedience.
* Social pressure can be a cause of riots.

Question 5

Zimbardo

Answer 5

• Zimbardo conducted a very controversial experiment within social psychology.
• Shows how our social role can affect the way we behave.
  Social roles - ways we behave as members of social groups. A person can have multiple social roles as they adapt their behaviour to meet expectations. eg. the role of being a student changes when you go home and play the role of a daughter or sister.

Question 6

Assumptions of the Social Approach

Answer 6

• Our behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be influenced by the actual/implied or imagined presence of others.
• All of our behaviour, cognitions, emotions can be influenced by social context, social environments and groups.

Question 7

Destructive obedience

Answer 7

Obedience that has the potential to cause psychological or physical harm/injury to another person.

Question 8

Individual & situational debate in psychology

Answer 8

Situational - behaviours that are influence by factors in the external environment.
Individual - behaviours that are influenced by factors within the person(dispositional)
* Social psychologists argue that our behaviour is determined by situational factors, others believe that it depends on our personal characteristics. Most research studies show evidence for both sides.