Unit 0 Flashcards
The science of the social side of life
What is the object of studies?
human beings
Do we agree with Gordons Statement that “The scientific investigation of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of others.”
No
According to Allport, Behaviour is influenced by..
- motives
- goals
- perspective
- cultural background
-> actor and observer
+feelings, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, intentions, goals
What is Social Psychology?
The science that tries to understand the causes of social behaviour by focusing on the behaviour of individuals.
What is the definition of social psychology of the book?
the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior, feelings, and thoughts in social situations
what does social psychology investigate?
the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we find ourselves—by other people or our thoughts about them.
The “Father” of Social Psychology
Gordon W. Allport
What other disciplines is social psychology related to?
Cognitive Psychology, Economics, Individual Psychology, Soziolinguistics/ Language/ Communication, Sociology, Social Anthropology
What are the 5 core characteristics of science?
- Accuracy
- Replicability
- Objectivity
- Skepticism
- Open-mindedness
What is accuracy? (5 core characteristics of science)
A commitment to gathering and evaluating information about the world in an as careful, precise, and error-free manner as possible
(NOT the same as watching people)
-> should be replicable
What is Replicability? (5 core characteristics of science)
The same “findings” will be obtained when someone else performs the experiment/observation
What is Objectivity (5 core characteristics of science)?
A commitment to obtain and evaluate information in a manner that is as free form bias as possible
What is Skepticism (5 core characteristics of science)?
A commitment to accepting findings as accurate only to the extent they have been verified over and over again. (again: important that it is replicable)
What is Open-mindedness (5 core characteristics of science)?
A commitment to change one’s views when evidence suggests that these views are inaccurate
-> revisions in assumptions about human nature
What are examples of changes in assumptions about human nature?
- role of groups in our well-being (how the groups and being separated by them influences us)
- non-conscious processes (not everything we do is a conscious choice)
- the framing of issues can affect attitudes and preferences
What does Bias mean?
Beliefs not founded in known facts (ex. confirmation bias and hindsight bias (- I knew it all along -)
What are examples for unconscious bias?
Tribalism, Stereotypes, Sexism, Prejudice, Discrimination, Racism
Can our own experience be considered a part of social psychology?
No, because it is unreliable and based on unique experiences
What does communication do according to Allport?
serves a purpose
How do social contexts, self-identities and experiences influence each other?
social contexts/experiences forms self-identities forms social behaviour - influences social contexts/experiences and so on. (Hamsterrad)
What does Social Psychology take into account?
Groups, culture, emotion, non-social factors (environment, information framing, biology, appearances)
What do Social psychologists examine?
How..
- groups influence social behaviour
- culture becomes internalized and affects individual preferences
- emotions and moods affect the decision made by the individual
What are nonsocial factors?
features of the environment, how the information we receive is framed
what affects our thought and behaviour?
“who we are”