week 1 what is social psychology

how does Gordon allport (1954) describe social psychology

Social psychology is the scientific attempt to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others

Gordon allport: what does it mean by social psychology being scientific

-empirical methods

-falsifiable hypothesis

-generalizable explanations

why it matters: The evidence enables appropriate trust and link to interventions

Gordon allport: what does it mean by social psychology being social

-we dont need to be with others to be influenced by them

-social context affects us even when alone (norms, culture)

why it matters: social reality is internalized, behaviour is social even when were alone

Gordon allport: what does it mean by social psychology being holistic

-Thoughts: beliefs, perceptions, sterotypes, judgments

-Feelings: emotions, intuitive attitudes

-Behaviour: actions, decisions, interactions

why it matters Understanding people and groups isn't just about what they do, but how and why

whats Kurt Lewin (1936) insight + formula

behaviour is a product of the person and the enviroment

formula: B= f (P, E)

B(behaviour) P(person) E(environment)

Whats gestalt psychology

-the whole is other than the sum of its parts"- Kurt Koffka

origin: name all important social psychologists

-Kurt Lewin

-Henri Tajfel-social identities and group behaviour

-Stanley Milgram-trial of adolf eichmann: "just following orders"

-Phillip Zimbardo

-Mamie & Kenneth Clark (doll experiment)

what are the 6 big ideas in social psychology

1. the power of situation-Milgram shock, bystander effect

2. social influence is pervasive-asch line study

3. the need to belong is fundamental-Eisenberger, Lieberman, & Williams, K.D. (2003)-FMRI shows socialpain= same brain active as physical pain,-ball passing study-Gonsalkorale & Williams (2007

4. the power of social identities-"us vs them"

5. social world is interpreted-Jones & Harris 2007 essay- pro-castro vs anti castro= essay shows their opinion. Vallone, Ross & Lepper (1985).- news isrealies and palenstinians both found offensive

6. intuitions: "under the surface" Todorov, Olivola, Dotsch, & Mende-Siedlecki (2015).-men crossed bridge then attractive researcher told to describe story- wrote more sexual stories.

what are allport 4 princibles of when contact is most effective

1.equal status

2. cooperation

3. common goals

4. support by social and institutional authorities

whats Aronson's jigsaw classroom

creates the situation for contact to work in mixed race classrooms

how did behavioural insighs influence people to pay their taxes

documents showed comparisents of residents and their neghbours- people want to be like the group + more likley to pay when info is shown

Social Psychological Theory → Intervention → Impact

why do governments fund research

to generate knowledge, solve problems and improve lives

what did Evverett et al 2014 find about charaties

Everett et al. (2014) show that putting charitable donations as a default choice increased donations to charity.