Social Psychology and Non-social Psychology - Assignment Example

? Social Psychology and Non-social Psychology College or s By conducting a well-designed correlational study, social psychologists can demonstrate cause and effect relationships between independent and dependent variables. FALSE. Why? The Explanation The terms ‘cause and effect’ and ‘relationships’ between is questionable in a correlational study. By definition, “correlation means association, a measure of the extent to which variables- dependent and independent – are related. It is important to distinguish that correlation is not an experimental research method, but a way of analyzing data gathered by other means” (McLeod, 2008, p. 1). There is a difference between what is an experimental method and a correlational study. According to researcher S. McLeod of Simply Psychology (2008), “an experiment isolates and manipulates an independent variable in order to observe its effect on the dependent variable and controls the environment in order that extraneous (coming from the outside) variables may be eliminated. Experiments establish cause and effect and are used to predict causation” (McLeod, 2008, p. 1). Key concepts and terms to be noted are ‘to observe and control’. On the other hand, “correlation identifies variables and looks for a relationship between them” (p. 1). There is no isolation of the variables or control of the environment. “Correlation studies can only predict relationships. Correlation is not and cannot be taken to imply or infer causation or cause and effect. Correlation allows the researcher to clearly see if there is a relationship between variables and can be expressed in graphical form” (McLeod, 2008, p. 1). 33. When a social psychologists states that someone has committed “the fundamental attribution error”, one thing that he or she is essentially saying is that the person has (c) overestimated the impact of personality characteristics. Explanation of the Fundamental Attribution Error Personality characteristics are also defined as behaviorisms and attributes. Social psychologists often explain behaviorisms of individuals and groups by characterizing and categorizing attributes to their behaviors. “An attribution is an idea or belief about the etiology (the study of causes or origins) of certain behaviors(s). And according to social psychologists the Attribution Theory explains our own behaviors and the behaviors of others by assigning attributes to these behaviors” (AllPsych & Heffner Media Group, Inc., 2011, p. 2). The Fundamental Attribution Error explains “an overestimation of the internal (dispositional) and underestimation of the external (situational) factors when explaining behaviors of others” (p. 2). As social and psychological researchers, Melucci (2010) and Kelley (1967) one of the founders of ‘Attribution Theory’ have explained, “…often dispositional (internal) attributes are used rather than situational (external) attributions in explaining the behaviors of others…there is downplaying the power of the situation to influence action” (Melucci, 2010, p. 281 & Kelley, 1967). Psychologically speaking, a literary adage further clarifies the concept, “…if your friend jumped from a cliff, would you?” Consideration and contemplative thought are required concerning the friend dispositional attributions. Explanation of the ‘Non-social’ Psychology Social psychology and concepts of cultural norms, beliefs, and perspectives not only delve into the analysis of what individuals and groups have in common, but also the diverse interpretations that speak of the ‘quality of difference’. What environmental factors produce or induce isolation of an individual or small group? The dialectic perspectives of many individuals and groups of society are what design the mosaic of diverse ‘voices’ – those addressing issues of non-social psychology. The concept of the psychoecology of society touches upon “non-social psychology” and what it means to be an independently thinking being amongst the mosaic. Think and cognitively reflect on the concept of ‘non-social psychology’ and the composition of an orchestra or instrumental symphony. Each individual musician and his/her instrument is a musical ethos, in and of itself, a piece of the entire orchestra – and important link in the chain of symphonic design. When an individual chooses the concept of ‘isolation’ – a seemingly ‘wrong’ answer in Social Psychology’, it may often be due to analytical reasoning. Taking ‘time-outs’ to cognitive reflect and critically think about ‘self’ and decision-making concerning affective socialization does make common sense. It does make common sense to take a moment away from the chaotic, hustle and bustle of emerging and everyday existence to participate in reflexivity (displaced observations). Under the realm of Psychology, and specifically non-social or anti-social psychology, there are discussions and research studies that analyze ‘anti-social personalities’. Definitions of symptoms and behaviors sometimes characterize the non-social or anti-social behavior or ‘disorder’. According to research studies concerning individuals that exhibit the non-social, psychological behaviors are often viewed as dysfunctional in crowds or crowed situations. Behaviors of indifference or ‘no emotion’ is identified as a symptom of the non-social psyche. Psychoanalysts point out that it is difficult to determine if the individual with indifferent behaviors are prone to harming themselves, or are prone to sudden aggressive behaviors. Impulsive, non-feeling and non-fearing behaviors are characteristics and characteristics of a non-social or anti-social individual – one attempting to ‘break away from the crowd’. In further explanation of the non-social psychological personality, research has indicated that the non-social person will attempt stunts or actions that exert pain and behavior as if nothing has happened. A ‘Social Psychology’ Explanation The inquiry…what is ‘social psychology’? Social psychology is pursuing an understanding of social behavior and personalities. In reaching this understanding, the concept of ‘culture’ – commonalities and significant difference, the variances and norms of the quantitative and qualitative analysis – become important. “Culture affects the way people interpret their own feelings, motives, and behaviors, and those of others as well” (Melucci, 2010, p. 280). Social psychology pursues the understanding of individual and group behaviors and their attitudes that are the result of stability, instability, internal, and external influences and conditions. The concept that there is ‘cure’ in diversity of society and this is what creates shared meaning. There is a psychoecology that exist and is inclusive of social ecopsychology, the environment, and the context of critical thought. In the studies of social psychology, there is what becomes termed “theory of mind” and as social psychologists explain… “Theory of mind is how we begin to explain why other people do what they do” (Melucci, 2010, p. 280). Theory of mind is the fundamental difference in cognitive thinking, perspectives, feelings, needs, and ultimately philosophical thoughts of the diverse society. Values are created. The Attribution Theory In Social Psychology, there is a theory known as “The Attribution Theory” that helps explain the definitions and meanings that create the mosaics of the people, their behaviors, their voices. According to social psychologists, “the Attribution Theory is a framework for explaining the cognitive and social processes by which we formulate our explanations for our own and other’s behavior. Attribution is defined as an explanation for the causes of behavior – the socializations of society” (Melucci, 2010 & Kelley, 1967, p. 281, 380). Attributes are characteristics of individuals and groups, the variables of significant difference but also commonalities. Definitions of statistical analyses play in the mind. But what makes the Attribution Theory different form other explanations are what the psychologists define as “…internal attributions (our dispositions) and external attributions (out situations). Furthermore, in order to create these attributions, comparisons are made between people’s behavior” (Melucci, 2010, p. 281). What are the standard deviations, significant difference, or means and modes of the average or typical persons? “What are their consistent behaviors over time? How similar is it to their behavior in other situations?” (p. 281). The human, societal statistics play a very important role in the “Social-psychology answer”. Present examples that fit the theory. How do these examples fit with Social Psychological concepts or theories? Social psychologists (2010) point out that it is ‘situational attributes and unstable, internal attributes that explain our own social behaviors. Indeed, this is quite an interesting psychological explanation. This is a form of social cognitive bias called the “actor-observer effect”. The causes and affects are relational. For example, situational wins are a result of effective strategic plans. The lawyer won in court because he/she performed extensive research and study pertaining to the case. Dispositional loses resulted as an outcome of ineffective consideration of a situation. Again, this is perceived as “a form of social cognitive bias – the ‘actor-observer effect; the social psychological concept” (Melucci, 2010, p. 281). References AllPsych & Heffner Media Group (2011). Psych Dictionary (A) at AllPsych Online Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/dictionary/a.html Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2010). Social Psychology (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education, Inc. (Used for reference, not for quotation or citation). McLeod, S. (2008). Correlation. Simply Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/correlation.html. Melucci, N. Ph.D. (2012). Barron’s E-Z Psychology. Hauppauge, New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Read More