Social Psychology in the Real World - Essay Example

Social Psychology in the Real World SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE REAL WORLD Social Psychology’s history has for a long time been subject to controversy on the basis of its approaches to comprehending human behavior. Some of these controversies have been accompanied by a desire for the area to be more relevant, especially in developing nations. In fact, one of the most popular accusations against the field is that banalities and trivial issues dominate it, which has been attributed to its reliance on internal consistency and other limited traditional research criteria at the expense of such areas as pragmatic value and novelty (Tuffin, 2013). Most academics have commented that social psychology’s very survival and usefulness are subject to its practical applications and relevancy to the population targeted for study. In fact, most of the history of this field has been taken as one of academic self-interest, which has come at the expense of tackling existing and real needs. Therefore, with so many pressing issues in the real world, academics can hardly afford to engage in academic debate sans tackling real issues. Social psychology is increasingly being evaluated on the basis of its practical usefulness, which has added to frustration about its lack of apparent contribution to issues in the real world, especially given its ability to offer a lot more to the society. The very nature of social psychology is the study of social processes and individuals, meaning it can increase knowledge about real world problems and issues immensely (Tuffin, 2013). Particularly, the emphasis on human development in philosophical circles gives social psychology the unique opportunity to impact on real world problems. Social Psychology and the Real World The real world can be defined as the practical world in which we live, rather than the academic or intellectual world. It is the realm of actual or practical experience, instead of an idealized, theoretical or abstract sphere of the lecture hall, classroom, or academic discussions (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). It is within this world that social psychology must make a meaningful impact in order for it to improve the realm of human development. Social psychology can be defined, on its part as the scientific study regarding how the behaviors, feelings, and thoughts of people are impacted on by the implied, imagined, or actual presence of other people. Using this definition, the term scientific, is referent to investigations through the use of empirical means. Behaviors, feelings, or thoughts, on the other hand, are inclusive of those variables of psychology that can be measured in man. In addition, the implication of the presence of other people being implied or imagined is suggestive of the fact that humans are open to social influences in the absence of other people (Baron & Branscombe, 2012), for example, when watching TV or being observant of cultural norms that they have internalized. Typically, a social psychologist will explain the behavior of humans as being the result of interactions between an individual’s mental state and their adjacent social situations. Broadly, these professionals prefer empirical and lab-based findings with theories postulated in social psychology being more focused and specific, instead of being general and global (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). Thus, social psychology tends to deal with issues or factors that cause humans to act in a specific manner when they are around other people, while also investigating the conditions that are suitable for the occurrence of particular actions, behaviors, and feelings. The field of study is concerned with the manner in which these goals, intentions, beliefs, thoughts, and feelings are constructed, as well as the manner in which psychological factors influence how individuals interact with other people (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). Social psychology acts as an interdisciplinary domain that seeks connect the two fields of sociology and psychology. In the years that followed the end of the Second World War, frequent collaborative efforts between the fields of sociology and psychology were required in studying the effects of the war on the people (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). However, these two fields have grown more isolated and specialized, increasing the distance in their respective scopes of study. This has resulted from psychologists being more focused on social structure and other macro variables to a larger extent. However, in social psychology, sociological approaches are still an essential part of psychological research for this field. On top of this apparent split between sociology and psychology, a less visible albeit significant difference between social psychologists in Europe and those in America has emerged. This has been due to the fact that, traditionally, American researchers are more focused on the individual, while Social psychologists in Europe have been more focused on phenomena at the group level (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). Relevance of Social Psychology to the Real World Although the concept of the “crowd mind” was referred to by Plato, while various concepts like social facilitation and social loafing had already been introduced by the late 19th century, social psychology research did not commence in earnest until the completion of the highly traumatic Second World War (Potter, 2012). It was the horrors meted out on people during the war, such as the holocaust, which led researchers in both the US and Europe to study the impacts of social obedience, conformity, and influence. The United States government was also interested in the application of concepts and aspects of social psychology to the influence of American citizens. This area of study has undergone continuous growth during the last half century with inspiration of research that has propagated the understanding of social behavior and experience (Potter, 2012). Because the social world forms a profound part of human life, the study of social psychology is a fascinating topic. In order to ascertain the relevance of social psychology to the real world, it is important to understand how it differs from other related areas of study. Often, this field of study is confused with sociology and psychology, as well as folk wisdom. However, unlike folk wisdom that is totally reliant on subjective interpretations and anecdotal observations, social psychology uses empirical studies and scientific methods in the study of social phenomena (Potter, 2012). Rather than using assumptions or guesses concerning the behavior of individuals in society, social psychologists devise and conduct experiments that aid in creating relationships between different factors and variables. In addition, while personality psychology is focused on individual thoughts, characteristics, and traits, social psychology tends to focus more on situations. Thus, it focuses its attention on the impact that group interactions and the social environment portend on behaviors and attitudes. Finally, it is also crucial to distinguish sociology and social psychology in order to determine the latter’s relevance to the real world. Although many similarities exist between the two areas of study, sociology is more focused on social influences and behavior on a broadly-defined level, especially with regards to its interest in cultures and institutions that influence individual and group social behavior (Potter, 2012). On the other hand, psychologists are focused on variables in various situations that impact on social behavior. Although sociology and psychology are both involved in the study of similar subjects, they tend to do so from different perspectives. In the real world, social psychology allows the merging of these different perspectives in research. Most of the topics studied under social psychology have a direct use in the real world. For example, the study of social cognition, which is apprehensive with the custom in which social information is processed, stored, and applied, is closely related to cognitive psychology (Potter, 2012). The latter field of research is largely focused on aspects of the schematic concept. Schemas involve the general ideas that man has about the general world, as well as how things operate and work, allowing for humans to function sans constantly interpreting all that is around them. Studying how man develops associations between schemas that are related plays a crucial role in understanding the social behavior and thought process of various populations. This could be important, for example, in studying crime and tackling its occurrence by seeking to understand the thought process of socially integrated criminals (Potter, 2012). Social psychology is also relevant in the real world because it allows for the study of attitudes and changes in attitudes, especially in a world that is going through profound social and economic changes (Lauer & Handel, 2009). Social psychology is interested in the development of attitudes, different components of attitudes, and how these change. By understanding the three important components of attitudes as described in social psychology; cognitive component, behavioral component, and effective component, social psychologists can advise government agencies, particularly the criminal justice system, about changes in behavior among specific parts of the population, as well as how these attitudes may change on the future and impact on society and governance. In the real world, social psychology will also enable the government and related agencies to understand the causes of aggression and violence. This is one of the fields of interest in social psychology, especially with regards to researching the factors that could cause aggression, such as media influences and social variables (Lauer & Handel, 2009). By considering the role of social learning in the growth of aggressive actions and behaviors, social psychology, can help government agencies to explain violent trends and how to tackle these trends by pinpointing their origin. Social psychology is also relevant in the study of anti-social behaviors in schools, such as bullying. This is covered by the fact that pro-social behavior is a critical area of study in this field. Pro-social behavior involves the study of those behaviors that involve cooperation and helping. Social psychologists are well placed to aid school administrations in tackling bullying, especially with regards to the role of bystanders in the vice (Lauer & Handel, 2009). Social psychology often considers the reasons why individuals will help others, as well as their reasons for refusing to cooperate or help. Much of the research in the bystander effect revolves around why fellow individuals will witness the bullying of their classmates or schoolmates and fail to intervene or call for help. By helping schools to understand the reasons for the bystander effect, the administration, could seek to change the actions of bystanders in controlling the prevalence of bullying through research to produce information on their reasons for not helping (Lauer & Handel, 2009). Similarly, social psychology research is crucial to helping governments and non-governmental organizations in tackling discrimination and prejudice. Because social psychologists are interested in the causes and origins of discriminatory and prejudicial behavior as part of social categorization, their research could prove crucial to understanding the development of prejudice (Lauer & Handel, 2009). In addition, it could also offer insights into why stereotypes remain entrenched despite evidence to the contrary, which will provide information that helps to tackle the root causes of these practices. Rather than, dealing with the effects of these social categorizations that have been the routes, followed by most agencies in tackling the issue. Tackling this issue requires the study of social and self-identity, which is best, tackled by social psychologists. This is because social psychology offers the best evidence for how people understand themselves and the manner in which their perceptions of self affect how they interact with others (Lauer & Handel, 2009). Because of their interest in learning additional information about how the social world and outer lives of individuals are influenced by their inner lives, social psychologists are able to account for the influence of self expression, self esteem, and self awareness. The applicability of social psychology in the real world as discussed means that social psychologists are best placed to tackle these issues. This is because the field of study is concerned with group behavior, which is one of the largest research fields for social psychologists, especially in Europe. Since there is an agreement within SP that groups behave in a different manner compared to individuals, it becomes easier for social psychologists to understand whether these behaviors will result in positive and beneficial or negative and detrimental outcomes than for other fields of study (Potter, 2012). Through its increased focus on group decision-making, leadership, group dynamics, group influence, cooperation, and conflicts, social psychology is best placed to lead intervention in the above-mentioned areas. In addition, the prevalence of social influence studies and the effect of social influence on decision making and behavior places social psychology in the best position to reveal the power of influence from society (Potter, 2012), which enables relevant institutions and agencies to help individuals resist this influence. This is especially so because social psychology covers the psychology of obedience, conformity, peer pressure, and persuasion, which are critical to understanding social influences. The Extent to which Social Psychology should be applied to Address Real Social Issues One of the main strengths shown by social psychology, which supports the argument that it should be appreciated in the real world, is that it uses real life situations to study human behavior. Since social psychology involves the study of interactions between humans, it is best studied where participants in real life situations are able to interact in the field experiment method or in simulated situations (Myers, 2012). Field experiments are carried out in situations that are in the real world. Normally, they have high ecological validity, while they also avoid demand characteristics because subjects are not aware of what is going on. In addition, simulated situations have a high experimental realism since subjects of the study still believe the situation is real, even though it is not high in the earlier stated ecological validity. Nevertheless, it is also imperative to note that field experiments do not have similar level of control as those found in lab experiments (Myers, 2012). In case social psychologists are to use lab experiments, it is essential for them not to generalize findings because subjects may not behave the same way in real life situations, in the real world. Another strength that supports the use of social psychology in addressing real social issues is that using a social approach contributes to understanding social behavior. Its applications are useful since they can explain problems plaguing the real world and even offer solutions based on research findings (Myers, 2012). For instance, it could be used in demonstrating how group breakdown can cause conditions that support tyranny, especially with regards to situational factors that result in social obedience and conformity. Nonetheless, it is also important to note that studies measuring social behavior could be particular to the period in which they were conducted (Myers, 2012). For instance, social conformity and obedience rates as researched in the 50s and 60s could be different to those currently present because of changing social influences. However, the extent to which social psychology can be applied in real life situations is limited by ethical issues. Studying social behavior sans any negative impact on the subjects is difficult, which has resulted in strict ethical guidelines for social psychologists. Today, any activities in social psychology research that do not protect subjects from emotional conflict and stress are not acceptable (McDougall, 2011). Still, practitioners cannot know from the outset whether some research studies will negatively impact on the subjects. This, therefore, limits these studies to those that can be monitored by independent psychologists, which, however, could ensure that large-scale studies in social psychology are ethical. The extent of applicability is also lessened, in relation to result generalization. While social psychology studies make generalizations about social behavior, some of the samples could be restricted (McDougall, 2011). This means that the results of social psychology studies must be applied in relation to the representative nature of the sample used. Conclusion The social approach to psychology is interested in the study of individuals within social contexts, such as among a wider society, institutions, friends, and family. It could also involve activity between groups or within a group. Social psychologists hold that behavior is influenced by implied, imagined, and actual presence of other people. One of the most pertinent issues that make social psychology relevant to solving real world issues is that the behavior of individuals in society is a direct result of the social context and their personality. This field of study is involved in the study of how the behaviors, feelings, and thoughts of people are impacted on by the implied, imagined, or actual presence of other people. Therefore, social psychology is in the best position to offer action advice about how to tackle social problems that result from the shaping of individual behavior by influences from the society. These include; discrimination, prejudice, bullying, violence, aggression, and civil conflict among others. However, the extent to which the results of studies into these social problems can be applied to the real world is limited by ethical and generalization issues. References Baron, R. A., & Branscombe, N. R. (2012). Social psychology. Boston: Pearson. McDougall, W. (2011). An Introduction to social psychology. Kitchener, Ont: Batoche. Myers, D. G. (2012). Exploring social psychology. New York: McGraw-Hill. Lauer, R. H., & Handel, W. H. (2009). Social psychology: The theory and application of symbolic interactionism. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Potter, J. (September 01, 2012). Re-reading Discourse and Social Psychology: Transforming social psychology. British Journal of Social Psychology, 51, 3, 436-455. Tuffin, K. (2013). Understanding critical social psychology. London: SAGE Publications. Read More