1 | Introduction to Social Psychology 1

UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

1.0 Learning Outcomes

At the end of accomplishing this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the different representations and conceptualizations of the self from various
Philosophical perspectives
2. Examine and relate with the different influences, factors and forces that shape the
Philosophical Self
3. Compare and contrast how the self has been conceptualized by the different philosophers
from different fields and era.

1.1. Introduction

The science of social psychology investigates the ways other people affect our
thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is an exciting field of study because it is so familiar and
relevant to our day-to-day lives. Social psychologists study a wide range of topics that can
roughly be grouped into 5 categories: attraction, attitudes, peace & conflict, social influence,
and social cognition.

In this unit we will examine the field of social psychology and how it relates to
personality psychology and differs from sociology by clarifying the level of analysis and
differences in methods used. We will then embark upon a historical journey to see where the
field has come from and where it is going. Finally, you will examine professional societies
and journals as they relate to social psychology and share links to blogs and newsfeeds on
current research in this subfield.

You are expected to accomplish each activity embedded in this topic and work-out
Activity No. 1 for at the end of this learning packet. Deadline of submission will be on or
before Aug. 28, 2020.

1.2 Nature and Scope of Social Psychology

Social psychology encompasses social situational influence on

Let’s psychological phenomena, personal construction of those situations, and
begin! the mutual influence of the person/situation interaction. The scope is
largely defined by the limits of what is a “(social) situation”. This situation
could be considered the relative influence of real or imagined others. It

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includes those influences which include cultural products, community layout,

institutional climate, built spaces, discourses, etc.

1.2.1 Definition of Social Psychology

The word “social” comes from the Latin” socialis” which has roots that trace back as
far as linguistic theory, Sanskrit, in which the word “sacati” means “he follows or
accompanies.” “Sacati” is related to words in Greek and the Romance languages that have to
do with association, following, sharing, and similar concepts.
Gordon W. Allport long lasting definition of Social Psychology as a scientific study on
how the thought, feeling, and behavior of an individual are influenced by the actual,
imagined, or implied presence of others.
The term “implied presence” refers to the many activities the individual carries out
because of his/her membership, position, or role in a complex social context or group. Such
definition is appropriate to the study of social behavior that is, understanding and explaining
the ways with which interaction between/among individuals influences the ways they think,
feel and 486 behave.

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1.2.2 History of Social Psychology

Aristotle believed that humans were naturally sociable, a necessity which allows us to
live together (an individual centered approach), whilst Plato felt that the state controlled the
individual and encouraged social responsibility through social context (a socio-centered
approach).
Hegel (1770–1831) introduced the concept that society has inevitable links with the
development of the social mind. This led to the idea of a group mind, important in the study
of social psychology.
Lazarus & Steinthal wrote about Anglo-European influences in 1860.
“Volkerpsychologie” emerged, which focused on the idea of a collective mind. Therefore,
Wundt (1900–1920) encouraged the methodological study of language and its influence on
the social being.
The first notable book in English was published by McDougall in 1908 (An
Introduction to Social Psychology), which included chapters on emotion and sentiment,
morality, character and religion, quite different to those incorporated in the field today.
Allport’s work (1924) underpins current thinking to a greater degree, as he
acknowledged that social behavior results from interactions between people. He also took a
methodological approach, discussing actual research and emphasizing that the field was one
of a “science … which studies the behavior of the individual in so far as his behavior
stimulates other individuals, or is itself a reaction to this behavior” (1942: p. 12).
Murchison (1935) published phe first handbook on social psychology was published
by Murchison in 1935. Murphy & Murphy (1931/37) produced a book summarizing the
findings of 1,000 studies in social psychology. A text by Klineberg (1940) looked at the
interaction between social context and personality development by the 1950s a number of
texts were available on the subject.

1.2.3 Early Experiments

Triplett (1898) applied the experimental method to investigate the performance of

cyclists and schoolchildren on how the presence of others influences overall performance –
thus how individuals are affected and behave in the social context.
By 1935 the study of social norms had developed, looking at how individuals behave
according to the rules of society. This was conducted by Sherif (1935). Lewin et al. then began

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experimental research into leadership and group processes by 1939, looking at effective work
ethics under different styles of leadership.
Amongst some of the most famous work in social psychology is that on obedience
conducted by Milgram in his “electric shock” study, which looked at the role an authority
figure plays in shaping behavior. Similarly, Zimbardo’s prison simulation notably
demonstrated conformity to given roles in the social world. Thus the growth years of social
psychology occurred during the decades following the 1940s.

1.2.4 Allied Disciplines

Social psychology is a pure branch of

psychology or a sub discipline of general
psychology and sociology. It is concerned
with understanding and explaining human
behavior associated with psychological
processes within the individual’s thought,
feeling and action.
It investigates the psychological
processes individuals have in common with
one another that make them indispensable in
social influence.

Individual Psychology a discipline seeks to explain social behavior having developed a

comprehensive and highly influential theory of behavior.
Social Anthropology a discipline focuses on the total cultural pattern of group, tribal, or
exotic societies that exist largely in the countries.
Sociology a discipline provides general laws and theories about groups (societies), not
individuals. It focuses on groups, organizations, function, and change. The analysis is the
group as a whole rather than the individuals who comprise the group.
Sociolinguistics Language Communication a disciplines abuts sociolinguistics and the
study of language and communication. Language and communication facilities and
expresses person’s thoughts. It defines and mediates human experience.
Cognitive Psychology a discipline impacts social psychology to employ its methods (e.g.
assessment techniques) and concepts (e.g. memory, thinking, learning, or perception) to
explain an array of social behaviors thus cognitive psychology is in many ways the

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dominant force in contemporary social psychology. It covers almost all areas of

psychology.

1.2.5 Level of Analysis

Understanding social psychology can be explained via behavioral processes, causal

factors, interpersonal events, and results of interaction among individuals and groups. A
thorough analysis can be described in terms of personality psychology (individual behavior),
social psychology (interpersonal behavior), and sociology (group behavior).

1.5.1 Personality Psychology or Individual Behavior

Personality is given emphasis on the private internal functioning associated
with the similarities and differences between individuals on their characteristics, such
as aggression, helplessness, self-concept, attitudes, motives, values, beliefs, habits and
other traits.
1.5.2 Social Psychology or Interpersonal Behavior
Individual interaction within group is the main concern in social psychology.
Special attention is given on how a person thinks, feels, and behaves about other
people, is influenced between person and others.
1.5.3 Sociology or Group
Emphasis is given to the structure and functioning of groups, from small group
(e.g., team sports) to large group (e.g., society). Social aggregates (e.g., societies,
cultures, nations, groups, associations, or organizations) may have a significant effect
on individuals in the form of interpersonal events.

1.2.6 Social Psychological Research Methods

Social Psychology employs the scientific method to study social behavior. Social
psychologists are dependent on research data based on factual information. Research is
systematic, controlled empirical, and critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about
the presumed relations among natural phenomena. Social psychologists are dependent on
research data. Social psychological research involves both basic research and applied
research.
Social psychologists propose theories that organize their observations and imply
testable hypotheses and practical predictions. To test a hypothesis, social psychologists may

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do research that predicts behavior using correlational studies, often conducted in natural
settings. They may seek to explain behavior by conducting experiments that manipulate one
or more factors under controlled conditions. Then they may explore ways to apply their
findings to improve people’s everyday lives.
Forming and Testing Hypotheses
A theory is an integrated set of
principles that explain and predict observed
events. Theories are a scientific shorthand.
Scientist, facts and theories are apples and
oranges. Facts are agreed-upon statements
about what we observe. Theories are ideas
that summarize and explain facts. It does
not only summarizes but also imply testable
predictions, called hypotheses
Basic research means research is
designed to increase knowledge on social
behavior. On the other hand, applied
research is designed to increase the
understanding of and solutions to real-
world problems by using current social
psychological knowledge. Social psychologists apply such social psychological knowledge
to promote human welfare.

Research involves the importance of theories and formulation of hypotheses.

Theories are a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and
propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among
variables through empirical investigations with the purpose of explaining and predicting
the phenomena.
Hypotheses are formally stated statements/speculations or empirically testable
predictions. Social psychologists then use various methods to achieve each of these goals.
They also employ a variety of research methods geared toward theory testing and testing
hypothesis.

1.2.6.1 Experimental Research. A laboratory work and a highly formalized method devised
by the researcher- experimenter with which hypotheses are tested under a precise controlled
condition. This method identifies cause-effect relationship.

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1.2.6.2 Correlational Research. A method of relationship between two variables with

which one variable systematically increases or decreases, the other variable will
systematically alter as well either increase or decrease.

1.2.6.3 Case Study or Case History. A method that allows an in- depth analysis of a single
case (either a person or a group).

1.2.6.4 Archival Research. A method involving the assembly of data or reports of data
collected by others, usually archives or records kept by institutions, libraries and
government agencies.

1.2.6.5 Survey Research. A method that seeks an opinion poll may involve an interviews,
questionnaires, or a combination of the two, data are gathered from the
representative sample of the larger population.

1.2. 7. Steps in the Process of Social Psychological Research

Step 1: Selecting a research topic.

Step 2: Searching the research literature.

Step 3: Formulating hypotheses.

Step 4: Selecting a research method.

Step 5: Collecting the data.

Step 6: Analyzing the data.

Step 7: Reporting the results.

1.2.8 Ethics in Research

Ethics refers to the correct rules of conduct necessary when

carrying out research. We have a moral responsibility to
protect research participants from harm.

The purpose of these codes of conduct is to protect research

participants, the reputation of psychology, and psychologists
themselves.

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Informed Consent. A procedure by which people freely choose to participate in a study

only after they are told about the activities they will perform.
Deception. A research technique that provides false information to persons participating
in a study, so be truthful whenever possible.
Right to Decline. Allow participants the right to decline to be a part of the study or to
discontinue their participation at any point without this decision resulting in any negative
consequences (e.g., not receiving full payment for their participation).
Participants Protection. Protect participants from both physical and psychological harm.
Confidentiality. Insure that any information provided by individual participants is
strictly confidential.
Debriefing. A procedure at the conclusion of a research session in which

1.3 References
Apruebo, Roxel. (2009). Social psychology.Educational Publishing House, Inc.
Macapagal, M.J., Ofreneo, M.P., Montiel, C.J. & Nolasco, J.M. (2017). Social psychology in the
Philippine context. Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Delamater, J. (2011). Social psychology (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Franzoi, S. L. (2010). Social psychology. Brown and Benchmark Publishers, Inc.
Watson, D. L., deBortali-Tregerthan, G., & Frank, J. (2010). Social psychology: science and
application. Scott, Foresman, and Company.
Psychology Research Ethics. (2015). Simply psychology.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/Ethics.html

1.4 Acknowledgment
The images, tables, figures and information contained in this module were taken from
the references cited above.

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Activity No. 1: Introduction to Social Psychology Date: _______________

Name: _______________________________________ Course, Year & Section: _____________

1. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people ___________________________,

___________________________, and ___________________________ one another.
A. understand, feel about, act toward B. perceive, think about, act toward
C. think about, influence, relate to D. observe, influence, conflict with

2. In comparison to the sociologist, the social psychologist

A. is more likely to study the social causes of behavior
B. is more likely to study individuals than groups
C. gives less attention to our internal functioning
D. relies more heavily on correlational research

3. According to the text, which word best describes the relationship between different
disciplines that study behavior?
A. supplementary B. contradictory
C. complementary D. competing

1. Most social-psychological research is conducted either in the field or in the

______________________ and is either correlational or ________________________.
A. clinic; survey B. laboratory; experimental
C. laboratory; survey D. clinic; experimental

5. The great strength of _____________________ is that it tends to occur in real-world settings

where it can examine questions regarding important factors like race, sex, and social status.
A. correlational research B. field experimentation
C. laboratory experimentation D. quasi-experimentation

6. To determine whether changing one variable (like education) will produce changes in
another (like income), we need to conduct _____________________ research.
A. survey B. correlational C. experimental D. statistical

7. Random assignment is necessary to

A. insure mundane realism
B. insure informed consent
C. rule out pre-existing differences between subjects in different experimental conditions
D. avoid the naturalistic fallacy

8. Which of the following is false according to the text?

A. experimenters standardize their instructions to subjects to minimize demand
characteristics

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0
B. major psychological organizations have developed a number of ethical principles to guide
investigators
C. informed consent is an important ethical principle to be followed in conducting research
D. deception should never be used in conducting research

9. Hypotheses are best characterized as

A. axioms B. principles C. predictions D. conclusions

10. Which of the following is the experiment conducted to test compliance and obedience?
A. Milgram’s electric shock study B. Zimbardo’s prison simulation
C. Lewin’s experimental research D. Triplett’s experimental method

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