Principles of Social Psychology
Principles of Social Psychology
PSY 301
October 14, 2012
Principles of Social Psychology
Social psychology is the understanding of an individual’s behavior in a social context. It is the scientific field that focuses on the nature and causes of that individual’s behavior in social situations. It looks at the human behavior that has been influenced by others and in the social context with which it occurred. Social psychology pays attention to how feelings, thoughts, beliefs, intentions, and goals are constructed and how these factors influence our behavior and interactions with others. This paper will examine the principles of social psychology and help us to understand how these factors lead us to behave a certain way in the presence others (McCleod, 2007).
Discovering the Self How do we perceive ourselves and our interactions with others? Knowing how we view ourselves and other people is necessary in being able to understand how people behave in social situations. From a psychological point of view, there are two components when we talk about social situations. The first component is the way we view ourselves and our beliefs. It is important to understand how we act in social situations. The second component is how we perceive and form opinions about those around us (Saylor.org, n.d.). Who am I? Self-concept is what you know about yourself. It is your overall mental understanding of who you are. It is formed through many different viewpoints. The main way it is formed is through your own behavior. A person may alter their self-concept around different actions they take. An example might be if you have just helped an elderly person with their grocery bags, you may think of yourself as a kind and helpful person. Another example could be that you saw the elderly person struggling with their groceries and you did not step in to help. Your perception of yourself has now
PSY 301
October 14, 2012
Principles of Social Psychology
Social psychology is the understanding of an individual’s behavior in a social context. It is the scientific field that focuses on the nature and causes of that individual’s behavior in social situations. It looks at the human behavior that has been influenced by others and in the social context with which it occurred. Social psychology pays attention to how feelings, thoughts, beliefs, intentions, and goals are constructed and how these factors influence our behavior and interactions with others. This paper will examine the principles of social psychology and help us to understand how these factors lead us to behave a certain way in the presence others (McCleod, 2007).
Discovering the Self How do we perceive ourselves and our interactions with others? Knowing how we view ourselves and other people is necessary in being able to understand how people behave in social situations. From a psychological point of view, there are two components when we talk about social situations. The first component is the way we view ourselves and our beliefs. It is important to understand how we act in social situations. The second component is how we perceive and form opinions about those around us (Saylor.org, n.d.). Who am I? Self-concept is what you know about yourself. It is your overall mental understanding of who you are. It is formed through many different viewpoints. The main way it is formed is through your own behavior. A person may alter their self-concept around different actions they take. An example might be if you have just helped an elderly person with their grocery bags, you may think of yourself as a kind and helpful person. Another example could be that you saw the elderly person struggling with their groceries and you did not step in to help. Your perception of yourself has now
References: Catley, Michael. (Sept. 9, 2009). Suite 101. The Self-Developing the Self Concept. Retrieved from: http://suite101.com/article/the-self-developing-the-selfconcept-a146764 Feenstra, J. (2011). Introduction to social psychology. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. McCleod, S. (2007). Simply Psychology. Social Psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.simplypsychology.org/social-psychology.html McMillan, A. (n.d.). Reference for Business. Group Dynamics. Retrieved from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Gr-Int/Group-Dynamics.html Saylor.org. (n.d.). Social Psychology. Retrieved from: http://www.saylor.org/courses/psych301/