Analyze the key differences between the views of experimental, humanistic/experimental and critical social psychologists. Which of these views do you find most convincing and why?
To answer this question the three different viewpoints will be briefly summarized then the main differences between them will be outlined and analyzed. Once this has been achieved then the most convincing viewpoint wills he highlighted and the reasons why it is thought to be the best will be addressed. Ultimately a short summary of the key findings of the essay will be repeated and a conclusion drawn.
The main points of experimental social psychology are that social behavior can not only be described but can be put into measurable terms (McGhee P. 2002 P.7) so they can be evaluated and that behavior is attributable to internal and external stimuli, whether those stimuli are based in the past present or future. Also that commonly this behavior is regular (McGhee P. 2002 P.7). Experimental social psychology suggests that the links between the stimuli and response can be determined through rigors empirical experimentation (McGhee P. 2002 P.7). It qualifies that not all queries can be tested and that people are not predictable. Experimental social psychologists therefore believe that as their approach is scientific and is the most reliable method for understanding social behavior. It seems that experimental social psychologists hold no more importance on external or internal factors and believe that both have a part to play in determining behavior (McGhee P. 2002 P.7).
The main views of the humanistic/experimental social psychologist are that the basis of social psychology should be in the lived personal experiences of individuals, ...
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... factors when formulating theories to experiment on, they pin their beliefs on most factors and behaviors being ultimately measurable. Because experimental social psychology takes both internal and external factors as being important it seems to be the most convincing argument.
References:
McGhee P. (2002) cited in Wetherell, M. McGhee, P. and Stevens, R. (2002) "Defining Social Psychology" in Sapsford, R. (Ed) "Issues for social psychology" Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Stevens, R. (2002) cited in Wetherell, M. McGhee, P. and Stevens, R. (2002) "Defining Social Psychology" in Sapsford, R. (Ed) "Issues for social psychology" Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Wetherell, M. cited in Wetherell, M. McGhee, P. and Stevens, R. (2002) "Defining Social Psychology" in Sapsford, R. (Ed) "Issues for social psychology" Milton Keynes, The Open University.
Gross, R (2010). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. 6th ed. London: Hodder Education. p188.
Social psychology is an empirical science that studies how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. This field focuses on how individuals view and affect one another. Social psychology also produces the idea of construals which represent how a person perceives, comprehends or interprets the environment. Construals introduce the idea that people want to make themselves look good to others and they want to be seen as right. It is also said that the social setting in which people interact impacts behavior, which brings up the idea of behaviorism. Behaviorism is the idea that behavior is a function of the person and the environment.
Passer, M., Smith, R., Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., & Vliek, M. (2009). Psychology; Science of Mind and Behaviour. (European Edition). New York.
Myers, David G. “Chapter 14: Social Psychology.” Psychology. 10th ed. New York, NY US: Worth
Foui, D. R. (2014, March 1). Social Psychology in Sociological Perspective. Retrieved April 3, 2014, from Unit 9 "The Social Construction of Madness: In Defence of Self": https://universityofmanitoba.desire2learn.com/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?tId=389777&ou=103100
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2010). Social psychology with study guide. (8th ed.). Mason: Cengage Learning.
Hergenhahn, B. R. (2009). An introduction to the history of psychology (6th ed., p. 224,
This observation journal will show different social psychology topics and real-life examples. This is to help understand and show the knowledge gained during this course. “Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in a social context (Fein S., Kassin S., Markus H. 2016, p. 6).” Social psychology studies people during social situations such as parties, relationships, school, work and more.
Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009). An Introduction to the History of Psychology. (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing.
Hergenhahn, B.R. (2009). Social and Theoretical Psychology: Conceptual and Historical Issues 1. An introduction to the History of Psychology. 1 (1), p1-28.
The study of history enables a society to understand the present better, prevent one from thinking the past is always better, and aids in the understanding of human nature. Psychology is an ever changing and evolutionary field. Recent years have presented numerous changes and increasing interest by many individuals, which have been inspired to help enhance the growth of modern psychology (Woodworth, 1918, p. 1). The use of the certain tools that have been deemed to be reliable in the fields of biology and physical sciences have been implemented in modern psychology to aid in the fields' growth to take on an identity of its own (Schultz & Schultz, 2004, p. 2). This paper will discuss the personalistic and naturalistic theory and how the two fields relate to zeitgeist.
Hergenhahn, B. R. (2008). An introduction to the history of psychology (6th ed). Belmont: Wadsworth
Social psychology is all about influence. It’s the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by other people. Social psychologists study social influence by different means of research methods - the observational method, correlational method, and experimental method. These methods are crucial for researchers because they each serve a different purpose, and differ in validity. Each method holds strengths and weakness and is used to explore different areas of behaviors.
Chapman, A. J., Conroy, W., and Sheehy, N. (1997) Biographical Dictionary of Psychology: London & New York: Routledge.
Myers, D.G. (2010). Social Development . In D. Kasowitz ( Ed.) , Psychology (p. 200-201).