PSYC 3100 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Current Lecture I. What is Social PsychologyA. Definition of Social PsychologyII. Implicit A. Distinction among three responses or outcomes III. Situation VS. Disposition A. Situation B. Disposition IV. Lewinian View: People are like Rolling RocksV. A Little History VI. Controversies A. Situation vs. Disposition B. Laboratory vs. Field Research C. Cold Cognitive Processes vs. Warm Feeling Processes D. Conscious vs. Non-Conscious Processes VII. Social PerceptionCurrent Lecture I. What is Social PsychologySocial Psychology is the study of how we think about, feel about, and behave toward others and how others affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Social psychology applies the scientific method of systematic observation, description, and measurement to the study of the human condition. It typically focuses on the psychology of the individual. Social psychologists sometimes examine nonsocial factors that affect people’s thoughts, emotions, motives, and actions. II. Implicit - Distinction among three responses or outcomes -Thoughts -Feelings -Actions Thoughts are viewed as “cold” and thought of as cognition. Cognitive is our thinking process and the example used in class was the computer metaphor. Cognition does not involve warmth or feelings. Feelings are viewed as “warm” and contrast with thoughts on the cold/warm dimension. Feelings are motivational and emotional processes. Emotions are a unique These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.set of sensations. Example: difference between fear and anger. Emotions vary in character-some feelings are more subtle, others more powerful. Actions refers to our behaviors. We take our thoughts and feelings and move them forward into actions. Some theories focus on cold (cognitive) processes and others focus on warm (motivational and emotional) ones. Theories represent explanations on how processes work. They are the core of science and not just people’s views. Theories should have significant measure of imperial support and they focus on these three outcomes: thoughts, feelings, and actions. Most theorists assume that thoughts and feelings are linked to actions. III. Situation vs. Disposition - Situation is considered outside of the person. For example, a student getting an “A” on a test, must mean that the test is very easy. The instructor must have made the test too easy and the outcome would be to make the test harder. - Disposition is considered inside of the person, a person’s effort or ability. Using the sameexample of the student receiving an “A” on the test, the student must be very smart. We would focus more on the student’s capacity and consider that the student must have tried really hard on the test. Social psychologists have traditionally focused on situational determinants of behavior. Some have defined social psychology in terms of determinants- separating social psychologists from personality psychologists. See references to “social-personality.” Social psychology is more how people behave within social situations. Kurt Lewin is considered one of the founding fathers of Social Psychology. He thought in terms of situational and dispositional forces in social psychology. IV. Lewinian view: People are like Rolling Rocks At birth (i.e. the top of the mountain) people are largely the same, but not identical. Birth differences alone can account for some differences in later “behavior” (bouncing, speed of descent, etc.) but not all such differences. People (rocks) descend along different life (mountain) paths that involve different types of “terrain” (e.g. bumpy, steep). These paths also account for differences in behavior. For example, different people can be born into predisposition to alcoholism, emotional responses, etc., therefore, people will “go down the mountain” in different paths. Also, aperson born into a wealthy family will go down a different path than someone who was born into a family without any parents. The actions of the individuals reflect internal andtheir experiences growing up. We have to be careful how we interpret other people’s behavior because of internal and external experiences. V. A Little History Social Psychology was established around the beginning of the 20th century. American psychologist Norman Triplett and French agricultural engineer Max Ringelmann were also credited to founding Social Psychology.-Study of social influence on behavior-Experienced growth during the 30s, 40s, and 50s, chiefly due to the influence of Europeans who came to the US during the 30s. A major growth occurred during WWII where Adolf Hitler helped shape social psychology while causing the most dramatic impact on social psychology. Social Psychology has flourished ever since, showing specialexpansion during the 80s and 90s. CNN and technology, such as the internet, has been a factor in flourishing social psychology (according to our professor.) The world communityis more willing to participate with the improvement of technology. We are now able to collaborate with others from overseas just as easily as we are able to communicate with people from the same are we are in. VI. Controversies A. Situation vs. Dispostion B. Laboratory vs. Field Research - Lab studies-go to lab to conduct studies - Field research- go out into the world, out of lab, and conduct research. Example: Medical center with real patients, studying people’s behavior in a mall. In a lab there is better control over the variables and you are able to draw legitimate conclusions. In field research, it is harder to draw conclusions without the control, but field is based on real life so the external validity is greater-real world behavior. Both lab studies and field research are right. Lab studies have greater internal validity but suffer external limitations. Field research has greater external validity but it suffers internal limitations. The solution is to combine these and work together! You should start in lab and retrieve data and then do relevant studies in the real world. You will build a stronger case by working together and obtain your goal of establishing and applying knowledge faster. C. “Cold” Cognitive Processes vs. “Warm” Feeling Processes- Human behavior is best understood through cognitive processes and affective is