Social Psychology in Daily Life: Understanding Human Behavior

Social psychology is a branch of psychology that studies all aspects of our behavior with and toward others, our feelings and thoughts about them, and the relationships we develop with them. Baron and Branscombe (2012) define social psychology as “the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior, feelings, and thought in social situations.” Another way to describe it is that social psychology investigates how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we live—by other people or our thoughts about them (e.g., imagining how they might react to actions we might perform).

Social Psychology as a Scientific Discipline

Baron and Branscombe (2012) emphasize the core values that all scientific fields must adopt. These include:

1. Accuracy: A commitment to gathering and evaluating information about the world (including social behavior and thought) in as careful, precise, and error-free a manner as possible.
2. Objectivity: A commitment to obtaining and evaluating such information in a manner that is as free from bias as humanly possible.
3. Skepticism: A commitment to accepting findings as accurate only when they have been repeatedly verified.
4. Open-mindedness: A willingness to change one’s views—even strongly held ones—if existing evidence suggests they are inaccurate.

Social psychology, as a field, is deeply committed to these values and applies them in its efforts to understand social behavior and thought, making it a scientifically oriented discipline.

Applications of Social Psychology in Daily Life – Read More

1. Social Cognition:
   This involves how we interpret, analyze, remember, and use information about the social world. We often use simple rules, like the representativeness heuristic, for making quick decisions. For instance, if we judge our neighbor’s occupation based on traits they share with people in specific professions, we rely on this heuristic.
2. Social Identity:
   Social psychology examines how our behavior is influenced by our identification with specific groups, such as family, friends, or coworkers. Group affiliations often shape our self-concept and lead to in-group bias (favoring members of our group) and out-group prejudice (skepticism or hostility toward outsiders). This is evident in workplace teams or cultural, political, and sports rivalries.
3. Attribution Theory:
   Attribution theory explores how we explain our own and others’ actions, attributing them to either external factors (e.g., traffic) or internal traits (e.g., laziness). For instance, when someone is late, we might interpret their behavior differently based on our assumptions, influencing how we interact with them.
4. Social Influence:
   Social psychologists study how persuasion impacts behavior. This is evident in advertising, political campaigns, and social media. For example, teachers may use their authority to influence students’ learning, or salespeople may use persuasive techniques to encourage purchases.
5. Prejudice and Stereotyping:
   Prejudices and stereotypes, often based on social group, origin, or appearance, can lead to unfair treatment. These biases affect hiring decisions, social interactions, and even unconscious behaviors. Addressing these issues fosters justice and empathy in interpersonal relationships.
6. Prosocial Behavior:
   Prosocial behaviors, like helping others, are influenced by factors such as perceived need, personal values, and social norms. For example, the bystander effect shows that people are less likely to help in emergencies when others are present, assuming someone else will act. Everyday acts of kindness, such as volunteering or holding a door open, reflect prosocial behavior.
7. Cognitive Dissonance:
   Cognitive dissonance arises when our beliefs, attitudes, or actions conflict, causing discomfort. To reduce this discomfort, we may change our beliefs or justify our behavior. For instance, someone who values sustainability but drives a gas-guzzling car might rationalize their choice by emphasizing its practicality or downplaying their environmental impact.