PSY 102 Lecture Notes - Research On The Effects Of Violence In Mass Media, Blood Sugar, In-Group Favoritism
Document Summary
Scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in a social context: relies on the scientific method, focuses on cognition, emotion, and behavior. Psychology of the individual (as opposed to anthropology culture and sociology group) Social context: emphasis is on the social nature of individuals. Other people do not have to be real or present. Ex: even when you"re alone, the things you do are shaped by other people (getting ready in morning: deodorant, blue jeans, etc. ) Unlike common sense, social psychology uses the scientific method to put its theories to the test. Scientific method (textbook: a way of answering questions (other than observing and concluding) Correlational research (textbook: detecting natural associations among variables, does not imply causation. Example: # of electrical appliances correlates with usage of birth control. Explanation: wealthier people can afford both electrical appliances and birth control. Example: purchase of more books in home correlates with kids doing better in school.
