SOC 104 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Santa Barbara City College, Domestic Violence, Group Dynamics
Document Summary
Social psychology is often confused with folk wisdom, the psychology of personality, and sociology. Unlike folk wisdom, which is founded on anecdotal observations and subjective interpretation, social psychology uses scientific methods and social phenomenon empirical research. Scientists are not just making observations or conclusions about how people conduct themselves; they are designing and conducting experiments that help point out relationships between different variables. While the psychology of personality focuses on individual traits, behaviors and emotions, the focus of social psychology is on circumstance. The effect that the social environment and group dynamics have on attitudes and behaviors is of interest to social psychologists. Finally, the distinction between social psychology and sociology is significant. Although there are many similarities between the two, sociology tends to. Sociologists are interested in the institutions and traditions that influence how people take a very broad-based view of social actions and causes. conduct themselves. While researchers concentrate on interpersonal factors influencing social behavior.
