HPS204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Positivism, Internal Validity, Discourse Analysis
HPS204 WEEK 1
Define the term ‘social psychology’ and have a sense of how it is similar to and different
from other disciplines;
Social psychology can be defined as the scientific investigation of how the thoughts,
feelings, and behaviours of individuals are influenced by actual, imagined, or implied
presence of others. Social psychology is a sub-discipline of general psychology. It also
concerns processes that occur in the human mind, however it also seeks to develop an
understanding of, and explain social behaviour. It is not as individualistic (looks at
combination of self and others, and looks at group dynamics). It is closely related to
cognitive psychology, economics individual psychology, social anthropology, sociology, and
sociolinguistics language communication.
Understand what it usually means when we say social psychology employs a ‘scientific
method’;
Social psychology employs a ‘scientific method’ in that it aims to develop general principles
about social psychological processes. Hunches based on background knowledge, personal
experience, and causal observation are formed, leading to theories about social behaviour.
Predications (hypotheses) are derived from the theories, and are then tested with empirical
research. Predictions are either confirmed, thus increasing confidence in the theory, or not
confirmed, thus reducing confidence in the theory. From here, the theory is either rejected,
or modified with a new hypothesis, and tested empirically again.
Appreciate the different theoretical approaches that can be adopted in social psychology;
A theory is a set of interrelated concepts and principles that explain a phenomenon, and a
metatheory is a set of interrelated concepts and principles concerning which theories or
type of theory are appropriate. Behaviourism theorises that the role of situational factors
and reinforcement/learning are crucial to social behaviour. Radical behaviourists believe
that behaviour can be explained and predicted in terms of reinforcement schedules. Neo-
behaviourism maintains that one needs to invoke unobservable intervening constructs (e.g.
beliefs, feelings, and motives), to make sense of behaviour. Cognitive theories are
explanations of behaviour in terms of the way people actively interpret and represent their
experiences, and then plan action. Evolutionary theories propose that ‘useful’ psychological
traits have been perpetuated through natural selection. Social neuroscience is the
exploration of brain activity associated with social cognition and social psychological
processes and phenomena. Collectivist theories focus on the way in which people are
socially constructed by their location in the matric of social categories and groups that make
up society. Personality theories attempt to explain behaviour in terms of enduring
personality attributes.
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Document Summary
Define the term social psychology" and have a sense of how it is similar to and different from other disciplines; Social psychology can be defined as the scientific investigation of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of individuals are influenced by actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. Social psychology is a sub-discipline of general psychology. It also concerns processes that occur in the human mind, however it also seeks to develop an understanding of, and explain social behaviour. It is not as individualistic (looks at combination of self and others, and looks at group dynamics). It is closely related to cognitive psychology, economics individual psychology, social anthropology, sociology, and sociolinguistics language communication. Understand what it usually means when we say social psychology employs a scientific method"; Social psychology employs a scientific method" in that it aims to develop general principles about social psychological processes.
