The scientific study of how individuals think. Feel, and behave toward other people and how individuals thoughts, feelings, & behaviours are affected by other people (Brehm, Kassin, & Fein 2002 p5).

The scientific investigation of how the thoughts feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined and implied presence of others (Hogg & Vaughan 2005 p4).

Definition of Social Psychology

Social psychology of helping behaviour

On 13 March 1964 Catherine Genovese (28), bar manager, arrived home at about 3:15 a.m. She lived in a block of flats in Kew Gardens (New York) where she parked her car some 100 feet from her apartment. A stranger (Winston Moseley) intercepted & stabbed her for no known reason other than that Moseley was a necrophiliac.

Catherine Genovese (Kitty)

• New York Times story (27 March 1964)

• For about 1/2 hour 38 law abiding citizens watched the murder of Kitty Genovese without phoning the police or coming to her aid.

• Why did so many people fail to help?Kitty (28 at the time)

Social & cognitive processes

Ways in which our emotions influence our thinking

Ways in which our motives justify our means

Ways in which significant others, e.g. family, society, influence our attitudes, values and beliefs.

Ways in which our perceptions influence our reality

Cognitive processes

Cognitive processes

8 Principles of Social Behaviour

Two fundamental principles:

People construct their own reality

People are influenced & influence others

Three motivational principles:

Strive for mastery Strive for connectedness Value “me & mine”

Three processing principles:

Conservatism Accessibility Superficiality Vs

Depth

Recommended Reading

Brehm, S.S., Kassin, S., M., & Fein, S (2002) Social Psychology. Houghton Mifflin: London (chapter 1)

Hogg, M., & Vaughan, G. (2005) Social Psychology (4th edition) Prentice-Hall: London (chapter 1)