Introduction to Social Psychology.html

Introduction to Social Psychology

What is Social Psychology?

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior.  Social psychology expands on this definition of psychology to examine what influences an individual’s mind and behavior.

 While studying social psychology, the first question arising in your mind will be, "Is social psychology just the study of psychology (the study of the mind and behavior) combined with sociology (the study of human society and the dynamics of social phenomena)?" The answer to this question is that social psychology neither focuses entirely on an individual's behavior nor focuses just on understanding society as a whole. Social psychology is the study of how we think, influence, and relate to one another (Myers, 2008).

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We are social beings. The majority of us are part of a series of expanding relationships, ranging from friends and families to groups and organizations. The influences of others alter our perceptions of ourselves, as well as influence our overall behavior. Therefore, we tend to speak and think in words learned from others. Does this mean our relationships shape our beliefs and attitudes, or do our belief system and our attitudes shape our relationships?

We enter new relationships all the time and bring into them our preconceived notions and mindsets, either cultivating or terminating the relationships. The old adage "Opposites attract each other" is not true in the case of social psychology. We, as social beings, tend to seek out individuals and groups fitting our self-perceptions and attitudes. However, this does not mean we never change. In spite of different attitudes and beliefs, we tend to adapt ourselves to strengthen our relationships. For example, when a couple gets married, both partners alter their beliefs and attitudes to fit into the relationship.

Myers, D. (2008). Social psychology (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.