• Introduction

Social psychology studies how human behavior, thoughts, and emotions are influenced by social environments and interactions. It bridges individual psychology and the broader sociological structures, focusing on the dynamic interplay between individuals and society. It seeks to understand how societal norms, social contexts, and interpersonal relationships shape human actions.

• What is Social Psychology?

Definition:
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others (Gordon Allport, 1954).

➥ Key Features:

• Actual presence: Behavior influenced by people physically present.
• Imagined presence: Behavior shaped by the thought of how others might perceive or judge us.
• Implied presence: Influence through societal norms or cultural expectations, e.g., not littering even when no one is watching.

➥ Core Tenet:

Human behavior results from the interplay between individual personality traits and situational factors.

➥ Fields of Study:

• Covert processes like thoughts and feelings.
• Overt behaviors influenced by societal norms.

➥ Divisions of Study:

• Psychological Social Psychology: Focuses on internal psychological processes.
• Sociological Social Psychology: Emphasizes social structures like caste, class, and gender.

• Scope of Social Psychology

Social psychology covers individual, interpersonal, and group processes.

1. Individual Processes:
   Social cognition, attitudes, liking, and loving.
   Impression formation and attribution of behaviors.
   
2. Group Processes:
   Group dynamics, social loafing, groupthink, and risky shifts.
   
3. Intergroup Relations:
   Topics like prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination, and genocide.
   
4. Discursive and Ideological Factors:
   European social psychology emphasizes how ideologies shape behavior.

• Relationship of Social Psychology with Neighbouring Disciplines

Social psychology overlaps with and diverges from related fields:

1. General Psychology:
   Focuses on individual mental processes.
   Social psychology examines how social socil contexts influence individuals.
   
2. Sociology:
   Sociology studies large social categories like caste and religion.
   Social psychology studies how individuals are influenced by these categories.
   
3. Anthropology:
   Anthropology analyzes entire cultures and communities.
   Social psychology focuses on individuals within these contexts.
   
4. Sociolinguistics:
   Sociolinguistics studies language’s influence on society.
   Social psychology examines how society influences thought, behavior, and language.

• Levels of Analysis

Levels of analysis refer to the conceptual frameworks used to study human behavior.

1. Individual Level:
   Studies traits, motives, and attitudes.
   E.g., personality’s role in shaping behavior.
   
2. Interpersonal Level:
   Examines two-person interactions.
   Topics: attraction, communication, and influence.
   
3. Group Level:
   Explores group norms, decision-making, and communication networks.
   Topics: conformity, obedience, prejudice.
   
4. Cultural Level:
   Focuses on cultural norms, rules, and expectations.
   Highlights differences in behavior across cultures.
   

Important Name: Doise (1986) proposed integrating different levels of analysis for comprehensive understanding.

• Brief History of Social Psychology

1. Pre-19th Century:
   ◦ Rooted in Hegelian philosophy (collective mind).
   ◦ 1860: Founding of Völkerpsychologie journal to study collective minds.
   
2. Early Experiments:
   ◦ 1898: Norman Triplett conducted the first social psychology experiment, studying how bicyclists raced faster in groups (social facilitation).
   
3. 20th Century:
   ◦ 1908: William McDougall and E.A. Ross published foundational textbooks.
   ◦ 1936: Muzafer Sherif studied how group norms influence perception.
   ◦ 1954: Leon Festinger introduced Cognitive Dissonance Theory.
   ◦ 1968: Bibb Latané and John Darley proposed the Bystander Intervention Model.
   
4. Modern Developments:
   ◦ Increased focus on cognitive processes and diversity.

Important Names:

• Norman Triplett: First experiment (1898).
• Kurt Lewin: Father of applied social psychology.

• Social Psychology in India

1. Ancient Roots:
   ◦ Indian social thought based on Dharma (moral duty).
   ◦ No distinction between psychology, philosophy, and religion.
   
2. Colonial Period:
   ◦ 1928: N.N. Sengupta founded the first psychology department at Calcutta University.
   ◦ Psychology research was marginalized compared to sociology and anthropology.
   
3. Post-Independence:
   ◦ Original research on caste, intergroup relations, and indigenous psychology.
   ◦ Scholars like J.B.P. Sinha critiqued Eurocentric theories.
   

Important Name: N.N. Sengupta published the first book on social psychology in India (1928).

• Methods of Research in Social Psychology

1. Experimental Research:
   ◦ Manipulates independent variables to study cause-and-effect relationships.
   ◦ E.g., Milgram’s obedience study.
   
2. Non-Experimental Research:
   ◦ Correlational research: Studies naturally occurring relationships.
   ◦ Case studies and archival research: In-depth analysis of specific phenomena.
   ◦ Surveys: Collect data from large samples using questionnaires.
   
3. Field Experiments:
   ◦ Conducted in natural settings for higher ecological validity.
   

• Ethical Considerations

1. Principles of Ethics:
   ◦ Beneficence: Research must benefit participants.
   ◦ Informed Consent: Participants must know what the study entails.
   ◦ Debriefing: Researchers explain the study post-participation.
   
2. Ethical Guidelines:
   ◦ Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) monitor research proposals to avoid harm.

• Current Trends

1. Prejudice and Stereotyping:
   ◦ Focus on implicit biases (e.g., Project Implicit by Harvard).
   
2. Culture and Social Behavior:
   ◦ Cross-cultural studies emphasize differences in self-concepts.
   ◦ E.g., Markus & Kitayama’s research on independent vs. interdependent selves.
   
3. Positive Social Psychology:
   ◦ Examines the role of sociocultural factors in well-being.
   ◦ E.g., Fredrickson’s (2004) Broaden-and-Build Theory.
   

• Conclusion

Social psychology explores the interplay between individual behavior and societal influences. It uses both experimental and non-experimental methods while adhering to ethical standards. Its diverse scope covers individual, interpersonal, group, and cultural levels of analysis.

★ Important names and dates

• 1898: Norman Triplett’s first social psychology experiment.
• 1928: N.N. Sengupta established the first psychology department in India.
• 1954: Gordon Allport’s definition of social psychology.
• 1968: Bibb Latané and John Darley’s Bystander Model.
• 1986: Doise’s levels of analysis theory.