Content Summary One 2
Content Summary: Module One
Introduction
From birth, we all depend on others to meet our needs. Our families shape our
fundamental beliefs. Our siblings and/or cousins are our first friends. When we become school
age, we form new social constructs with our peers. These peers will often influence our decision
making but also serve as a pillar of social support. In our preteen and teen years, these friends
may influence us to drink or sneak out but will also be a source of solace.
Summary
Social Psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and
behavioral expression within his or her social environment (Kassin, et. al., 2021, p.6). Social
psychology differs from other social sciences in which it emphasizes the individual within his or
her social context. The social context of an individual can be present or implied (Kassin et. al.,
2021, p. 7). There is not a single founder credited for the field of social psychology, however;
Norman Triplett and Max Ringelmann made notable contributions through their research (Kassin
et. al., 2021, p. 10-11). McDougall, Ross, and Allport are credited for establishing social
psychology as a scientific field of discipline by emphasizing the need for experimentation and
the scientific method (Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 11). We look at morally reprehensible acts such as
massacres, genocides, and war crimes and wonder how anyone could support those heinous acts,
much less commit them. How could Hitler have amassed the followers that he did? Social
Psychologist aim to understand and explain the relationship between the social environment and
human behavior through research (Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 24).
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Social Influences
An individual’s social environment will influence his or her thoughts and actions. This is
evidenced in central themes such as conformity, prejudice, and obedience (Kassin et. al., 2021, p.
12). The role of interdependence in social psychology explains how individuals’ cognitions,
emotions, and behavioral expressions are reciprocally impacted within the shared social setting
which can be observed not only at a local level, but also at an international level (Rumble, A.C.,
2022, p. 250). First conceptualized by John Thibaut and Harold Kelley, the central themes of
interdependence theory are outcome matrices, comparison levels, dependence, and power
(Rumble, A.C., 2022, p. 252). The outcome matrices illustrate all of the alternative behavioral
options of two interconnected people, and the advantages and sacrifices related to each
behavioral option. The comparison levels are related to the value of the outcomes we believe we
deserve (Rumble, A. C., 2022, p. 253). Lastly, dependency and power are one of the main
concepts that explain how the more dependent an individual becomes on the other party
providing the desired reinforcements, the more power that party possesses in the relationship
(Rumble A.C., 2022, p. 254).
Scientific Study
Social psychologists aim to possess a better insight into our social worlds. They gain this
understanding through basic and applied research such as descriptive or correlation research
(Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 27). Regardless of the research design, there are ethical principles that all
researchers have a moral and legal obligation to uphold. Psychologists must adhere to the
American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
(2017). This code of ethics covers ethical issues, research practices, informed consent, and
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explicitly states that researchers are obligated to guard the welfare of all research participants
(Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 45). Two notable experiments raised ethical concerns.
The Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo demonstrated the
necessity for such codes to be enacted. Those who participated in Zimbardo’s experiment were
not protected. The “guards” quickly became abusive while the “prisoners” exhibited signs of
distress (Bartels, J. 2019). While Milgram’s obedience experiment offered significant
knowledge, he did so at the expense of the participants psychological health of the participants
who were unaware of the ones receiving the shocks were confederates (Burger, J.M., 2009).
Conclusion
In sum, human beings are intrinsically social creatures. We are each a product of our
individual social contexts. Social psychology studies the relationship between social influences
and an individual’s behavior (Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 6). Social psychologists strive to gain a
greater understanding and provide an explanation of the influence our social environments on
our behavior through empirically sound research (Kassin et. al., 2021, p. 24). The
interdependence theory provides insight into the interconnectedness of individuals at a local and
large-scale level and offers an explanation into social issues such as prejudice, conformity, and
obedience (Rumble, A.C., 2022, p. 250).
Content Summary One 5
References
Bartels, J. (2019). Revisiting the Stanford prison experiment, again: Examining demand
characteristics in the guard orientation.GThe Journal of Social Psychology,G159(6), 780–
790. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2019.1596058
Burger, J. M. (2009). Replicating Milgram: Would people still obey today?GAmerican
Psychologist,G64(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0010932
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. (2021).GSocial psychology (11th ed.).GCengage.
Rumble, A. C. (2011). Interdependence in social interaction. In D. Chadee (Ed.),GTheories in
social psychologyG(pp. 191–207). Wiley Blackwell.
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