Social Psychology

A science which studies of how people's thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It uses an empirical method of investigation, and deals with all psychological variables that are measurable in a human being. The science typically explains human behavior as a result of the interaction of mental states and immediate social situations.

In general, social psychologists have a preference for laboratory-based, empirical findings with control groups. As such, the resulting theories tend to be specific and focused, rather than global and general.

Why ?

To develop concrete explanations for different aspects of human nature. Scientists desire to discover cause and effect relationships that explain the social interactions in the world around them.

They can explain persuasion and propaganda, gender issues and racial prejudice. also, experiments on obedience to authority were conducted. Newer topics include cognitive dissonance, bystander intervention, and aggression.

How ?

Social psychology is an empirical science that attempts to answer questions about human behavior by testing hypotheses, both in the laboratory and in the field. Careful attention to sampling, research design, and statistical analysis is important. Experimental methods involve the researcher altering a variable in the environment and measuring the effect on another variable. A valid experiment is controlled and uses random assignment. Correlational methods examine the statistical association between two naturally occurring variables. Observational methods are purely descriptive and include naturalistic observation, "contrived" observation, participant observation, and archival analysis. These are less common in social psychology but are sometimes used when first investigating a phenomenon.

Regardless of which method is used, it is important to evaluate the research hypothesis using the results, either confirming or rejecting the original prediction. Social psychologists use statistics and probability testing to judge their results. Replications are important, to ensure that the result is valid and not due to chance, or some feature of a particular sample. False positive conclusions, often resulting from the pressure to publish or the author's own confirmation bias, are a hazard in the field.

Research interests

• individual's psychology

• small group psychology

• influence, peer pressure. opinion & choice conformity

• opinion flow and dynamics

Conferences & Journals

• Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

• Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

• Science

Interesting Reading

Why readers, scientifically, are the best people to fall in love with? Lauren Martin, Life 2014

Test 1 - Who am I ? Cine sunt eu ?

Pe o foaie de hârtie vă rog să răspundeți la următoarele întrebări.

Nu vă notați numele, în schimb notați-vă sexul și vârsta împlinită.

1. Dați minim 20 de răspunsuri la întrebarea "Cine sunt eu?"

2. Identificați câteva elemente definitorii pentru o prietenie autentică.

3. În câteva propoziții sau cuvinte cheie răspundeți la următoarele:

• 1. "Ce crezi despre femei? Cum le-ai descrie în 5 cuvinte."

  2. "Ce crezi despre bărbați? Cum i-ai descrie în 5 cuvinte."

  3. "Ce s-ar întâmpla dacă am trăi într-o lume în care nu ar exista femei/ bărbați?"

4. Găsiți minim 5 caracteristici care să completeze propozițiile:

• 1. Masculinitatea presupune ...

  2. Feminitatea presupune...

5. Enumerați câteva asemănări între bărbați și femei.

6. Notați 5 caracteristici ale unei persoane mature si 5 ale unei persoane imature (indiferent de sex).

7. Care credeți că este relația vârstă - înțelepciune? Cum ați descrie o persoană înțeleaptă?

8. Realizați următorul test de măsurare a nivelului de stres: test. La final, treceți punctajul obținut pe hârtie.

Vă mulțumesc!

Results

Please check back after 22.05.2014 for statistics and interpretations of your tests.