Class: (MLT,OTT,RIT,ENG – 1st Semester)
Social Psychology
Lecture No. 01
Dated: 29 November, 2020
Time: 9:50am
Course Instructor: Zain Haider
Objectives
• To understand, organize, analyze and interpret the basic conceptual framework of
social psychology by applying it in their daily lives and work settings in a visible
fashion.
• To develop an increased knowledge of the key concepts, terminology and language
used within the field of social psychology.
Course Contents
1. Introduction to Social Psychology 2. Social Perception
3. Socialization 4. Attitudes
5. Persuasion 6. Prejudice
7. Aggression 8. Social Relations
Books
Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2016). Social Psychology (10th edition). Cengage
Learning.
What is Social Psychology?
“Man is by nature a social animal.” – Aristotle
Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and
behave in a social context.
Scientific Study
We can learn about human behavior from novels, films, history, and
philosophy, to name just a few possibilities. What makes social psychology
different from these artistic and humanistic endeavors?
It applies the scientific method of systematic observation, description, and
measurement to the study of the human condition.
Understanding of Individuals in terms of
1. Thinking (attitudes, beliefs, approaches, likes, dislikes)
2. Feeling (joy, hate, love, passion, anger, happiness)
3. Behaving (helping, avoiding, cooperating, leading)
Social Context
The discipline of psychology is an immense, sprawling enterprise, concerned with
everything from the actions of neurotransmitters in the brain to the actions of
dancers in a crowded club. What makes social psychology unique is its emphasis on
the social nature of individuals.
Socialness of Social Psychology
Social psychologists sometimes examine nonsocial factors that affect people’s
thoughts, emotions, motives, and actions. For example, they may study whether hot
weather causes people to behave more aggressively (Anderson, 2012; Ranson, 2014).
Social psychologists sometimes study people’s thoughts or feelings about
nonsocial things, such as people’s attitudes toward Nike versus Adidas basketball
shoes.
The thoughts, feelings, or behaviors either
(a) concern other people or
(b) are influenced by other people.
Social Psychological Questions
1. What Affects the Way We Perceive Ourselves and Others?
2. How Do We Influence Each Other?
3. What Causes Us to Like, Love, Help, and Hurt Others
Social Psychological and Common Sense
• How social psychology is different from common sense (knew-it-all-along
phenomenon)
• Common Sense Fact vs. Common Sense Myth