The key assumptions are: Other people and the environment influence our behaviour and thought processes. All human behaviour occurs in a social context (even in the absence of others). Our relationships with others influence our behaviour and thought processes.
Chapter 1.2-The Four Core Assumptions of Social Psychology
- Behavior Is a Joint Product of the Person and the Situation.
- Behavior Depends on a Socially Constructed View of Reality.
- Behavior Is Strongly Influenced by Our Social Cognition.
- The Best Way to Understand Social Behavior Is to Use the Scientific Method.
The science of social psychology depends on core values such as accuracy, objectivity, skepticism, and open mindedness. Social psychologists commit themselves to these values and apply them in an effort to understand the nature of social behavior and thought.
4 Major Perspectives Used by Social Psychologists
- Sociocultural Perspective.
- Evolutionary Perspective.
- Social Learning Perspective.
- Social-Cognitive Perspective.
Assumption. our behavior, thought processes and emotions are influenced by the people around us, how they behave and their characteristics.
Social Thinking, Social Influence, and Social Behavior. Social psychology focuses on three main areas: social thinking, social influence, and social behavior. Each of these overlapping areas of study is displayed in Figure 1.1.
What are the assumptions of psychology?
Psychology is scientific and should be tested in a scientific manner. They argue that only observable behaviour should be measured and if something can not be seen, it does not exist.
What are the four things psychologists seek to do?
A Word From Verywell
So as you have learned, the four primary goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and change behavior. In many ways, these objectives are similar to the kinds of things you probably do every day as you interact with others.
The 9 Major Research Areas in Social Psychology
- Social Cognition.
- Attitudes.
- Violence and Aggression.
- Prosocial Behavior.
- Prejudice and Discrimination.
- Social Identity.
- Group Behavior.
- Social Influence.
The basic premise of social cognitive theory is that a person’s behaviour is the result of three reciprocal factors. These are behaviour, personal characteristics and the environment. Behaviour is about the social world and the influence of other people’s behaviour on our own behaviour.