INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PYSCHOLOGY

Social Psychology – is the systematic study of

people's thoughts, feelings, and behavior in
social context.
 Psychologist approach to Social
Psychology

 Social psychologist approach the study of

human behavior in different ways. Some social
psychologist focus on the impact of our
immediate social environments on our thoughts,
feelings, and behavior. But they soon find that
even these immediate contexts are influenced
by larger social forces and conditions.
 Sociologists approach to Social
Psychology

When sociologist study social psychology, they
emphasize the ways in which society shapes
the meaning of social interactions, while also
assessing the effect of broad social conditions
on our thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Sociological social psychologists study many of
the same topics as sociological social
psychologist – emotions, identity, and attitudes
for example – but they use theories and
perspectives that tend to place emphasis on the
role of society in social processes.
 Sociology, Psychology and Social
Psychology
Sociology is the systematic study of society.
Society is a broad term that includes many
levels of social interaction, from the interactions
among individuals, to relationships among
nations.
Psychology, the study of human thought
processes and behavior.
Macrosociology and Microsociology
Macrosociology focuses on the analysis of large-
scale social processes. Instead of researching
individual thoughts, feelings, and behavior,
macrosociology looks at a larger groups and
social institutions. Macrosociologists use
societal level data to examine phenomena such
as poverty rates, incidence of violence, or large
scale social-changes.
 Macrosociology and Microsology
Microsociology, the study of the effects of larger
society on social psychological processes. In
addition to studying the impact of larger social
factors on individuals and their interactions,
microsologists are concerned, with the role of
the individual in the creation and maintenance
of society.
 Theoretical Perspectives in
Macrosociology
Macrosociology includes two major perspectives:
structural functionalist and conflict theory. The
structual functionalist perspective emphasizes
how elements of society interact in ways that
help society maintain order.

Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons – society
resembles a biological organism in which each
part of the body has a function that promotes
survival of the whole. However, not all parts of
this system are equal value.

This specialization leads to differentiation and
the establishments of a hierarchy.

The result is a class system in which some
people gain more money and prestige than
others.
“I was raised to treat the janitor with the same
respect as the CEO”


The social conflict perspectives focuses on
inequalities in society, especially those
associated with class differences.

Karl Marx and C. Wright Mills
Coflict theoriests see society as a made up of
members – both individuals and groups – who
are constantly battling over limited resources.
 There is some overlap between sociology and
psychology. Scholars in sociology, particularly
microsociology, like those in psychology, look at
how the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of
individuals are created and modified by the
social conditions in which they live.
However,sociological social psychology, is an
extension of the larger field of sociology that
emphasizes the impact of societal forces, - in
addition to immediate social contexts – on
individuals' live.
In a sense, social psychology serves as a natural
bridge between fields of sociology (which focuses on
social aspect) and psychology (which focuses on
individuals)
 Historical Context of Sociological
Social Psychology
The term sociology was coined by French
philosopher August Comte. Comte first defined
the field of sociology in 1838, later than other
sciences such as economics and biology.
Comte was a staunch positivist. Positivism is
the belief that the scientific method is the best
approach to the production of knowledge.