The Object of Study of Social Psychology

Social psychology is a discipline that uses different scientific methods to understand and explain how an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are affected by the real, implicit, or imagined presence of other people (Rodriguez, 2018). In short, this discipline seeks to understand how each person’s behavior is modified by the surrounding environment (Rodriguez, 2018). From this perspective, and in accordance with Páez (2003), more individualistic approaches hold that the social is reduced to the mere presence of another, while more holistic approaches maintain that what influences thinking processes is the social structure—that is, group power relations, status, and ideology.

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Object of Study of Social Psychology

The subject matter of social psychology is the influence of social relationships on the behavior and psychological state of individuals (Regader, n.d.). In this way, social psychology aims to establish theories about human behavior that can predict actions before they occur and, thereby, enable intervention (Muelas, 2021). For example, in recent years one of the most concerning areas in social psychology has been understanding why adolescents start smoking or drinking despite being aware of the dangers of these behaviors (Rodriguez, 2018). Thus, according to Muelas (2021), if the factors that promote certain behaviors are known, intervening in those factors could change the final behaviors.

Consequently, to analyze the form, quality, and scope of social bonds, the study begins with communication and learning (Rodriguez et al., 2005). Similarly, it includes research on the influence of personal attitudes and social thoughts (Regader, n.d.). And, of course, in accordance with Regader (n.d.), another factor that social psychology must consider is the historical background of the occurrence of psychological events, since behavior always occurs against a series of material and symbolic precedents that affect the behavior of all human beings.

References

1. Muelas, R. (2021). ¿Sabes qué es la psicología social y por qué es tan importante?. La Mente es Maravillosa. Recuperado 19 August 2021, a partir de https://lamenteesmaravillosa.com/sabes-que-es-la-psicologia-social-y-por-que-es-importante/

2. Páez, D. (2003). Obtenido 4 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.ehu.eus/documents/1463215/1504276/Capitulo+I_Manual+Psic+Soc_2004.pdf

3. Regader, B. (s.f.) ¿Qué es la Psicología Social?. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://psicologiaymente.com/social/psicologia-social

4. Rodriguez, A. (2018). Psicología social: historia, objeto de estudio y áreas - Lifeder. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.lifeder.com/psicologia-social/

5. Rodriguez, C., et al. (2005). Psicología Social - Polimodal. Obtenido 1 Noviembre 2020, de https://bdigital.uncu.edu.ar/objetos_digitales/1373/psisocpolimodal.pdf