What is social psychology? - summary of chapter 1 of Social Psychology by Smith, E, R (fourth edition)
Social psychologyChapter 1What is social psychology? Social psychology: the scientific study of the effects of social and cognitive processes on the way individuals perceive, influence and relate to others.The scientific study Social psychologist gather knowledge systematically by means of scientific methods. These methods help to produce knowledge that is less subject to the biases and distortions that often characterize common-sense knowledge.The effects of social and cognitive processesThe presence of other people, the knowledge and opinions they pass on to us, and our feelings about the groups to which we belong all deeply influence us through social processes, whether we are with other people or alone. Our perceptions, memories, emotions, and motives also exert a pervasive influence on us through cognitive processes. Effects of social and cognitive processes are not separate but inextricably intertwined.Social processes: the ways in which input from the people and groups around us affect our thoughts, feelings and actions.Affect us even when others are not physically present.The processes that affect us when others are present depend on how we interpret those others and their actions.Cognitive processes: the ways in which our memories, perceptions, thoughts, emotions, and motives influence our understanding of the world and guide our actions.The way individuals perceive, influence and relate to othersSocial psychology focuses on the effects of social and cognitive processes on the way individuals perceive, influence...
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