Benchmark: Research Reflection
Grand Canyon University: PSY 362
Benchmark: Research Reflection
1) Social psychology differs from other fields of psychology in that it investigates
how their social environment and relationships influence people. It looks into how the
social environment affects people's beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. Unlike clinical
psychology, which focuses on mental health issues, and cognitive psychology, which
analyzes memory and decision-making, social psychology investigates the "big
questions" about human behavior in social contexts. Researchers investigate how
social norms influence behavior by finding the implicit rules that govern interactions.
They also study factors influencing conformity, persuasion, and obedience, offering
insight into why people follow authority or adopt group behaviors. Additionally,
, social psychologists explore the formation of stereotypes and prejudices and
investigate strategies to reduce them, promoting equality and inclusivity. Another
area of interest involves understanding the motivations behind prosocial behaviors,
like helping others, and the triggers for aggression, which disrupt social harmony. A
GCU library article, How Social Norms Can Shape Children's Behaviors, explores
how social norms influence intergroup bias in children, focusing on their role in
developing racial attitudes and behaviors (Et A., 2009). Experiments and surveys are
two key research methods used in social psychology. Experiments allow researchers
to modify factors and determine cause-and-effect relationships, while surveys collect
data from larger populations (Carlson 2017). These methods help clarify how group
dynamics and social influences affect behavior, contributing to improvements in
relationships and societal interactions.
Grand Canyon University: PSY 362
Benchmark: Research Reflection
1) Social psychology differs from other fields of psychology in that it investigates
how their social environment and relationships influence people. It looks into how the
social environment affects people's beliefs, emotions, and behaviors. Unlike clinical
psychology, which focuses on mental health issues, and cognitive psychology, which
analyzes memory and decision-making, social psychology investigates the "big
questions" about human behavior in social contexts. Researchers investigate how
social norms influence behavior by finding the implicit rules that govern interactions.
They also study factors influencing conformity, persuasion, and obedience, offering
insight into why people follow authority or adopt group behaviors. Additionally,
, social psychologists explore the formation of stereotypes and prejudices and
investigate strategies to reduce them, promoting equality and inclusivity. Another
area of interest involves understanding the motivations behind prosocial behaviors,
like helping others, and the triggers for aggression, which disrupt social harmony. A
GCU library article, How Social Norms Can Shape Children's Behaviors, explores
how social norms influence intergroup bias in children, focusing on their role in
developing racial attitudes and behaviors (Et A., 2009). Experiments and surveys are
two key research methods used in social psychology. Experiments allow researchers
to modify factors and determine cause-and-effect relationships, while surveys collect
data from larger populations (Carlson 2017). These methods help clarify how group
dynamics and social influences affect behavior, contributing to improvements in
relationships and societal interactions.
