SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Introduction
Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think about, influence and relate to
one another. It focuses on situational influences and interpersonal dynamics. Social psychology
bridges the gap between individual psychological processes and broader societal behaviors,
emphasizing on empirical research and experimentation. Studies to know humans as a society
better. “We are social animals” - Aristotle
Social thinking → perceiving, beliefs, judgements, attitudes
Social influence → culture, conformity, persuasion
Social relations → prejudice, aggression, attraction, helping
Examples:
● Stanford experiment (Philip Zimbardo)
○ abuse of power
● Milgram experiment (Stanley Milgram)
○ authority
● Asch experiment (Solomon Asch)
○ conformity
● Three identical strangers (2018, Peter Neubauer and Viola Bernard)
○ nature vs nurture
There is an objective reality, but we always view it through the lens of our beliefs and values.
We’re all intuitive scientists because we want to explain people’s behavior.
Dual processing
System 1 (intuitive): fast, effortless, unconscious
● Pros: fight or flight response
● Cons: can be prone to biases
System 2 (controlled): slow, effortful, conscious
● Pros: rational decision making
● Cons: requires more time and energy
Relationship (C vs C)
● Collaboration → automatic vs challenging situations
● Conflict → heart vs mind disagreements
Example: Stroop test (John Ridley Stroop, 9035)
● System 1: automatic processing as reading the words
● System 2: controlled processing as naming the color ink
, Nature vs nurture
Nature: biological and genetic predispositions
● Many aspects of human behavior, intelligence and abilities are determined by our DNA
● Skinner → behavior is learned through conditioning
Nurture: environmental and cultural factors
● Behaviors and characteristics are shaped by learning and the environment
● Plato → certain traits are innate
Despite genetic predisposition, some traits, like language development, have critical periods
where nurture plays a crucial role, and environmental factors like stress diet and trauma can
influence certain genes. But we can’t be solely biological or cultural - these factors are
interconnected. One thing is predisposition and another is determination. “Humans are cultural
animals” - Aristotle
Liquid society
A social structure in which traditional norms, values, institutions, and relationships are no longer
solid or fixed but are instead fluid, flexible, and subject to constant change. (Zygmunt Bauman)
Key characteristics:
● People are expected to adapt quickly to changing circumstances in their lives
● Long-term commitments, whether in jobs, relationships, or communities, are less
common, replaced by short-term, situational arrangements
● The focus shifts to "liquid consumption," where people seek experiences or short-term
gratification rather than durable goods or enduring commitments
● Constant change creates a sense of instability and unpredictability
Double -edged sword → Liquid society liberates individuals from oppressive structures of the
past but burdens them with uncertainty and the constant need to adapt.
Human values
Our personal values based on experience and beliefs seep into social psychology and science in
the choice of research topics, hidden assumptions when forming concepts, choosing labels, and
giving advice.
● Bashful vs cautious
● Holding back vs observer
● Terrorist vs freedom fighter
● Loss of innocent lives vs collateral damage
● Open marriage vs adultery
● Brainwashing vs social influence
● Perversion vs sex acts
Introduction
Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think about, influence and relate to
one another. It focuses on situational influences and interpersonal dynamics. Social psychology
bridges the gap between individual psychological processes and broader societal behaviors,
emphasizing on empirical research and experimentation. Studies to know humans as a society
better. “We are social animals” - Aristotle
Social thinking → perceiving, beliefs, judgements, attitudes
Social influence → culture, conformity, persuasion
Social relations → prejudice, aggression, attraction, helping
Examples:
● Stanford experiment (Philip Zimbardo)
○ abuse of power
● Milgram experiment (Stanley Milgram)
○ authority
● Asch experiment (Solomon Asch)
○ conformity
● Three identical strangers (2018, Peter Neubauer and Viola Bernard)
○ nature vs nurture
There is an objective reality, but we always view it through the lens of our beliefs and values.
We’re all intuitive scientists because we want to explain people’s behavior.
Dual processing
System 1 (intuitive): fast, effortless, unconscious
● Pros: fight or flight response
● Cons: can be prone to biases
System 2 (controlled): slow, effortful, conscious
● Pros: rational decision making
● Cons: requires more time and energy
Relationship (C vs C)
● Collaboration → automatic vs challenging situations
● Conflict → heart vs mind disagreements
Example: Stroop test (John Ridley Stroop, 9035)
● System 1: automatic processing as reading the words
● System 2: controlled processing as naming the color ink
, Nature vs nurture
Nature: biological and genetic predispositions
● Many aspects of human behavior, intelligence and abilities are determined by our DNA
● Skinner → behavior is learned through conditioning
Nurture: environmental and cultural factors
● Behaviors and characteristics are shaped by learning and the environment
● Plato → certain traits are innate
Despite genetic predisposition, some traits, like language development, have critical periods
where nurture plays a crucial role, and environmental factors like stress diet and trauma can
influence certain genes. But we can’t be solely biological or cultural - these factors are
interconnected. One thing is predisposition and another is determination. “Humans are cultural
animals” - Aristotle
Liquid society
A social structure in which traditional norms, values, institutions, and relationships are no longer
solid or fixed but are instead fluid, flexible, and subject to constant change. (Zygmunt Bauman)
Key characteristics:
● People are expected to adapt quickly to changing circumstances in their lives
● Long-term commitments, whether in jobs, relationships, or communities, are less
common, replaced by short-term, situational arrangements
● The focus shifts to "liquid consumption," where people seek experiences or short-term
gratification rather than durable goods or enduring commitments
● Constant change creates a sense of instability and unpredictability
Double -edged sword → Liquid society liberates individuals from oppressive structures of the
past but burdens them with uncertainty and the constant need to adapt.
Human values
Our personal values based on experience and beliefs seep into social psychology and science in
the choice of research topics, hidden assumptions when forming concepts, choosing labels, and
giving advice.
● Bashful vs cautious
● Holding back vs observer
● Terrorist vs freedom fighter
● Loss of innocent lives vs collateral damage
● Open marriage vs adultery
● Brainwashing vs social influence
● Perversion vs sex acts
