Applying Social Psychology (3rd Edition)
1 APPLYING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Social psychology is a science, which tries to build knowledge primarily through
experiments and surveys.
Many societal problems have social psychological aspects, therefore social psychology
may help in clarifying such problems and contribute to finding solutions.
APPLYING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE PATHS FROM PROBLEM TO
INTERVENTION TO SUCCESS
PATHS:
- Problem: From a problem to problem definition: identifying and defining the
problem
- Analysis: From a problem definition to analysis and explanation: formulating
appropriate concepts and developing theory-based explanations
- Test: From explanations to a process model: developing and testing an
explanatory process model
- Help: From a process model to interventions: developing and implementing a
programme of interventions
- Success: From implementing the intervention to evaluating its success
PROBLEMS WITH APPLYING THEORIES
There are important limitations of research in social psychology, because much of the
general knowledge stems from laboratory experiments
1 Oversimplification
- Situation in experiments is a reduction and simplification of reality
o A single laboratory experiment can never examine complex interplay of
variables, and examines two or three causal variables at most
- EHect sizes can be used to compare relationships between variables used in
experiments
2 External validity
- All kinds of factors in real life may obscure the impact of variables that are
manipulated in experiments
3 Contradictory evidence
- Studies often produce contradictory findings.
o Often because studies have subtly diHerent methods
CONCLUSION
,Paths model should not be used in rigid way. Going from a problem to an intervention is
an iterative process: one moves back and forth between the diHerent steps
2 THE PROBLEM PHASE : FROM A PROBLEM TO A PROBLEM
DEFINITION
INTRODUCTION
Many social problems are aHected by how people relate to each other, and how their
thoughts, feelings and behaviours with respect to many issues are influenced by the
actual, imagined or implied presence of others.
Problem definition exists of:
- What is the problem
- Why is it a problem
- For whom is it a problem
- Who is target group for the intervention
- Insights into possible causes
- Insights into key aspects (applied, concrete, social psychological,
solvable/relievable)
- In terms of behaviour, emotions or cognitions
- Better to state problem at concrete, behavioural level than desired outcome of
the behaviour (eat healthier, instead of reduce weight)
The Path from a Problem to a Problem Definition
Reasons why it is important to develop a problem definition
- Delineate what needs to be explained and oHers suggestions for finding
appropriate literature and other sources of information
- Makes it possible to map out a programme of interventions. If essence of
problem is not captured correctly, intervention will probably fail.
KEY QUESTIONS FOR A PROBLEM DEFINITION
What is the problem?
What problem needs to be understood and resolved?
Be critical towards anything a client says, if client does not agree, then either:
- Don’t reformulate problem and stick to what client wants
- Reformulate the problem
- Stop cooperation or persuade client to formulate a more ‘honest’ problem
definition (how can we enhance reputation as ‘green’ company)
, Why is it a problem?
Why is a particular issue perceived as a problem?
Not only helps to specify the problem, but suggests direction for intervention
Don’t be persuaded by quick-fix solutions oHered by clients
Be careful to define problem within subjects’ interests
Helps to ask, since when is it a problem? -> historical analysis
- Can reveal the problem is not a problem
- Points to particular time when problem emerged/was noticed
- May indicate reasons why problem has suddenly increased in severity
For whom is it a problem?
Who are the parties involved in the problem?
Subsequent step is to ask if other parties perceive problem in the same way
- If parties disagree, a practitioner must consult with all parties involved to agree
on a version of the problem that all can endorse
- Sometimes actors within the same party may have a diHerent version of the story
What are the possible causes of the problem?
What seems to cause this problem? How may these causes aHect the problem
To build a picture of the background and potential causes of the problem, to see if there
is a social psychological dimension and to create preliminary causal model
è It is more of a first impression, not exact causes
Causes
- Immediate
- Distal (= distant)
What is the target group?
Who should be convinced of the problem? Whose cooperation is necessary for the
problem to be solved?
What are the key aspects of the problem?
Is it an applied problem?
- Basic research: developing a theory
1 APPLYING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Social psychology is a science, which tries to build knowledge primarily through
experiments and surveys.
Many societal problems have social psychological aspects, therefore social psychology
may help in clarifying such problems and contribute to finding solutions.
APPLYING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: THE PATHS FROM PROBLEM TO
INTERVENTION TO SUCCESS
PATHS:
- Problem: From a problem to problem definition: identifying and defining the
problem
- Analysis: From a problem definition to analysis and explanation: formulating
appropriate concepts and developing theory-based explanations
- Test: From explanations to a process model: developing and testing an
explanatory process model
- Help: From a process model to interventions: developing and implementing a
programme of interventions
- Success: From implementing the intervention to evaluating its success
PROBLEMS WITH APPLYING THEORIES
There are important limitations of research in social psychology, because much of the
general knowledge stems from laboratory experiments
1 Oversimplification
- Situation in experiments is a reduction and simplification of reality
o A single laboratory experiment can never examine complex interplay of
variables, and examines two or three causal variables at most
- EHect sizes can be used to compare relationships between variables used in
experiments
2 External validity
- All kinds of factors in real life may obscure the impact of variables that are
manipulated in experiments
3 Contradictory evidence
- Studies often produce contradictory findings.
o Often because studies have subtly diHerent methods
CONCLUSION
,Paths model should not be used in rigid way. Going from a problem to an intervention is
an iterative process: one moves back and forth between the diHerent steps
2 THE PROBLEM PHASE : FROM A PROBLEM TO A PROBLEM
DEFINITION
INTRODUCTION
Many social problems are aHected by how people relate to each other, and how their
thoughts, feelings and behaviours with respect to many issues are influenced by the
actual, imagined or implied presence of others.
Problem definition exists of:
- What is the problem
- Why is it a problem
- For whom is it a problem
- Who is target group for the intervention
- Insights into possible causes
- Insights into key aspects (applied, concrete, social psychological,
solvable/relievable)
- In terms of behaviour, emotions or cognitions
- Better to state problem at concrete, behavioural level than desired outcome of
the behaviour (eat healthier, instead of reduce weight)
The Path from a Problem to a Problem Definition
Reasons why it is important to develop a problem definition
- Delineate what needs to be explained and oHers suggestions for finding
appropriate literature and other sources of information
- Makes it possible to map out a programme of interventions. If essence of
problem is not captured correctly, intervention will probably fail.
KEY QUESTIONS FOR A PROBLEM DEFINITION
What is the problem?
What problem needs to be understood and resolved?
Be critical towards anything a client says, if client does not agree, then either:
- Don’t reformulate problem and stick to what client wants
- Reformulate the problem
- Stop cooperation or persuade client to formulate a more ‘honest’ problem
definition (how can we enhance reputation as ‘green’ company)
, Why is it a problem?
Why is a particular issue perceived as a problem?
Not only helps to specify the problem, but suggests direction for intervention
Don’t be persuaded by quick-fix solutions oHered by clients
Be careful to define problem within subjects’ interests
Helps to ask, since when is it a problem? -> historical analysis
- Can reveal the problem is not a problem
- Points to particular time when problem emerged/was noticed
- May indicate reasons why problem has suddenly increased in severity
For whom is it a problem?
Who are the parties involved in the problem?
Subsequent step is to ask if other parties perceive problem in the same way
- If parties disagree, a practitioner must consult with all parties involved to agree
on a version of the problem that all can endorse
- Sometimes actors within the same party may have a diHerent version of the story
What are the possible causes of the problem?
What seems to cause this problem? How may these causes aHect the problem
To build a picture of the background and potential causes of the problem, to see if there
is a social psychological dimension and to create preliminary causal model
è It is more of a first impression, not exact causes
Causes
- Immediate
- Distal (= distant)
What is the target group?
Who should be convinced of the problem? Whose cooperation is necessary for the
problem to be solved?
What are the key aspects of the problem?
Is it an applied problem?
- Basic research: developing a theory
