Social Psychology
Social Psychology Most people are sociable as this is an innate and harmless characteristic of the human species. Sociable people enjoy sharing their personal space with others. They welcome stimulating interaction such as friendship, entertaining, and conversation. Society is so engrossed in people’s social lives that reality television shows, regardless of the focus, are the new norm. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines sociable as “inclined by nature to companionship with others of the same species; inclined to seek or enjoy companionship” ("Sociable," 2013). When applying the word social to the world of psychology, the meaning does not change drastically, in application; the term social psychology simply becomes scientific. Sociologist and psychologist use this concept to “help answer … questions about … life and the world…” (Fiske, 2010, p. 1, para. 1).
Social Psychology – Defined Social psychology is a broad field that shifts based on different influences, situations, and assertions. In this, experts have not been able to develop a universal, concise, concrete definition that wholly encompass the term social psychology. Baron, Branscombe, and Byrne (2009) defined Social Psychology as “the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior and thought in social situations” (pp. 5-6, para. 5). David G. Myers (2009) offered his definition as “the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another” (p. 21, para. 1). Psychologist Gordon Allport (1968, as cited in Hewitt & Shulman, 2011) stated social psychology is “the attempt to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others” (p. 2, para. 3). This writer offers her opinion in that the aforementioned definitions lend to the overarching concept because social psychology correlates to everything that affects, changes, or shapes an
Social Psychology – Defined Social psychology is a broad field that shifts based on different influences, situations, and assertions. In this, experts have not been able to develop a universal, concise, concrete definition that wholly encompass the term social psychology. Baron, Branscombe, and Byrne (2009) defined Social Psychology as “the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behavior and thought in social situations” (pp. 5-6, para. 5). David G. Myers (2009) offered his definition as “the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another” (p. 21, para. 1). Psychologist Gordon Allport (1968, as cited in Hewitt & Shulman, 2011) stated social psychology is “the attempt to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others” (p. 2, para. 3). This writer offers her opinion in that the aforementioned definitions lend to the overarching concept because social psychology correlates to everything that affects, changes, or shapes an