Social psychology is the study of the impact social forces has on how people think, feel, and act. Our perceptions of ourselves in relation to the rest of the world influence our decisions, behaviors, and beliefs. In turn, the opinions or even the mere presence of others influence our behavior and how we perceive ourselves.
Social Psychology vs Sociology
The disciplines of social psychology and sociology are frequently confused. This is evident as both fields of study are concerned with the ways in which human behavior shapes and is shaped by society and social interaction. The major difference between them is that: Social psychology studies individual behavior in relation to the group or the society, whereas Sociology is the study of group behavior and functioning in relation to society.
Let’s talk about a few pioneer figures in the field of Social Psychology and their major contributions to it:
1. KURT LEWIN (1890-1947)
A German American Psychologist.
Kurt Lewin was one of the most influential social psychologists and is also widely regarded as the father of modern social psychology. He initially studied behaviorism, but later became interested in Gestalt psychology. His work on group dynamics, experiential learning, and action research approach had a huge impact on the evolution of social psychology.
Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory: Lewin developed a theory influenced by Gestalt psychology that emphasized the importance of individual personalities, interpersonal conflict, and situational factors. According to Lewin’s Field Theory, human behavior is the direct result of both the individual characteristics and the environment they live in. We are not just beings who act from internal impulses. Instead, we are greatly influenced by our surroundings. This theory had a significant impact on social psychology. Lewin’s field theory then led to the development of actual field research on human behavior.
Lewin’s Leadership Styles (1939):
A group of researchers led by psychologist Kurt Lewin set out to identify different leadership styles. They studied the schoolchildren and observed their behavior around three specific types of a leader. The result of the study found a democratic leader to be the most effective one. This early study was remarkably influential in establishing three major leadership styles, which have served as a launching pad for more defined leadership theories.
- Authoritarian Leadership (Autocratic)- viewed as controlling and dictatorial. They expect obedience and fully take the responsibility for the decision-making. Best for situations where rapid and decisive actions are required.
- Participative Leadership (Democratic)- found to be the most effective style. Prefers group engagement, open communication, and input from the members, however, the final say remains in the hand of the leader.
- Delegative Leadership (Laissez-Faire)- works well where the team members are experts and need little or no guidance or direction. It is a hands-off approach. The decision-making is up to the members who do not need to be micromanaged.
2. SOLOMON ASCH (1907-1996)
A Polish American Psychologist.
Solomon Asch is widely regarded as an influential figure of social psychology and Gestalt psychology. He earned his master’s degree from Columbia University and was supervised by another pioneer of psychology, Max Wertheimer. He had supervised Stanley Milgram and influenced his landmark research on obedience. In the 1950s Asch conducted a series of experiments on studying conformity demonstrating the power of social influence which continued to inspire social psychology researchers even today. Asch’s work on social influence, group behavior, peer pressure, and behavior change are among the major contributions to social psychology.
Asch conformity experiments: Conformity, in psychology, refers to an individual’s strong tendency to follow the unspoken rules or behaviors of the social group to which they belong. Asch was curious about how group pressure could lead people to conform even when they knew the rest of the group was wrong. The Asch conformity experiment was designed to demonstrate the power of conformity in groups. As a result of the experiments, it was found:
- Conformity tends to increase with the increase in the number of people present.
- As the difficulty of the task increases the tendency to conform also increases.
- Conformity increases when other members of the group are of a higher social status.
3. Leon Festinger (1919-1989)
An American social psychologist.
Leon Festinger has contributed to two key theories of social psychology- social comparison theory and cognitive dissonance. Festinger was also a student of Kurt Lewin and worked as his research associate.
Festinger and his colleagues also wrote a book called, When Prophecy Fails, a classic text of social psychology studying cognitive dissonance. It is about a small cult holding the belief that the end of the world was near. The book looks at the effects when someone’s beliefs are proven false by facts. Festinger noticed that even when apocalypse predictions turn out to be false, group members were not discouraged rather they believed that it is their prophecies that had stopped it from happening.
Social Comparison Theory: Social comparison theory was developed by Leon Festinger in 1954, it is a human tendency to make comparisons between us and others. People assess their own personal and social worth and evaluate their actions, accomplishments, and opinions by comparing themselves to others. Festinger believed that we engage in this comparison process to establish a standard against which we can make accurate assessments of ourselves.
- Upward Social Comparison: comparing ourselves with those who are better than us to improve our current state.
- Downward Social Comparison: comparing ourselves with those who are worse than us to make us feel better about ourselves.
Cognitive Dissonance
The American Psychological Association (APA)defines cognitive dissonance as “an unpleasant psychological state resulting from inconsistency between two or more elements in a cognitive system.“
The difference between what people believe and how they eventually behave causes discomfort. It not only affects how you feel, but it also motivates you to take action to relieve your discomfort.
For example – you want to cut down your screen time, but you start your morning by looking at your phone first thing in the morning, hence it gives you a guilty feeling. So, you either change the behavior or look out for reasonable ways to reduce the discomfort feeling altogether.
Blog By : DEEBHA SITHTA
