Definition of Social Psychology The scientific study of

Definition of Social Psychology The scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave toward other people and how individuals thoughts, feelings, & behaviors are affected by other people (Brehm, Kassin, & Fein 2002 p 5). The scientific investigation of how the thoughts, feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined and implied presence of others (Hogg & Vaughan 2005 p 4).

Social psychology of helping behaviour §On 13 March 1964 Catherine Genovese (28), bar manager, arrived home at about 3: 15 a. m. § She lived in a block of flats in Kew Gardens (New York) where she parked her car some 100 feet from her apartment. §A stranger (Winston Moseley) intercepted & stabbed her for no known reason other than that Moseley was a necrophiliac.

Catherine Genovese (Kitty) Kitty (28 at the time) • New York Times story (27 March 1964) • For about 1/2 hour 38 law abiding citizens watched the murder of Kitty Genovese without phoning the police or coming to her aid. • Why did so many people fail to help?

Social & cognitive processes § Ways in which our emotions influence our thinking § Ways in which our motives justify our means § Ways in which significant others, e. g. family, society, influence our attitudes, values and beliefs. § Ways in which our perceptions influence our reality

Cognitive processes

Cognitive processes

8 Principles of Social Behaviour Two fundamental principles: ¥ People construct their own reality ¥ People are influenced & influence others Three motivational principles: ¥ Strive for mastery ¥ Strive for connectedness ¥ Value “me & mine” Three processing principles: ¥ Conservatism ¥ Accessibility ¥ Superficiality Vs Depth

Recommended Reading 4 Brehm, S. S. , Kassin, S. , M. , & Fein, S (2002) Social Psychology. Houghton Mifflin: London (chapter 1) 4 Hogg, M. , & Vaughan, G. (2005) Social Psychology (4 th edition) Prentice-Hall: London (chapter 1)