1. Chapter 1: Intro to Social Psychology
Part 1: Wed. Aug. 22, 2012
(Basic Outline only)

2. What is Social Psychology?
The scientific study of how individuals think about, influence & relate to one another
…in a social context
4 emphases this semester: what are they?
Relatively young field. Took hold in the 30’s

3. Importance of Context Influence of context on behavior
Example?
1984 Presidential Debate results:
How did perceptions differ?

4. Social Psych and Other Fields
Little overlap with clinical psych
Differences?
Overlaps more with Cognitive Psych and Personality Psych –
Sociology – differs from social psychology in level of analysis & research methods used

5. Careers in Social Psych
Majority of social psychologists hold PhDs but some masters programs.
Work settings?
Academic: Most in psych dept but other options…
Applied settings:

6. Is social psych different from common sense?
Common sense relies on explanations after the fact –hindsight
Some social psych findings appear counterintuitive
Examples?
Social psych uses theories to make predictions (hypotheses)
What are theories?