09 Jul Bench mark Psychology

SocialPsychology: Theory and Perspectives

The SocialPsychology Network aims to promote peace, understanding, social justice, andsustainable living. The research grant dating back to 1999 provided Dr. Plousthe ability to create Sociology Psychology Network (SPN) and its’ partners:

1999 PrisonExp.org

 2000 Jigsaw.org

2001 JoeChemo.org

2002UnderstandingPrejudice.org

The grant’scontinued renewal is possibly even more impressive, which indicates the needfor social awareness to be researched and applied to vital areas underlyingsocietal issues such as prejudice and health education. In addition, it boastsone of the most significant internet resources with social media: Breaking NewsStories, On line studies, Employment. to support its members, including 20,000visitors daily in over 100 countries. Social psychology allows an understandingof how someone’s environment and social relationships influence their behavior.Researched theories historically relate to social psychology and continue to bethe cornerstone to form adjunct areas of psychology. While the disciplines ofpsychology and sociology, by definition, can be considered seemingly separate,they are the foundation for other important areas of study like socialinfluence, perception, and relations. The following essay briefs socialpsychology and supports five theoretical perspectives and experts in theirfield of study of individuals’ behaviors, thoughts, and actions and how theyperceive and interact with their environment.

Five SocialPsychologists and Theoretical Perspectives

The evolutionaryperspective examines the genetic and biological aspects of behavior concerningsurvival and natural selection. Dr. Steven Neuberg, Professor of Psychology atArizona State University, combines social-cognitive and evolutionary research.Perhaps one of the notable variables he includes in his multidisciplinary andglobal study is religion. In a recent journal, Neuberg studied groups in asocio functional approach and determined that emotions were masked by prejudiceand threat. (Cottrell, C., Neuberg, S.)

Next, the socio-culturaltheory furthers that behavior is rooted based on an individuals’ culture.Researcher Benjamin Giguere, Ph.D. in Psychology from New York University andhe focuses on culture and ethnicity. His most recent publication on collectiveactivism found that individuals who identify with a group are more likely toparticipate in collective identity and actions related to norms, values, andbeliefs. (Giguere, B. 2010). Behavioral-Social Learning: is based onobservation; historically, many first proposed analysis in a restrictedapproach treating individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Whilethis area is essential, behaviorists have begun to understand principles toinclude a broader population. The gerontology area of study is an opportunityto explore societal norms as groups such as baby boomers live longer. Communityoutreach programs to educate the population at large have a lasting effect.Joan Monin, Ph.D. in Psychology, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology atCarnegie Mellon University, is focused on research to better understand how takingcare of a loved one can affect the adult caregiver’s health and well-being. Thegoal of the study addresses the needs of the quality of life for caregivers andtheir partners. The research has taken on great importance as seniors age 65+age group is expected to grow to 70

million to theyear 2030. (Retrieved from http://medicine.yale.edu/lab/monin). The impendingaging process does not cater to prejudice. In other words, we have acommonality among all races, religions, gender, and sexual orientation. Deathdoes not discriminate, and therefore, society has a collective socialresponsibility to care. The concern is that people are living longer, and thecaregiving need is in high demand. Monin’s research also examines the birth riteorder within a family structure and how the responsibilities role out asparents and parents and loved one’s age. “Social role theory suggests thatthis is because women are socialized to take the role as kin keepers from anearly age, whereas men are socialized to be the providers.” Monin, J. K.,Clark, M. S., & Lemay, E. P. (2008). Phenomenological: is theinterpretation of social situation with behavior as a function of person andenvironment. Kurt Lewin (1951), a pioneer of field theory, asserted thatbehavior is a function of both the person and their environment. Most socialpsychologists agree that we must understand the psychological processesresponsible for it to solve a specific social problem. Indeed, Kurt Lewin(1951), one of the founders of social psychology, delved into social issues.Related to the phenomenological perspective is another theory called socialconstructivism, which believes that social reality is constructed rather thandiscovered. In other words, what people pay attention to and how theyinterpret, use, sort, and retrieve information is examined. Topics studied bysocial psychologists include self-perception, attitudes and persuasion, and theattribution process.

 Cultural Roles and Social PsychologistConclusion

 Social situations with humans are consideredsocial as well as cultural. However, the research conducted by socialpsychologists in today’s culture is somewhat of an oxymoron. Hurry and Wait! Inother words, while society clamors for quick response, high-speed response withautomation and technology, we continue to regress and demand answers in mereseconds. Therefore, social psychologists remain dedicated to a field thatrequires time and research to gather data based on five fundamental theories:Evolutionary, Socio-Cultural, Behavioral-Social Learning, Phenomenological, andSocial Cognition.

The role ofculture related to the research of the social psychologists reviewed in theessay provided the basis and purpose of the entire field of psychology: tohumanize each other, overcome issues and do unto others. It is essential todistinguish cultural differences when conducting human research to accommodatethe variables, discover a base line within subgroups, use the theories withempirical data, and address the ever-changing needs of societal norms. It is crucialto distinguish cultural differences when conducting human research toaccommodate the variables, discover a baseline within subgroups, use thetheories with empirical data, and address societal norms’ ever-changing needs.Cultural differences include and are not be limited to the disabled. Educationand experience combine to recognize and overcome fear and develop newrelationships. By understanding social behavior and combining it with empiricaldata, results and findings can prove common sense. The theory will gain greatinsight into how society can treat all human beings with respect. The role ofculture relates to research and social psychology as they are correlational ineffort and purpose. Of particular interest is the research being done for thedisabled and the elderly. Under the Affordable Care Act, the health providercommunity has repositioned decision-making. It can compromise health caredecisions for patientswith exceptional value placed on the vulnerable: theelderly and the disabled. Future success can be linked to community outreachprograms educating the adult children of the seniors, fundraising, and creatingprograms to connect the elderly with the youth.

References

Aronson, E.,Wilson, T. D., and Akert, R. M. (2010). Social psychology (7th ed.). EnglewoodCliffs, NJ: Prentice

Cottrell,Catherine A.; Neuberg, Steven L. Different Emotional Reactions to DifferentGroups: A Sociofunctional Threat-Based Approach to “Prejudice.”Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol 88(5), May 2005, 770-789

Golden, J. A.(2009). The Etiology and Treatment of Significant Societal Problems:Behaviorists Diving into Murky Waters with Strangers. International Journal ofBehavioral Consultation & Therapy, 5(1), 1-11.

Midgley, B. D.(2012). Beyond the box: B.F. Skinner’s technology of behavior from laboratoryto life, the 1950s-1970s. The Psychological Record, 62(4), 835-844.

 Monin, J. K., Clark, M. S., & Lemay, E. P.(2008). Communal responsiveness in relationships with female versus male familymembers. Sex Roles, 59(3-4), 176-188.