Overview

Social Psychology studies humans in herds. We are social animals, and our behavior changes drastically when we are around others.

Core Idea

The core idea is the situation. We think we act based on our personality, but often we act based on the situation (Fundamental Attribution Error). Good people can do bad things in bad situations.

Formal Definition

The scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

Intuition

  • Conformity: Fitting in. If everyone else stands up, you stand up. (Asch Experiment).
  • Obedience: Following orders. (Milgram Experiment: Normal people shocked others just because a guy in a lab coat told them to).
  • Bystander Effect: If someone is hurt, you are less likely to help if there are many people around (diffusion of responsibility).

Examples

  • Stanford Prison Experiment: Students played guards and prisoners. The “guards” became sadistic within days. (Though the validity of this study is heavily debated now).
  • Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort of holding two conflicting beliefs. We change our beliefs to justify our actions. (e.g., “I smoke, but smoking isn’t that bad”).
  • Stereotype Threat: Fear of confirming a negative stereotype can make you perform worse.

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: I would never do that (e.g., shock someone).
    • Correction: Yes, you probably would. The power of the situation is stronger than you think.
  • Misconception: Brainwashing is magic.
    • Correction: It’s just extreme social influence and isolation.
  • Sociology: Studies groups/society. Social Psych studies individuals in groups.
  • Marketing: Using social psych to sell stuff (Social Proof).
  • Prejudice: The psychology of “Us vs. Them.”

Applications

  • Public Policy: Nudging people to recycle.
  • Conflict Resolution: Reducing intergroup tension.

Criticism and Limitations

  • Replication Crisis: Many famous social psych studies (like the Stanford Prison Experiment and Power Posing) have failed to replicate or were flawed. The field is currently fixing itself.

Further Reading

  • The Social Animal by Elliot Aronson
  • Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini