The most important aspect of this discipline is that it helps us understand in detail how social relationships are established and how they influence the behavior of individuals. It focuses on ensuring the well-being of human beings in their environments.
Many people may have noticed that their behavior changes depending on those around them. But they may also have noticed that when they are alone, their thoughts and behavior are also influenced by other individuals. This is precisely what Social Psychology studies, so it is necessary to know its essential characteristics.
Characteristics of Social Psychology
To understand what Social Psychology is and its fields of study , it is essential to understand that it is a science that explores the relationships that exist in social interaction , through a variety of tools and methods. This allows it to examine the behavior of human beings, taking into account three basic aspects, such as the ability to socialize, the way in which they behave and how they relate to social situations .
In this sense, this science is determined by the following characteristics that form the basis of what its work represents for society:
Analyze and evaluate the relationships between people, groups, communities and societies.
It exposes the psychological development that individuals should have at a certain age.
Evaluates the psychological constructs that demonstrate the different forms of opinion, and their influence on people's social behavior.
Determines the characteristics that the effects of different phenomena and social problems have in the area where the individual is located.
Observe the means by which people establish mechanisms to interact and that allow them to produce, generate and determine new forms of social coexistence.
Determines the pathologies that cause inappropriate behavior in a society.
Examines the social representations of people, based on the characteristics of their culture and society.
It stands out for having its own field of theories and work techniques, considering its psychosocial vision.
Keep reading and discover What does a Social Psychologist do?
What is its importance?
Social Psychology is essential for human coexistence, as it cpa email database aims to establish theories about human behavior that make it possible to predict behaviors before they occur, thereby intervening effectively. With this, it seeks to intervene in the factors that promote certain behaviors in order to change some ways of acting.
It also influences the well-being of individuals, as well as the general health of society, managing to address various problems such as organized crime, abuse, corruption, drug addiction, xenophobia, prejudice and aggression, among others. This is because it serves to promote laws and principles that can govern coexistence, thereby facilitating the quality of life of each individual and the optimal functioning of society.
Likewise, the results of research in Social Psychology help professionals to intervene in behaviors that originate or are modified by social factors. Social problems are increasing, so specific knowledge is required to understand how they occur and how they affect interpersonal relationships.
Approaches to Social Psychology
It has already become clear that in Social Psychology, the social environment and the relationships established between individuals represent its axis of study and application. Therefore, it is crucial to know the following three approaches that this discipline can have, in order to broadly cover its entire field of action:
Community Focus
Community Social Psychology is a field of specialization that analyzes group or community phenomena, taking into account social and environmental factors. Its aim is to establish actions that prevent psychosocial problems and improve human development, by strengthening the community. Its main concepts to reinforce are self-management and empowerment.
Cognitive Approach
Cognitive Social Psychology focuses on recognizing the individual as an active information processor that responds to certain social stimuli, considered as mental phenomena that serve to develop, organize and change the processes of social interaction. Therefore, it concentrates on analyzing perception, learning, memory, logical reasoning and the formation of knowledge.
Applied Approach
Applied Social Psychology investigates the processes, significant problems and behaviors of human beings, considering the studies related to Social Psychology, as well as scientific approaches applied to social environments. It seeks to obtain theoretical and practical knowledge, to determine the factors that will serve as possible solutions to the problems encountered.