Discussion: Evolution of Social Psychology
Social psychology is considered by some to have begun in 1895 with the work of Norman Triplett (1897), who examined the impact of fellow cyclists on the performance of an individual cyclist. Triplett observed that the mere presence of other cyclists improved an individual's performance. Since Triplett's pioneering work, social psychologists continue to examine the powerful impact of situationism-that is, the importance of examining people's surroundings when trying to understand individual behavior. According to one of social psychology's founders, Gordon Allport (1954), "[S]ocial psychology is the scientific attempt to explain how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human beings." According to Fiske (2014), there are five core motives for our behavior, which are the product of human interaction with our respective context: belonging, understanding, controlling, enhancing the self, and trusting.
For this Discussion, review this week's media The History of Social Psychology and select three key points in the evolution of social psychology that you feel are paramount to the field. You must include one element of Lewins' influence on situationism. Consider how situationism influenced the other key points you selected and how situationism might influence your current or future work setting.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post by Day 3 a brief description of the three key points in the evolution of social psychology you selected. Include one element of Lewin's influence on situationism. Then explain one way situationism influenced the key points you selected. Finally, explain one way situationism might influence your current or future work setting.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and the current literature.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond by Day 5 to your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Provide an additional core social motive to explain the behavior of the person in the scenario.
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
References:
Allport, G. W. (1954). The historical background of modern social psychology. In G. Lindzey (Ed.), Handbook of social psychology (Vol. 1, 99, 3-56). Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Triplett, N. (1897). The dynoamogenic factors in peacemaking and competition. American Journal of Psychology, 9, 507-533.
According to Fiske (2014), there are "core social motives" that influence human cognition and behavior. The motives include belonging, understanding, controlling, self- enhancing, and trusting, and they are contingent upon an individual's interpretation of any given situation. An individual's cultural values, beliefs, and practices can also affect his or her experiences and perceptions, which can in turn influence an individual's core social motives.
For this Discussion, identify a current event that involves multiple people and focus on one particular person in that event. Consider the core motives of the person in the event that might explain his or her behavior.
Post a brief description of the current event you selected and one individual involved in the current event. Then describe two potential core social motives that might explain the individual's behavior in the event and why. Finally, explain one way you might use core social motives to predict individual behavior within your current field or your field of interest.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and the current literature.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond by Day 7 to your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.
According to Fiske (2014), there are "core social motives" that influence human cognition and behavior. The motives include belonging, understanding, controlling, self- enhancing, and trusting, and they are contingent upon an individual's interpretation of any given situation. An individual's cultural values, beliefs, and practices can also affect his or her experiences and perceptions, which can in turn influence an individual's core social motives.
For this Discussion, identify a current event that involves multiple people and focus on one particular person in that event. Consider the core motives of the person in the event that might explain his or her behavior.
Post a brief description of the current event you selected and one individual involved in the current event. Then describe two potential core social motives that might explain the individual's behavior in the event and why. Finally, explain one way you might use core social motives to predict individual behavior within your current field or your field of interest.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and the current literature.
Read a selection of your colleagues' postings.
Respond by Day 7 to your colleagues' postings in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague's posting.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.