Introduction to Social Psychology

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

            : SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY:

The branch of psychology which studies the individual's behaviour in social context is called as social psychology. Social psychology is a very important branch of psychology, combining the elements from two strong discipline ---- sociology and psychology.

Psychology studies behaviour which is a result of individual's thoughts and feelings, but individual's thoughts and feelings are inferred from his e pressed or overt behaviour. Behaviours which include learning, problem solving, perceiving are the 'overt behaviour', on the other hand, behaviours like dreaming, imaging, memorising represent 'convert behaviour'.

There is another category of behaviour. Behaviour which is result or caused by or occurs because o other's presence or influence is called social behaviour. This social behaviour is of great significance to social psychology. Whenever our psychological processes of perceiving, learning, motivating, decision making etc. are influenced by or a result of or related to / or occur in a social context, these processes are called a social perception, social learning, social motivations, group conformity respectively. These behaviours which have a social context and occur in social environment and involve social stimuli are the main subject matter of social psychology.

● Social Behaviour :

This would make us understand social behaviour in terms of the significance of 'others' in our life, as most of our time of the day is spent in interacting with other members of our family or society. A careful look at these 'social interaction' would make it very clear that in many of these interactions, our behaviour is influenced by others and we influence other's behaviour. A major part of our behaviour occurs in a social context, as well as in an environment involving 'others'.

● Social Interaction :

Human being live, grow and strive within the close interpersonal relationship. Many of our needs are satisfied in this social context. In satisfying the neds one establishes contacts, co-operates with other people and adjusts with other members of the society. Actions that are performed by the individual in relation to the members of the society are called 'Social Actions and Interaction' as these actions affect two or more individuals.  This results in action, social actions and interaction. This interaction with others is called 'Social Interaction' and this social interaction is the basis of establishing lasting relationship in life. Two mechanisms underlie every social interaction, these are:

1. Social interaction requires a social contact or social relationship: Every social situation involves social contact at least between two people without which no interaction can take place. This contact may be direct or indirect and can have negative and positive impact. Positive social contact gives rise to pro-social behaviour like co-operation, organisation as simulation, adjustment, adaptation and accommodation. Negative social contact may retract a person away from entering into social interaction and even if he/she 'has to', it results in unhelpful social behaviours like unhealthy competition, aggression etc.
2. Social interaction involves communication: Social interaction between any two individuals involves some form of communication that is verbal or non-verbal without which the social interaction cannot take place. As is known, social interaction takes place at three levels, (i) Individual to individual, (ii) Individual to groups, and (iii) Group to group level.

● Social Influence :

Each one of us depends on others to satisfy , many of our day to day needs --- food, clothing, housing, love, security. This interdependence produces interaction between persons. In the course of this interaction an individual is influenced by parents, friends, teachers and they are also in turn influenced by the person. Thus other people affect and influence our outlook, our belief, our values and so on. Such influence are exerted directly and deliberately, subtly and implied.

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