Respond to 2 Classmates Posts for Social Psychology Course

Respond to 2 Classmates Posts for Social Psychology Course

Respond to 2 Classmates Posts for Social Psychology Course WITH AT LEAST 3 PARAGRAPHS EACH…NO PLAGIARISM…CITE COURSE BOOK: Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H.R. (2017). Social Psychology. 10th edition. Cengage Learning: Boston, MA.

(please do not say things like “the student said”, INSTEAD act as though you are me and write things like “you made a good point when…)

POST 1:

Scientific Discipline

In your discussion post, use your unit readings to address these items:

1. Debate both sides of this question: Is social psychology a science?

Social psychology is considered a science because the definition for science can be applied to it. Science is a system for gaining knowledge through observation and experimentation to explain natural phenomena (Henriques, 2016). Studying how individuals act in given environments, would be gaining knowledge of various phenomenon. More specifically, to be considered science it needs to have these four elements; scientific mindset, scientific method, science knowledge system, and science as a rhetorical label (Henriques, 2016). For academic psychologists, they use systematic observations, measuring hypothesis, gathering data, research design, and so forth the same as any other science (Henriques, 2016).

Due to the differences in the way science is conducted, scientists often feel frustrated when put in the same category as social psychologists (Henriques, 2016). The difference falls into the core of psychology, which is the fact that there is no cumulative body or core concepts that are agreed upon by psychology experts (Henriques, 2016). One example of this, is that social psychologists include research with animals as part of the field, while others declare that it is not relevant to the field (Henriques, 2016). Another argument is that psychologists are so busy defending their field with data and information, that they leave out wisdom and knowledge (Henriques, 2016).

1. Choose an area of research in social psychology of interest to you (in terms of pursuing research or applying the information to your current or future professional setting), justify your reasoning for this choice, and evaluate two ethical issues you might expect to arise within this area.

Narrowing down a few areas of study within social psychology is difficult. The most relevant to my future work as a clinical psychologist would likely be research surrounding social identity, since most of my work will be with individuals or small groups providing psychotherapy. For gathering research surrounding social identity, an ethical issue may arise from the level of intimacy between researcher and participant. Another possible ethical issue could arise from qualitative research regarding social identity is for the observations to be skewed (Sanjari et al., 2014). Minimizing flaws in observation is crucial in order to have accurate results (Sanjari et al., 2014).

Thank you,

Brittany King

References:

Henriques, G. (2016, January 27). The “is psychology a science?” debate. Retrieved fromhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-knowledge/201601/the-is-psychology-science-debate

Sanjari, M., Bahramnezhad, F., Fomani, F. K., Shoghi, M., & Cheraghi, M. A. (2014). Ethical challenges of researchers in qualitative studies: the necessity to develop a specific guideline. Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 7, 14.

POST 2:

Is social psychology a science? This question is a good one because you have to look at what the definition of what this word is. Based on Kassin (2017), the definition of social psychology is the “scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in a social context” (pg. 6). Based on this, I would have to say that social psychology is a science based on the idea of research being used to study how humans interact within a social level. When you think of the various aspects of social psychology such as interpersonal relationships, self and social identity, violence and aggression, and even the influence that society can play on individuals, a psychologist has to be able to study the various things such as situations and outcomes that can take place in a person’s life.

The area of research that I am interested in would be the area of self and social identity when it comes to middle/high school age children. The reason for this topic is based on my personal experience working within the school sector of dealing with this age group on a regular basis. I have noticed that some children will do things in order to fit in with others because they have not been able to identify who they really are. They allow others areas to influence their decisions such as the use of peer pressure, media, drugs, and even alcohol. I have found an article written by Lloyd that speaks on adolescent identity, media influence, and social development. A summary of this tells of mass communication of media can be both a positive and negative influence when it comes to young peoples behavior and cognitive development. What I am expecting to find is that young people that see or hear positive influence when it comes to how the media portrays it will show that they will be to individual who they are and become positive role models for others. The negative aspect of it would be that media would influence young people to do things based on the enviroment they are in.

Reference

Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H.R. (2017). Social Psychology. 10th edition. Cengage Learning: Boston, MA.

Lloyd, B.T. (2002). The conceptual framework of examining adolescent identity, media influence, and social development. Review of General Psychology. Vol 6, No. 1