What is social psychology? Career paths and more

In 1954, 12 excited young boys set off for a summer camp in Oklahoma, USA. What they didn’t know at the time was that they would forever be consigned to the pages of history.

The children were part of a social psychology study now known as the Robbers Cave experiment. Under the direction of Turkish social psychologist Muzafer Sherif, the experiment set out to prove that it would only take a matter of days before innocent youths would be at each other’s throats. They were expected to turn vicious.

The study had all the hallmarks of William Golding’s chilling best-selling novel Lord of the Flies. But the experiment didn’t turn out like the book. Although initial tensions were present, the researchers found that the conflicts between the two groups were reduced when the boys started working towards shared goals.

This experiment touches on the core of what social psychology is and how we can use it to inform our understanding of human behaviour. Professionals working in social psychology examine interpersonal relationships and how the presence of others affects our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Let’s dive in.

What is social psychology?

Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel and behave in a social context.

Drawing on scientific methods, social psychologists seek to understand issues like conformity and obedience, gender identity and group processes. This science encompasses a wide range of topics and questions, including:

• Social influence: how do we influence each other?
• Social cognition: what affects the way we perceive ourselves and others?
• Social interaction: why do we like, love, help and hurt others?

Social psychology focuses on the psychology of individuals. This differentiates it from sociology, which tends to classify people based on group factors such as nationality, race or class.

Humans are social beings and our social relationships are extremely important to us. From the moment we’re born, our world is made up of other people – parents, siblings, relatives and later friends, colleagues and neighbours. The constant presence of others in our lives helps shape our attitudes and place within the social order.

A brief history of social psychology

Records show that early influences in social psychology go back to ancient philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato. 

However, the discipline as we know it today began in the 1880s. Max Ringelmann is possibly the first scientist to conduct social psychology research. In what became known as the “Ringelmann effect”, Ringelmann observed the tendency for people to be less productive as their group size increased.

Another early key figure is American psychologist Norman Triplett, who produced the first published article on social psychology at the end of the 19th century. His findings related to observing cyclists and their tendency to race faster in the presence of others than when alone.

It wasn’t until World War II that social psychology really cemented its place in the sciences and became influential. For many, these events posed challenging questions about the nature of violence, genocide, conformity and obedience, and there was increased interest in social psychology as a way of exploring these questions.

New theories began to emerge, such as Gestalt psychologist Kurt Lewin’s field theory, which suggested that people’s individual traits and the environment interact to cause their behaviours.

One of the best-known social psychology studies of the 20th century involved Stanley Milgram’s shock machine. In 1961, the study advertised for 500 ordinary men to take part in a memory test. What they were really signing up for was an obedience experiment in which participants were ordered to give strong electric shocks to learners who failed to answer test questions correctly.

Today, social psychology has rapidly expanded, and social psychologists address a vast array of compelling questions about ourselves and our social world.

Key theories and research methods of social psychology

Social psychologists rely on several key theories and research methods to understand human behaviour in social situations.

Social psychology theories

Here’s a snapshot of the three main categories of social psychology theories:

Social perception

Social perception is how individuals form impressions and make inferences about others based on factors like their facial expressions, body language and context. Attribution theory plays a crucial role in understanding this process, explaining how people assign causes to behaviour, whether internal (personality) or external (situational).

Social perception is at the heart of biases, stereotyping and interpersonal judgments, as people often use mental shortcuts when interpreting others’ actions. Understanding how this process works can help influence how we communicate and make decisions, as accurate perceptions have a positive impact on social interactions and relationships.

Attitudes and behaviours

Attitudes are evaluations of or feelings about objects, people or ideas that guide behaviour. These attitudes are shaped by personal experiences and social influences.

The theory of planned behaviour suggests that behaviour is determined by attitudes, norms and perceived control. However, discrepancies between attitudes and actions can occur, such as when someone values the environment but does not consistently engage in eco-friendly practices.

Cognitive dissonance theory explains that when attitudes and behaviours conflict, individuals experience discomfort, prompting them to make changes to restore consistency.

Social relations

Social relations are shaped by norms, roles and expectations that influence status within groups. These dynamics guide how individuals behave in various contexts, such as in family, work, or social groups.

Group dynamics, social influence and interpersonal attraction are critical areas of study within social relations, exploring how group membership and expectations impact individual actions.

Social relations studies also address conflict resolution, cooperation and status within hierarchies, helping to explain how people navigate societal structures.

Social psychology research methods

The key social psychology research methods include the following:

Descriptive research

Descriptive research is focused on gathering information on individuals or groups through surveys, polls or observation to create a snapshot of their views or behaviours.

This method is useful for identifying trends and patterns but does not determine cause-and-effect relationships. By describing social phenomena in detail, it lays the groundwork for future studies.

Correlational research

Correlational research examines the relationship between two variables, such as self-esteem and academic performance, without manipulation. 
While this method can show associations between the variables, it cannot establish causality. The results of this type of research help to determine links between variables, offering insights for further experimental research.

Experimental research

Experimental research involves manipulating variables to test cause-and-effect relationships. By controlling conditions and randomly assigning participants to categories, researchers can determine the impact of one factor on another.

Although highly effective in establishing causality, experimental research can face ethical concerns and may not always replicate real-world settings.

Meta-analysis

Meta-analysis is a statistical approach that combines results from multiple studies on a specific topic. It allows researchers to identify trends and assess the overall strength of relationships among variables.

While meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview, the quality of individual studies and publication bias can affect its results. Despite this, meta-analysis remains essential for synthesising research findings.

Career outcomes in social psychology

Social psychology offers many diverse career paths. As a social psychology graduate, you might become a consultant, marketing director, manager or political strategist. Alternatively, you might choose to pursue an academic or research-related career pathway in social psychology by undertaking a higher research degree.

Here’s a look at three types of career paths you can pursue if you study social psychology as part of your psychology degree.

Human-centred roles

Human-centred roles that you can pursue with a psychology degree include: 

• Human resources specialist
• Public relations specialist
• Technology designer
• Marketing manager
• Researcher
• Political strategist
• Communications specialist
• Probation or parole officer
• Sales professional
• Childcare worker.

Leadership roles

Leadership roles that you can pursue with a psychology degree include: 

• Consultant
• Educator or lecturer 
• Policymaker.

Psychology roles

Psychology roles that you can pursue with a psychology degree include: 

• Industrial relations psychologist
• Organisational psychologist
• Case manager
• Counsellor
• Educational and developmental psychologist
• Social worker
• Welfare support worker
• Academia.

Why study psychology with JCU Online?

JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) course is designed with the future in mind. It focuses on rapid technological advances, evolving global health needs, and rising complex social and environmental challenges – through the lens of social psychology.

The unique curriculum is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and offers subjects in Environmental Psychology as well as Health, Wellbeing and Resilience.

Learn more about JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) by visiting the website or reaching out to a Student Enrolment Advisor today on 1300 535 919.