top of page

They observed the responses of passengers.

Social Approach

Psychology Notes

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

Social Approach

The Social Approach to Psychology: Understanding Behaviour Through Interaction

The social approach to psychology focuses on how we interact with each other and how these interactions shape our behaviour, thoughts, and feelings. It's all about the influence of social factors, like groups, culture, and relationships, on our individual experiences.

Think of it like this: You wouldn't act the same way at a crowded concert as you would at a library, right? The social context changes your behaviour!

Key Concepts in the Social Approach

1. Social Influence:

-Conformity: Changing your behaviour to match the group. Imagine being at a party where everyone's wearing a certain trendy outfit. You might feel pressured to conform and wear something similar, even if you don't really like it.

-Obedience: Following instructions from an authority figure, even if you don't agree with them. Think of Milgram's famous experiment, where participants were told to deliver electric shocks to a learner, even if they felt uncomfortable doing so.

-Social Norms: Unwritten rules of behaviour that are considered acceptable within a specific group or culture. We learn these norms from our families, friends, and society. For example, in many cultures, it's considered polite to say "thank you" when someone gives you something.

2. Social Cognition:

-Attribution: Trying to understand the reasons behind people's behaviour. We often make assumptions about why people act in certain ways. Let's say your friend is late for lunch. You might attribute it to traffic, forgetting about the appointment, or a personal problem.

-Stereotypes: Simplified and often inaccurate beliefs about people based on their group membership (gender, race, nationality, etc.). Stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

-Attitudes: Our feelings, beliefs, and behaviours towards something or someone. Attitudes can be shaped by our experiences, social influences, and personal values. For example, you might have a positive attitude towards recycling because you care about the environment.

3. Group Behaviour:

-Social Facilitation: Performing better on simple tasks when others are around. Think about how you might play better in a basketball game when there's a crowd cheering you on.

-Social Loafing: Exerting less effort when working in a group compared to working alone. If you're doing a group project, you might be tempted to let others do more of the work, especially if you feel your individual contribution isn't as noticeable.

-Groupthink: A phenomenon where group members prioritize conformity over critical thinking, leading to poor decision-making. Imagine a group of friends making a big decision without fully considering all the risks and consequences.

Real-World Examples:

-Social Influence: Think about how advertising campaigns use celebrities, influencers, or social media trends to manipulate your buying decisions.

-Social Cognition: Have you ever judged someone based on their appearance or group affiliation? This is a prime example of how stereotypes can affect our judgements.

-Group Behaviour: Consider how teamwork is essential for success in many fields, from sports teams to business organizations. However, groupthink can also be a threat to innovation and creativity.

The Social Approach in Action:

-Bystander Effect: This phenomenon shows how the presence of other people can decrease the likelihood of someone intervening in an emergency situation (think about the famous Kitty Genovese case).

-Social Identity Theory: This theory explains how we build our identity based on our group memberships, and how we might feel prejudice against people from other groups.

-Cognitive Dissonance: This theory explores how we try to reduce internal conflict by changing our beliefs or behaviour when they don't align with each other.

The social approach is a fascinating field of psychology that helps us understand how our social interactions shape our lives. By studying these concepts, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Bonus Notes

Psychology of Crowd Behaviour Essay Answers:

1. Social Approach to Crowd Behaviour:

Strengths: Emphasizes the role of social norms, group dynamics, and social influence in shaping crowd behaviour, providing insights into the "contagion" effect and social influence.

Weaknesses: Can oversimplify complex crowd phenomena, neglecting individual differences and overlooking the influence of individual motivations and cognitive processes.

Alternatives:⭐Contagion Theory (suggests individuals act impulsively, losing individual rationality), Convergence Theory (focuses on shared goals and intentions), Emergent Norm Theory (emphasizes emergence of new norms within the crowd), Deindividuation Theory (suggests anonymity and reduced self-awareness lead to impulsive behaviour).

2. Situational Factors in Crowd Behaviour:

Crowd Size: Larger crowds increase anonymity, diffusion of responsibility, and potential for collective excitement or panic.

Density: Increased density can lead to stress, discomfort, and feelings of claustrophobia, impacting behaviour and increasing the likelihood of conflict or aggression.

Anonymity: Reduced self-awareness and accountability can lead to deindividuation and disinhibition, increasing the likelihood of risky or antisocial behaviour.

3. Ethical Implications of Studying Crowd Behaviour:

Risks: Potential for harm to participants, invasion of privacy, misuse of research findings for manipulation or control.

Benefits: Understanding crowd behaviour can inform strategies for managing crowds, improving safety, and promoting peaceful gatherings.

Responsibilities: Researchers must ensure ethical treatment of participants, obtain informed consent, maintain confidentiality, and disseminate findings responsibly.

4. Practical Applications of Crowd Behaviour Research:

Crowd Management: Informs strategies for managing large crowds effectively, including crowd control measures, evacuation plans, and crowd flow optimization.

Safety Strategies: Helps identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in crowd situations, leading to improved safety measures and emergency response protocols.

5. Current Theories of Crowd Behaviour:

Areas for Further Research: A need for integrated approaches that consider individual and situational factors, more research on the role of technology in crowd behaviour, and examining the impact of cultural influences on crowd dynamics.

Potential Directions for Future Studies: Studying the role of social media in shaping crowd behaviour, examining the influence of individual psychological factors, and exploring the dynamics of crowd mobilization and collective action.

bottom of page