Summary: Applied Social Psychology | 9780521690058 | Linda Steg

Read the summary and the most important questions on Applied Social Psychology | 9780521690058 | Linda Steg.

• 1 Introduction to applied social psychology

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• 1.1 Introduction: social problems and human cognition and behaviour

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• What is the first step to designing effective solutions for social problems?

  We have to understand which behaviour causes the given problem. Applied scientists should focus on those aspects of a social problem where intervention would have the most impact in resolving these problems.

• When do behavior change programs become more effective?

  When they target important antecedents of behavior. We need to know and understand which factors cause behavior in order to change it.

• What is the role of applied social scientists?

  They decide which problem to study, which variables to concentrate on and decide what kind of interventions to use in managing the problem.

• 1.2 Definition of applied social psychology

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• What is applied social psychology?

  Applied social psychology is the systematic application of social psychological constructs, principles, theories, intervention techniques and research methods to understand or ameliorate social problems.

• What is a construct?

  A construct is a clearly defined individual (psychological) characteristic that is generally latent and thus not directly observable, but it can be assessed through interviews or questionnaires. E.g. attitudes, values, social norms.

• What is a principle?

  A principle is a statement of how a psychological process works. Principles describe basic processes by which humans think, feel and act.

• What is a theory?

  A theory is a set of principles that describes, explains and predicts observed events. Theories provide explanations for our observations and help us predict future events.

• 1.3.1 Developing and testing theories

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• How do applied social psychologists contribute to the development and testing of theories?

  Applied social psychology can contribute fruitfully to basic psychological principles, theories and intervention techniques, because studies in field settings provide the ultimate test of validity of theories.

• 1.3.2 Basic and applied social psychology as science

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• What are scientific methods?

  Scientific methods are those methods that depend on empirical tests, i.e. the use of systematic observations to evaluate propositions and ideas.

• What are the values needed to qualify a study as scientific in nature?

  - Accuracy: information should be gathered and evaluated as carefully examined, precise and as error-free as possible.

  -Objectivity: minimize bias in obtaining and evaluating data.

  -Scepticism: findings should be accepted as accurate only to the extent that they have been verified over and over again.

  -Open-mindedness: accept evidence as valid, even if the evidence is not consistent with one's initial beliefs and theories.