Running Head Social Psychology ✓ Solved

Social psychology is one of the main branches of psychology that deals with how the social relationship determines behavior patterns, actions, feelings, and thinking patterns. It involves individuals' perception of their lives and relationships towards the entire society. Social psychology characteristics play a big role in making choices, beliefs, and behaviors when facing social problems. It allows people to have different opinions, which either positively or negatively affect society. Gordon Allport, a psychologist, uses scientific methods to explain and understand how individuals' behavior, feelings, and thoughts are influenced by the implied, imagined, and actual presence of other people.

Social psychology determines how a person's behavior is influenced by the social environment when behavior is taking place. Individuals have a dramatic influence on the choices they make. For instance, consider how behavior changes when someone is alone compared to being in a crowd. This behavioral difference is evident even in workplaces where individuals act differently when alone versus when supervisors or colleagues are present.

Incident

One significant incident I witnessed related to social psychology was a murder case of a young lady in a busy town where I had worked for two months in a big restaurant. One afternoon, I observed two unfamiliar gentlemen arguing with the lady across the road. Despite the busy environment, many people appeared unconcerned with the argument. Anxious about the situation, I soon watched in horror as the gentlemen began to sexually assault the lady. Even as she screamed for help, no one intervened.

The situation escalated when one of the assailants retrieved a knife and stabbed the lady multiple times. Although she managed to break free momentarily, the assailants caught up with her and continued to attack. In that moment, I empathized with her plight and tried to rescue her. However, one of the assailants retaliated by throwing an object at me, narrowly missing and causing injury to my eye. Ultimately, the assailants fled the scene, and the lady succumbed to her injuries.

Emotions and Social Behavior

The incident reflects how emotions impact social behavior. Social psychology shows that emotions play a pivotal role in how we interact with others, influencing our decisions and actions in critical situations. While earlier research focused on individual emotional responses, contemporary studies acknowledge that emotions are inherently social components elicited within the context of our relationships with others.

In my case, my decision to intervene was driven by emotional response. Witnessing harassment violates societal norms, prompting a natural inclination to assist. In such moments, individuals often overlook the dangers involved, leading to decisions that may seem irrational yet stem from a profound emotional drive.

Aggression and Violence

Aggression, defined in social psychology, refers to behaviors intended to harm individuals unwillingly. Various forms of aggression exist, ranging from verbal outbursts to physical confrontation. Understanding aggression is crucial, as some harmful actions do not constitute aggression, such as accidental injuries during sports or medical procedures.

The violence exhibited by the assailants in this incident exemplifies aggression within social psychology. Their actions were aimed at harming someone who posed no threat to them and highlighted the serious implications of violent behavior within societal contexts. This incident raised awareness of the complexities surrounding aggression, distinguishing between intentional malice and unintentional harm.

Attitude and Responsibility

Social psychology also explores attitudes—emotional and psychological constructs shaped by experiences. Attitudes influence how individuals respond to various situations, including emergencies. Research shows that people are less likely to take personal responsibility for helping in crowded environments; this diffusion of responsibility can lead to a lack of action when assistance is critically needed.

The bystander effect was evident during the assault. Despite pleas for help, bystanders failed to act, likely due to social psychology’s crowd dynamics and individual accountability dilution. This phenomenon emphasizes the need for understanding social influences on personal behavior, especially in emergencies.

Altruism and Selflessness

Altruism, characterized by unselfish concern for others, plays a vital role in social psychology. It embodies the desire to help without expecting rewards. In the face of danger, altruistic actions, like my attempt to help the assaulted lady, can endanger the rescuer’s safety but are rooted in genuine compassion.

Understanding altruism through a social psychology lens reveals the intricate motivations behind helping behavior, challenging individuals to act in service of others, regardless of personal risks. This insight reinforces the importance of empathy and community in fostering social responsibility.

Conclusion

Through the study of social psychology, individuals gain a deeper understanding of how social relationships influence behavior and decision-making. Insights into emotions, aggression, attitude, and altruism highlight the complexities of human interactions and the necessity of fostering positive relationships within society.

References

• Hogg, M. A., & Tindale, R. S. (2008). Social Psychology. New York: Psychology Press.
• Parkinson, B., & Manstead, A. S. R. (2015). Emotions in Social Relations: Cultural, Group, and Interpersonal Processes. Psychology Press.
• Archer, J., & Coyne, S. M. (2005). An Evolutionary Perspective on Female Aggression. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10(3), 345-353.
• Richardson, D. R., & Baron, R. A. (1994). Aggression: Their Causes and Consequences. New York: Psychology Press.
• Wagner, W., & Rush, S. (2000). The Psychology of Altruism: Social-cognitive Factors. Journal of Social Issues, 56(2), 241-260.
• Brown, R. (2012). Group Processes: Dynamics Within and Between Groups. John Wiley & Sons.
• Latane, B., & Darley, J. M. (1970). The Unresponsive Bystander: Why Doesn’t He Help? Psychology Today.
• Dixon, J., & Mahendran, K. (2012). Crowd Psychology: Individuals within a Crowd. International Journal of Psychology, 47(3), 195-202.
• Perry, J. (2009). Understanding Bystander Behavior in Critical Situations. Sociological Inquiry, 79(2), 240-260.
• Keller, J. (2012). Altruistic Behavior: The Role of Social Influence. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21(3), 178-183.