SOC10722 Lecture 1: What Is Social Psychology?
Introduction to Social Psychology
Lecture 1: Introduction to Course
• What is social psychology?
o Social psychology is the systematic study of:
▪ Individuals in relationship with other individuals
▪ Individuals in groups
• Influence of the group on the individual
• Influence of the individual on the group
▪ Groups in relationship to each other
• The Social Construction of Reality (Berger and Luckman, 1966)
o Over time, people create cognitions (mental “buckets”) of their own and others’
behaviors.
o These cognitions are incorporated into:
▪ Habits
▪ Reciprocal role expectations
o These roles are communicated and opened to other members of society (i.e.
institutionalized).
o Meaning is woven into the overall fabric of society.
