Psychology 2070A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Hypnosis, The Need, Toothpaste

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2070A/B
• Professor: Taylor Kohut

Document Summary

Chapter 1 note - introduction to social psychology. Social psychology as the scientific study of the way in which people"s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. Social psychology is the phenomenon of social influence, we are all influenced by other people. When we think of social influence, the kinds of examples that readily come to mind are direct attempts at persuasion, whereby one person deliberately tries to change another person"s behaviour. Direct attempts at persuasion also occur when our friends try to get us to do something we don"t really want to do. Social influence extends beyond behaviour it includes our thoughts and feelings, as well as our overt acts. Social influence takes on many forms other than deliberate attempts at persuasion. We are often influenced merely by the presence of other people. Even when we are not in the physical presence of other people, we are still influence by them.