PYB202 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Informed Consent, American Psychological Association, Statistical Significance
4 Jul 2013
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Document Summary
Social psychology has been defined as the scientific investigation of how the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of others" (allport 1954) Social psychologists are interested in explaining human behaviour and generally do not study animals. This said, some of the general principles of social psychology can be applicable to animals, and research on animals may provide evidence for processes that apply to people too. Social psychologists study behaviour because it can be observed and measured. However, the term behaviour refers not only to obvious motor actions such as kissing or running, but also to more subtle actions such as a raised eyebrow, what we say or the way we dress. Behaviour is not the only thing social psychologists are interested in they also study thoughts, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, intentions and goals.
