Social Psychology Essay -- Psychology, Natural Science

There are many explanations for the origins of fresh affectionate psychology. It is therefore important to consider that kindly psychology cannot be traced back to one single source of origin (Burr, 2003). Hence, this is the reason wherefore there are debates of what social psychology is. Allport (1985) described social psychology as the study an individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviours which are influenced by the actual, imagines, or implied presence of others. As seen from this definition there is a direct tie in between social science and the individual psychology (Sewell, 1989). Social psychology cannot be seen as a linear phenomenon. This is because social psychology has been derived from a combination of influences. The development of social psychology can be discussed in two incompatible ways. Firstly, social psychology is argued to be found upon semi semipolitical movements and social philosophies in the United Stated of America (US). Secondly, it can be argued that social psychology has developed in response to social and political needs. There have been debates regarding whether social psychology should be dealt as a natural science or not. The ideology of natural science is actually important as it affects the way the social psychologist deals with the situations. For example, if there are particular proposition scientific objectives then the study can be laboratory base and use experimental procedures in order to gain knowledge. Psychologists who use this prescribed method are classified as experimental social psychologists. On the other hand, critical-social psychologists have competed with the experimental-social psychologists. The strength of the critical-social psychologists is that theyve used a range of different methods in research, and have... ...ocial psychology now has a great impact on social cognitive approach. Social cognition includes attribution, stereotypes, autism, (Striano & Reid, 2008). The European roots of soc ial psychology have led to social constructionism and social representation. The modern social psychology is now constructed with the American and European doctrines. However, due to the political events and ontogenesis researches in social psychology, the disciple has only been able to contain deep down America (Cartwright, 1979). On the other hand, Gergen (1973) argued that social psychology cannot be taken as a science because social psychology is historically and culturally specific, which is the reason why the discipline is continuously changing. Critically speaking, there is an improvement of different approaches to social psychology, as it views dilemmas in different perspectives.