14 Social Psychology

Survivor contestants battled for a reward in a 2008 episode of the perennially popular TV series. Are reality television shows’ high ratings fueled by viewers’ fascination with human social behavior?

What is social psychology?

• Social psychology examines how the thoughts, actions, and behavior of individuals influence and are influenced by groups.

What cognitive processes underlie social behavior?

• Social cognition focuses on the underlying processes, such as attention and memory, that make social behavior possible. Biological structures and processes in the brain help us navigate our social environment.
• The fusiform face area of the brain allows us to recognize faces
• The amygdala is involved in social category processing.
• The superior temporal sulcus processes biological motions.
• Mirror neurons in the inferior frontal gyrus help us feel empathy.

How does social influence affect our thoughts and actions?

• Through social pressure, social influence can lead people to conform, obey, and mimic others.
• Social influence affects performance and plays a role in persuasion.

How are social relations influenced by psychological phenomena?

• Fear and anger can affect social relations through prejudice, stereotyping, and conflict.
• Self-conscious emotions such as guilt can lead to social repair.
• Group relations can be improved through cooperation and altruism.