INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL

PSYCHOLOGY: THE NATURE

OF HUMAN INQUIRY
Please note the following:
• (1) Sociology is a “generalizing discipline”, which means we generalize. What’s
anathema to sociologists is “overgeneralization”!
• (2) We will continue to deal with very controversial and even emotional issues in
this class. Saddle up! Come equipped to argue with respect.
• (3) I will continue to use jokes and sarcasm to transmit important information and
to liven up the class. I’ll try to let you know when I use jokes, sarcasm, hyperbole,
etc. If in doubt, please ask me.
• (4) Please come chat with me if you misunderstand anything in any of our
encounters throughout the semester.
 SYLLABUS
QUESTIONS?
A. Ways of Knowing

• ==We live in a world of at least TWO

realities; so, we have TWO key ways of
knowing:
•(i) Experiential (1st hand)&
•(ii) Agreement (2nd hand).
(i) EXPERIENTIAL (1st hand knowledge)

•(a) Strengths:
•….
Experiential knowledge…
(b) Weaknesses:
• (1) Inaccurate observations
• (2) Overgeneralization
• (3) Selective Observation
• (4) Deduced information
• (5) Illogical reasoning (The "gambler's fallacy")
• (6) Ego involvement in understanding
• (7) The premature closure of inquiry
• (8) The mystification of residuals
(ii) AGREEMENT (2nd hand knowledge)

There are three types:

(1) Authority
(2) Tradition
(3) Science
(1) Authority
• ==>(a) Strengths:
(1) Trusting experts saves us time, effort, etc.
• (b) Weaknesses:
(1) Experts sometimes LIE, make MISTAKES, etc.
(2) We become LAZY, partly due to “status generalization.”
With experts around, our search for knowledge is sometimes hindered
due to "status generalization"--when we accept the authority of
experts speaking outside of their realm of expertise.
(2) Tradition
• ==> (a) Strengths:
(1) No need to reinvent the wheel.
We are spared the overwhelming task of reinventing the wheel.

(2) Easier to interact with our contemporaries.

(3) Easier for us to discover new things.
Since knowledge is cumulative, tradition makes it easier for us to "discover" new things--standing on the shoulders of
previous generations.

• ==> (b) Weaknesses:

(1) It may not dawn on us to seek new understandings.
(2) May be labelled a FOOL or mentally ill if you question authority.
If you seek new understandings of the taken-for-granteds you may be labelled a FOOL and/or sent to a mental hospital.
(3) Science
• ==> (a) Strengths:
(1) Helps us overcome most of the weaknesses
mentioned above.
• ==> (b) Weaknesses:
(1) Cannot provide adequate answers to life's
fundamental questions.
B. Scientific Enterprise

•“The whole of science is nothing more

than a refinement of everyday thinking.”
EINSTEIN.
 Science
•  A flat Universe.
 Ideal Characteristics of Science
• 1. EMPIRICAL--ie, careful observation.
sc is based on

• 2. FORMAL METHODOLOGY --verification by peers is possible, at least in

principle.
• 3. ACCUMULATION OF FACTS and GENERALIZATIONS
 Knowledge is never lost, although it may be re-interpreted.
• 4. EXPLANATORY ("A body of THEORY)-- describes and then uses laws &
sc

theories to explain.
• 5. PREDICTIVE.
 Three Assumptions of Science
• (1) There is a real external world.
• (2) Relationships in the world are based on
Cause and Effect.
• (3) Knowledge about the world is objective
—ie, facts can be discovered & verified.
What is Social Psychology?
•Systematic study of the nature and
causes of human social behavior.
The Core
Concerns of Social
Psychology
Is Social Psych a Science?
•  Social Psych is a science b/c it (a) has all the FIVE
characteristics of Science (Empirical, etc) & (b) it
accepts the THREE assumptions of a scientific
discipline (Real world, Causes & Effects, & knowledge
is objective).
•  Social Psych bridges the gap between Sociology
and Psychologyand is sometimes viewed as
interdisciplinary.
The TWO Social Psychologies
In general, Psychology deals with what goes on within
individuals while Sociology deals with what goes on between
individuals.
• Psychological Social psych is similar to mainstream Sociology
b/c studies are generally conducted within SOCIAL SETTINGS.
• But Psych Soc Psych differs from Sociology b/c it generally
concentrates on INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR without much
reference to (a) CULTURE and (b) HOW INDIVIDUAL
BEHAVIOR IS SOCIALLY ORGANIZED and DIRECTED.
Sociology, Psychology, or Both? (Source: DeLamater Social Psych
textbook)
Definition Focus
Sociology The scientific study • Social institutions
of human society • Stratification
• Social processes
• Structure of social units
Psychology The scientific study • Human • Intelligence
of the individual learning • Emotions
and of individual • Perception • Motivation
behavior • Memory • personality

Sociological • Relationships between

Social Psychology individuals and the groups they
The scientific study
belong to
of the nature and
Psychological causes of human • How social stimuli (often other
Social Psychology social behavior persons) affect individual’s
behavior and internal states
-->Limitations of Psych Social Psych

• (i) Since cultural differences are ignored,

psychology tends to lead to CULTURE-BOUND,
ETHNOCENTRIC EXPLANATIONS OF HUMAN
BEHAVIOR.
• (ii) Since psychologists tend to ignore the larger
social structure (institutions, etc), their explanations
tend to ignore the influence of POWER, COERCION,
FREEDOM OF CHOICE, etc on human behavior.
Methodological Differences b/w the two social
psychs
•Psych Social Psychs rely heavily on LAB
experimental methods.
•Sociological Social Psychs rely heavily on
SURVEYS.
Commonalities b/w The TWO Social Psychologies

• The main concern of ALL social Psychologists

is HUMAN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR.
• In particular, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGISTS DEAL
WITH FIVE MAIN CONCERNS…as discussed
in your textbook. 
The Core
Concerns of Social
Psychology
SOURCES:
• Babbie, The Practice of Social Research.
• DeLamater, Social Psychology.
The End
SOURCES:
• Babbie, The Practice of Social Research.
• DeLamater, Social Psychology.