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Psy/400 Social Psychology

In: Philosophy and Psychology

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Social Psychology
Social psychology is the division of psychology that studies the social structure that surrounds an individual and his interactions as a social being. At times social psychology is confused with other disciplines closely related. Sometimes overlapping does occur into other disciplines but social psychology keeps focus on social environment and how it affects one another. Social psychology is reinforced with scientific methods and research that helps to differ from other divisions of psychology and keeps its own focus on structure, terminology, methods, and goals.
Social psychology is about understanding individual behavior in a social environment and how it affects one another. It deals with how and why individuals feel, think, and do the things they do depending upon the social context (Myers, 2010). Social psychologist study, love and hate, conformity and independence, attitudes and beliefs. Understanding social psychology is very important because it gives a clear perception of how stereotyping takes formation in certain situations such as why racism and sexism subsist, how individuals fall in love, and how an individual can change into an entirely different person in a particular situation (Myers, 2010) .
Social psychology is different in comparison to other disciplines such as clinical psychology, general psychology, and sociology because it focuses on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior affected by the existence of others. Its concern is in regard to social interactions, relationships, or by groups. Social psychologists do not treat people with emotional or mental problems as does the clinical psychologist (Myers, 2010).
Clinical psychology focuses on the study of health disorders, treatment of mental patients, and diagnosis. Principles and research are applied to provide diagnosis and treat patients with emotional illness

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