PSY 530 1-2 Short Paper

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Psychology

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Feb 20, 2024

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PSY 530-X2229 Social Psychology 1-2 Short Paper: Significant Contributor Amber Brown Dr. Laura Green 12/01/23

The field of psychology has made significant transformations throughout history, they have evolved from philosophical inquiries to multifaceted scientific discipline. After reading the passage I intend on explaining how psychology has changed over the course of history, focusing on the evolution of social psychology. The origins of psychology can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who delved into the complexities of human nature and behavior. It has been said that Aristotle was the first psychologist as his practices included trying to understand how social environment affects individuals (Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J. (Eds.). (2010). We today use Aristotle’s theory to explain nature versus nurture and its influences on human geography, education, academic disciplines and more. Plato believed in the existence of an immaterial world of perfect objects and ideas. This means that he believed reality exists beyond our physical world. Socrates believed that no one does bad things involuntarily. If people knew right from wrong, they would choose to do the right thing. Individuals choose what we believe to be best. When discussing the various parts of psychology Wilhelm Wundt, often considered the father of psychology, established the first experimental psychology laboratory in 1879, focusing on the analysis of mental processes through introspection his specialty was structuralism (Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J. (Eds.). (2010). Functionalism in psychology is often accredited to William James who was seen to expand the scope of psychology by introducing functionalism, emphasizing the adaptive functions of consciousness and behavior. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory searched into the unconscious mind, highlighting the influence of repressed thoughts and childhood experiences on behavior. Now to investigate the history of social psychology. The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked the emergence of social psychology as a distinct discipline. Past psychologists like Gustave Le Bon and William McDougall explored crowd behavior and the influence of

groups on individual behavior (Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J. (Eds.). (2010). Kurt Lewin explained the holistic perspective in social psychology back in 1935. His theory was the importance of studying the whole experience rather than breaking it into isolated components. Lewin's field theory laid the groundwork for understanding group dynamics and social interactions. Albert Bandura contribution the field of social psychology started back on the 1960’s where his theory explained that what and how we learn is based on what we see caused by the direct experience of the environment we are in. Leon Festinger back in 1957 came up with the cognitive dissonance theory stating that when people experience different beliefs which are inconsistent it causes negative cognitive arousal. This theory goes on to examine how individuals perceive, interpret, and remember social information. This theory developed in the 1970’s social identity theory, developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner, contributed to an understanding of how individuals develop their identity from the groups to which they belong to. This theory influenced the study of intergroup relations and prejudice (Baumeister, R. F., & Finkel, E. J. (Eds.). (2010). The constant evolution of psychology and how it continues to be expanded as we continue to grow has been more than we can possibly research. Here I have provided a couple more theories and contributions into the field of social psychology. The 1980s saw a growing recognition of the importance of cultural influences on social behavior. Researchers began to explore cultural variations in psychological phenomena, challenging the notion of universal principles and emphasizing the need for cross-cultural perspectives. In the 1990’s Evolutionary psychology began to influence social psychology, with researchers exploring how evolutionary processes might shape social behaviors and cognition. The rise of technology starting in the 2000’s has transformed research methodologies and the ways in which social interactions occur. Online platforms and virtual environments provide new opportunities for studying social

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behavior, communication, and identity. Social psychology has become increasingly interdisciplinary, integrating insights from neuroscience, sociology, and other fields. This approach allows for a better understanding of the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors. Contemporary social psychology places a strong emphasis on understanding the experiences of diverse populations. Researchers explore how social psychological principles apply across diverse cultural, gender, and socio-economic contexts, promoting a more inclusive approach to the study of human behavior. It is hard to give credit to just one person in the development of psychology since so many people have contributed to the advancement and understanding of social psychology. Kurt Lewin stands out as the most significant contributor. Lewin's pioneering work in the 20th century laid the foundation for modern social psychology (Burnes, 2019) . Kurt Lewin is often considered the "father of social psychology" due to his groundbreaking work that laid the foundation for the field. Lewin, who was trained in Gestalt psychology, explained the importance of understanding human behavior as a whole rather than isolated components. This holistic approach influenced his later work in social psychology, making him one of the most remembered of our lifetime I believe. Lewin introduced the concept of field theory, which explored the idea that an individual's behavior is a function of both their personality and the environment (Burnes, 2019) . This perspective laid the groundwork for the study of group dynamics and social interactions. Lewin's action research approach involved collaborating with individuals to identify and solve real-world problems. All of this contributed to the holistic approach (Burnes, 2019) . This emphasis on practical applications helped close the gap between theory and practice in social psychology. Lewin conducted studies on leadership styles, introducing the concepts of autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership (Burnes, 2019) which I need to do more research into.

This work contributed to the understanding of group dynamics and organizational behavior. Lewin's ideas and methodologies have had a lasting impact on various areas, including group dynamics, social influence, and organizational psychology (Burnes, 2019) . Lewin invented the three-step model in the 1940’s. This model was called unfreeze, change and refreeze. The theory behind this model was to explain how the human mind works and respond to change. Lewin was so influential because his exposure to Gestalt principles influenced his perspective on studying human behavior, leading him to approach psychology with a holistic viewpoint. One of Lewin's most significant contributions was the development of field theory (Burnes, 2019) . Field theory suggests that an individual's behavior is a function of both their personality and the environment in which they find themselves. Understanding the history of social psychology is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of both classic and modern social psychology theories and research. Knowledge of the field's historical development provides insights, and a foundation for evaluating theories. Knowledge of the historical development of social psychology allows researchers to understand the context in which classic theories emerged. This provides insights into the societal and intellectual influences shaping early concepts in social psychology. Examining classic theories helps trace the roots of modern theories. Understanding the evolution of key ideas allows researchers to identify continuities, shifts, and refinements in theoretical perspectives. The history of social psychology reveals the evolution of research methods and techniques. Analyzing classic studies helps researchers appreciate the methodological challenges faced by early psychologist and understand how advancements in methods contribute to the rigor of contemporary research. Knowledge of the historical development of social psychology allows researchers to identify the limitations and criticisms of classic theories. This critical evaluation informs a more nuanced

interpretation and integration of classic ideas into modern frameworks. In essence, a historical perspective on social psychology provides researchers with a deeper appreciation for the field's intellectual journey, methodological advancements, and the cultural contexts that shape theoretical frameworks. This awareness enhances the critical analysis of both classic and modern social psychology theories, fostering a more informed understanding of the research that developed the way we think.

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References Burnes, B. (2019). The origins of Lewin’s Three-Step Model of change. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science , 56 (1), 32–59. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886319892685 Glăveanu, V., & Yamamoto, K. (2012). Bridging History and Social Psychology: What, How and Why. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science , 46 (4), 431–439. https://doi- org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1007/s12124-012-9213-z Power, S. A., & Velez, G. (2022). Field social psychology. American Psychologist , 77 (8), 940– 952. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1037/amp0000931 Roy F. Baumeister, & Eli J. Finkel. (2010). Advanced Social Psychology : The State of the Science . Oxford University Press.

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