Social approach

Main assumptions of the social approach.

• Behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by social contexts, social environments and groups.
• Behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by the actual, implied or imagined presence of others.

This matters because social approach - main assumptions determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply social approach - main assumptions to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Social approach - main assumptions is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Milgram (obedience).

• Milgram, S (1963), Behavioral Study of Obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4): 371-78.
• The study by Milgram investigated the conflict between obedience to authority and personal conscience and how far a person would go in obeying an instruction if it meant harming another person. This includes considering dispositional and situational hypotheses. A laboratory setting was used to measure obedience, described as a 'dependent variable' but there was no independent variable in the main study. The study used observations and an interview as techniques.
• Please Note: Milgram conducted many variations on this study. This study did not provide the 'teacher' with voice-feedback from the 'victim'.
• The psychology being investigated includes: obedience; social pressure.

This matters because milgram (obedience) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply milgram (obedience) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Milgram (obedience) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Perry et al. (personal space).

• Perry, A, Mankuta, D and Shamay-Tsoory, S G (2015), OT promotes closer interpersonal distance among highly empathic individuals. Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(1): 3-9.
• The study by Perry et al. investigated personal space (interpersonal distance). They tested how empathy and oxytocin affected the perception of personal space using a placebo to compare to oxytocin. Two experiments used different techniques to measure interpersonal distance and questionnaires were also used. Experiment 1 used a computerised version of the Comfortable Interpersonal Distance Scale. In Experiment 2, participants chose between pictures of different rooms.
• The psychology being investigated includes: interpersonal distance (personal space); social hormones; empathy.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because perry et al. (personal space) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply perry et al. (personal space) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Perry et al. (personal space) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans).

• Piliavin, I M, Rodin, J and Piliavin, J A (1969), Good Samaritanism: An Underground Phenomenon? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 13(4): 289-99.
• The study by Piliavin et al. tested bystander apathy. The study investigated how bystanders behave in real life situations and the factors that can affect their desire to help. This includes considering diffusion of responsibility. The study was a field experiment and used observations as a technique.
• The psychology being investigated includes: bystander apathy; diffusion of responsibility.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because piliavin et al. (subway samaritans) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply piliavin et al. (subway samaritans) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.