1. Definition of Social Psychology
The scientific study of how individuals think. Feel, and behave toward other people and how individuals thoughts, feelings, & behaviours are affected by other people (Brehm, Kassin, & Fein 2002 p5).
The scientific investigation of how the thoughts feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined and implied presence of others (Hogg & Vaughan 2005 p4).
Assumption that every thought feeling and behaviour must have physical or neural basis in the brain.
The mind is a product of the brains activity
To link brain to behaviour is a difficult task and we only have an hour so I’m going to outline some of the basics of neuroanatomy (how brain fits together) and neurophysiology (how neurons work). Before talking about some key studies and what we can learn from these.
Not going to talk about who discovered neurons and electrical currents in the brain - Read up on history in their own time! Start with the nervous system...

2. Social psychology of helping behaviour
On 13 March 1964 Catherine Genovese (28), bar manager, arrived home at about 3:15 a.m.
She lived in a block of flats in Kew Gardens (New York) where she parked her car some 100 feet from her apartment.
A stranger (Winston Moseley) intercepted & stabbed her for no known reason other than that Moseley was a necrophiliac.

3. Catherine Genovese (Kitty)
New York Times story (27 March 1964)
For about 1/2 hour 38 law abiding citizens watched the murder of Kitty Genovese without phoning the police or coming to her aid.
Why did so many people fail to help?
Kitty (28 at the time)

4. Social & cognitive processes
Ways in which our emotions influence our thinking
Ways in which our motives justify our means
Ways in which significant others, e.g. family, society, influence our attitudes, values and beliefs.
Ways in which our perceptions influence our reality

5. Cognitive processes

6. Cognitive processes

7. 8 Principles of Social Behaviour
Two fundamental principles:
People construct their own reality
People are influenced & influence others
Three motivational principles:
Strive for mastery
Strive for connectedness
Value “me & mine”
Three processing principles:
Conservatism
Accessibility
Superficiality Vs Depth

8. Recommended Reading
Brehm, S.S., Kassin, S., M., & Fein, S (2002) Social Psychology. Houghton Mifflin: London (chapter 1)
Hogg, M., & Vaughan, G. (2005) Social Psychology (4th edition) Prentice-Hall: London (chapter 1)