Content Summary: Week One Student Name Liberty 485342

Content Summary 1content Summary Week Onestudent Nameliberty Universi

Content Summary 1content Summary Week Onestudent Nameliberty Universi

CONTENT SUMMARY 1 Content Summary: Week One Student Name Liberty University (Note: Include all elements in APA Format: Title Page, Body, Reference Page) 2 CONTENT SUMMARY 2 Content Summary: Week One Social psychology is a continuously growing field that is considered fairly new to the scientific world, in comparison to other psychological fields. Social psychology scientifically studies individuals in regards to their thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns, all within a social context (Kassin et al., 2017). Social psychology is a highly impacting field that offers insight into a variety of practical situations, such as cultural variations on behavior, political concerns, and economic perspectives.

Through the use of qualitative and quantitative research, social psychology aims to uncover various aspects of social phenomena, such as obedience, aggression, and social influence (Kassin et al., 2017). Each specific phenomenon will be discussed at length in the following paragraphs. (Note: Must be 1 Paragraph (5-7 sentences) / Must contain the appropriate header / Doesn’t have to contain sources in this paragraph, but must introduce the material for the week and give a broad summary of what will be discussed.) Key Topics Behavioral Obedience In society, obedience is a learned action of complying to an order or command due to the submission of authority (Milgram, 1963). Obedience is a behavioral outcome that is often exhibited from an individual when the opposing relational component carries an amount of power in the relationship. The act of obedience can have either beneficial or detrimental effects on a situation, depending upon the underlying purpose of the commanded action (Milgram, 1963). Beneficial acts of obedience such as when individuals abide to the traffic laws aid to the positive flow of society. Beneficial obedience can often stem from cooperative interdependence and the value orientation of maximizing the outcome for both self and other (Rumble, 2011). CONTENT SUMMARY 3 Detrimental acts of obedience such as the Nazi officer efforts in World War II aid to the hindrance of society, and typically stem from unilateral dependence and partner control (Kassin et al., 2017; Rumble 2011). (Note: Must be 1 Paragraph (5-7 sentences) / Must contain the appropriate header / Must contain a MINIMUM of 2 SOURCES (Ex: Text, Theory Book, Assigned Articles, or other Journal articles that you find that relate to this topic. The idea is to HIGHLIGHT the 3-5 Major topics/ideas that have been discussed ACROSS all of the Assigned Reading material for the week.) Human Aggression Human aggression is the complex dynamic of the social self that is often a behavioral response to a combination of internal and external factors. Aggression can be manifested in many forms, such as active aggression shown in the Zimbardo study with the guards’ harsh behavior towards the prisoners, or non-assertive aggression that was shown in the Milgram study, in which the subjects permitted the experimenter to infringe upon their ethical boundaries by continuing to obey the experimenters’ orders to administer harmful shocks to the victim (Haney et al., 1973; Milgram, 1963). Aggression can vary in its presented form based upon cultural differences, as well as its external trigger, such as alcohol or violent video games (Kassin et al., 2017). It’s also important to determine how the situation influences the expression of aggressive behavior. People look for social cues such as norms, authority, peers to determine how to express their behavior, even if it’s aggressive in nature. (Note: Must be 1 Paragraph (5-7 sentences) / Must contain the appropriate header / Must contain a MINIMUM of 2 SOURCES (Ex: Text, Theory Book, Assigned Articles, or other Journal articles that you find that relate to this topic. The idea is to HIGHLIGHT the 3-5 Major topics/ideas that have been discussed ACROSS all of the Assigned Reading material for the week.) CONTENT SUMMARY 4 Interdependence Interdependence results when two or more interacting individuals have influence on the behavioral outcomes of each other (Rumble, 2011). Interdependence stems from the interactionist perspective that human behavior is due to both the individuals’ personality and the surrounding social context (Kassin et al., 2017; Rumble, 2011). A personality that includes elements of understanding and dependability, coupled with an environment of mutual partner control will likely lead to a positive outcome of cooperative interdependence (Rumble, 2011). Due to cultural differences, the act of interdependence can be more prevalent in certain cultures and societies (Kassin et al., 2017). It is interesting to see how a culture’s adoption of interdependence influences much of how the culture operates. (Note: Must be 1 Paragraph (5-7 sentences) / Must contain the appropriate header / Must contain a MINIMUM of 2 SOURCES (Ex: Text, Theory Book, Assigned Articles, or other Journal articles that you find that relate to this topic. *The idea is to HIGHLIGHT the 3-5 Major topics/ideas that have been discussed ACROSS all of the Assigned Reading material for the week.) Conclusion Behavioral obedience is the action of complying to an order, typically from an authority or respected figure. Obedience is necessary for many beneficial components of society, but can also be harmful to society when the obeyed order crosses a legal, ethical, or moral boundary. Aggression can be a result of negative acts of obedience, such as the Nazi actions of World War II. Interdependence can play a role in both acts of obedience and aggression, dependent upon the characteristics of the relationship and individuals’ personalities. Together these behaviors help us better understand human beings in social contexts. (Note: Must be 1 Paragraph (5-7 Sentences) / Include the appropriate header / Summarize the main elements of your weekly summary) CONTENT SUMMARY 5 References Haney, C., Banks, C., & Zimbardo, P. (1973). A study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison. Naval Research Reviews, 1-17. Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H.R. (2017). Social psychology. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), . Rumble, A. (2011). Interdependence in social interaction. In D. Chadee (Ed.), Theories in social psychology (). Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell. (Note: Make sure to Reference All Assigned Reading Materials for the week along with any additional materials that you decided to add)

Paper For Above instruction

Social psychology is a vibrant and evolving branch of psychology that examines how individuals think, feel, and behave within social contexts. It explores the ways in which societal influences impact personal attitudes and actions, providing critical insights into human interactions. This discipline employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze phenomena such as obedience, aggression, and social influence, which are central themes in understanding human behavior (Kassin et al., 2017). The following discussion synthesizes key topics from recent week’s readings, emphasizing their relevance in social psychology. Specifically, it considers behavioral obedience, human aggression, and interdependence, illustrating their importance in both societal functioning and potential hazards.

Behavioral obedience, the act of complying with authority figures, plays a crucial role in maintaining social order but carries risks when misused. Milgram’s (1963) seminal experiment demonstrated how ordinary individuals could commit harmful acts when ordered by an authority, raising questions about the nature of obedience and morality. Obedience can be beneficial, seen when individuals follow traffic laws or adhere to ethical standards, supporting societal stability (Rumble, 2011). However, as history has shown, obedience can also lead to atrocities, exemplified by Nazi war crimes, where unquestioning submission facilitated enormous suffering (Kassin et al., 2017). The interplay between obedience and morality underscores the importance of ethical boundaries in social influence.

Human aggression further illustrates the dark side of social influence, often resulting from internal and external factors. Studies by Haney, Banks, & Zimbardo (1973) and Milgram (1963) reveal that situational forces and social cues significantly influence aggressive behaviors. For example, the guards’ harsh treatment of prisoners in Zimbardo’s simulated prison exemplifies active aggression driven by situational power dynamics. External triggers like alcohol and violent media can amplify aggression, while cultural norms shape how aggression is expressed (Kassin et al., 2017). Recognizing these influences aids in addressing aggressive tendencies and developing intervention strategies to promote healthier social environments.

Interdependence, another critical concept, refers to the mutual influence that individuals exert on each other’s behavior within social systems. Rumble (2011) emphasizes that interdependence stems from the interactionist view that behavior results from the interplay between personal characteristics and environmental factors. Cooperative interdependence often relies on trust and dependable personalities, fostering positive social outcomes (Rumble, 2011). Cultural variations significantly affect the prevalence and form of interdependence, impacting societal cohesion and collective behavior (Kassin et al., 2017). Understanding interdependence enhances our grasp of how social bonds and shared responsibilities shape societal functioning.

In conclusion, behaviors such as obedience, aggression, and interdependence are fundamental to understanding human social interactions. While obedience can serve societal needs, it must be tempered with ethical considerations to prevent harm. Human aggression, influenced by situational and cultural factors, poses challenges but can be mitigated through social and environmental interventions. Interdependence demonstrates the importance of mutual influence in fostering cooperative and cohesive societies. Together, these themes reveal the complex and influential nature of social psychology in shaping individual and collective behavior.

References

• Haney, C., Banks, C., & Zimbardo, P. (1973). A study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison. Naval Research Reviews, 1-17.
• Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2017). Social psychology. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
• Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378.
• Rumble, A. (2011). Interdependence in social interaction. In D. Chadee (Ed.), Theories in social psychology (pp. 45-62). Wiley-Blackwell.