Psychology

I INTRODUCTION Social Psychology, the scientific study of how people think, feel, and behave in social situations. This area of specialization draws on two disciplines: sociology, which focuses on groups; and psychology, which centers on the individual. Social psychologists seek to answer a wide variety of questions, among them: Why do we help or ignore others in need? Why are people romantically attracted to each other? How do people form stereotypes about racial and ethnic …

…selection, how employers can motivate workers, and how managers can become effective leaders. Findings in social psychology about how conflicts arise and how people can best resolve them have relevance to diplomacy and the process of negotiating peace between nations. Researchers interested in health have found that having friends and other social connections promotes both physical health and mental well-being. Today, increasing numbers of social psychologists are becoming interested in practical applications for their work.