social and multicultural psychology

Running Head: SOCIAL AND MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 1

Social and Multicultural Psychology

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SOCIAL AND MULTICULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY 2

Abstract

This paper discusses social and multicultural psychology. In the paper, the meanings of

both social and multicultural psychologies are given. The primary research strategies of social

psychology will be described, and examples given. The relationship and contrasts between social

and multicultural psychologies are also discussed.

Introduction

Individuals are affected by numerous things, individuals, and circumstances. The effect

of their social interactions is impacted by how they think, feel and carry on. Comprehension of

how people structure connections and get along in society is vital, particularly since people have

cultural and ethnic or minority foundations. In spite of the fact that "standards of conduct" are

held by all societies, other multicultural variables, for example, contextual elements, ethnic and

racial identity, religious beliefs, child rearing, and demeanors should likewise be considered

when managing populations with these diversities.

Social Psychology and Primary Research Strategies

Social Psychology can be defined as “the scientific attempt to explain how the thoughts,

feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence

of other human beings.” (Fiske, 2009). Social psychology is a branch of psychology that studies

how people interact in different social situations. It deals with how and why individuals think,

feel, and do the things they do as a consequence of the circumstance they wind up in. Sociology

and social psychology are similar except that sociology concentrates on group elements, for

example, socioeconomic class and race while social psychology focuses mostly on how the

individual acts in specific circumstances.


Some fundamental research methodologies (McLeod, 2007) used by the researchers to

evaluate an individual's social interactions are listed in table 1:

Table 1

RESEARCH

STRATEGIES

DESCRIPTION SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

EXAMPLE

Interviews •Unstructured (casual) discussion with no

questions set

•Structured (formal): Fixed, predetermined

set of formal inquiries.

•Questionnaire: written interview.

•Collect quantitative and qualitative data.

Skinner Behavior Study

Changed operant conditioning

by conducting tests by use of

animals in 1948 to punish or

reinforce.

Case Study •In-depth investigations of a single event,

person, group, or community.

•Gathers qualitative data and levels of

ecological validity.

Sigmund Freud detailed

examinations concerning the

private lives of his patients

trying to both comprehend and

help them conquer their

illnesses.

Experiment

(Natural, Lab,

or field)

•Accurate and target measurements in a

controlled setting (controlled environment )

Stanley Milgram, a Yale

University psychologist,

experiment on obedience


•Researcher determines time, place,

circumstances, participants and standardized

procedure in real life setting.

concentrated on the three-way

clash between authority,

obedience, and personal

conscience.

Observations •Covert Observations: Pretend to be an

everyday member of the group and subtly

watches. Makes moral issues or misdirection

and consent.

•Overt Observations: Inform the participants

that he or she is being watched so they will be

mindful.

•Record conduct in normal, controlled,

participatory, and non-participatory settings.

Kathy Sylva and some

researchers from Oxford and

the University of London's

Institute of Education, found

in the late 80s/early 90s that a

child's scholarly, social and

behavioral advancement is

considerably improved by

going to pre-school, especially

on the off chance that they are

poor.

Content

Analysis

•Indirectly watch the vicinity of specific

words, pictures or ideas within the media or

politics

Content Analysis of TV shows

containing violent content or

study sex-role stereotyping

Pilot Study •A starting go-through of the strategies to be

utilized as a part of an investigation; select a

couple individuals to pretrial the study on

them.

Scottish Births Survey to

focus temporary level of

maternity care.


Multicultural Psychology and Similarities/Differences from Social Psychology

Multicultural psychology can be defined as “the systematic study of all aspects of human

behavior as it occurs in settings where people of different cultural backgrounds encounter each

other.” (Cherry, 2008). “The goal of cross-cultural psychologists is to look at both universal

behaviors and unique behaviors to identify the ways in which culture impacts our behavior,

family life, education, social experiences and other areas (Cherry, 2008). Multicultural

psychology studies people inside of ethnic/minority settings.

Multicultural Psychology similar, yet particularly unique in relation to Social

Psychology. While the social Psychology concentrates on the individual or group's affiliations

and interconnections from a mixed bag of ethnicity, family, moral factors, socio-economic status,

education and gender, multiculturalism evaluates the cultural encounters. Pro-social conduct

incorporates social, cognitive, biological, passionate, and ecological components through a

mixed bag of socio-emotional interactions. In addition, multiculturalism distinguishes the

distinctions of our social ways of life as well as permits transference or the change starting with

one society then onto the next. Multiculturalism allows cultural membership irrespective of one’s

birth, physical characteristics, or affiliations to a group previously. It allows various cultures to

exist together. Social psychology, on the other hand, how people influence each other’s

behaviors while multicultural psychology explains how cultures affect human behavior.

Conclusion

Every population group is influenced by the forces of identity, culture, and its society.

The disciplines of social and multicultural psychology explore how individuals and their


environments are affected by the effects of those influences. Our personal behaviors and attitudes

relate to our communities and culture, and these again are different between different groups.


References

Cherry, K. (2008). What Is Cross Cultural Psychology? Retrieved from About.com/Psychology:

http://psychology.about.com/od/branchesofpsycholog1/f/cross-cultural.htm

Fiske, S. T. (2009). Social Beings: Core Motives in Social Psychology. Wiley.

McLeod, S. (2007). Psychology Research Methods. Retrieved from Simply Psychology:

http://www.simplypsychology.org/research-methods.html

social and multicultural psychology

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