This meant they moved away from macro-sociological big picture focuses. Nowadays, both fields of knowledge have evolved in the direction of specialization. Both of them have put effort into more specific, particular things. So, sociologists have focused on macro kinds of variables, like social structure Bourdieu, or migration Castles, Meanwhile, social psychology has focused on micro variables like group identity Tajfel and Turner, or influence Cialdini, But social psychology is more like a branch of psychology that studies how our environment directly or indirectly influences our actions and behavior Allport, In turn, sociology is a social science dedicated to a systematic study of society, social action, and the groups that make up a society Furfey, Basically we could say that they both study relationships between people, but look at things from a different angle.
In fact, the different vantage points means they can actually enrich one other as they grow apart. One of the main differences between them is that psychology studies the effect of social things on the individual, while sociology focuses on the collective phenomena themselves.
So to put it another way, social psychology studies human behavior on the individual level and sociology on the group level. These interaction processes take place on different levels that scientists usually split up into intrapersonal, interpersonal, intragroup, and intergroup processes. When it comes to interpersonal processes differences between people , they study the processing of information and how people use that information within their groups. And in the case of intergroup processes differences between groups , they focus on studying the role groups play in building individual identities.
Instead it analyzes how those social phenomena have an effect on individuals. In addition, it studies the effect that different kinds of social structures have on the behavior of groups and individual people, as well as the changes those structures undergo due to social interaction. Also, this will help you understand the differences between the two sciences better:.
In this theory, habitus is the fundamental thing that explains social class. They also study how interactions between people can affect a wide range of issues, such as romantic attraction, friendship, and conflict. They may examine whether a person behaves a certain way due to their personality or environment, why certain social groups experience high levels of conflict, or what makes a couple more likely to stay together.
Leveraging both basic and applied research methods in their study, social psychologists conduct research on individuals and social groups. A researcher might explore what causes us to fall in love, or what inspires people to build friendships or enter into conflicts. Applied research tends to focus on a specific niche of human life, such as business, health, or education. Social psychologists can employ the insights gained from research to improve an aspect of life.
For example, a professional in this field might design a program to help reduce conflict in the classroom. Pay can vary with education, location, and industry. Both sociology and social psychology are fields of study that examine aspects of human behavior, such as how humans think and behave in different situations and times.
With a graduate-level education, these experts can conduct research or teach in higher education. Although there are similarities between sociology and social psychology, there are notable differences, too.
The differences between sociology and social psychology have largely to do with the focus of their study and research and the educational paths required.
Sociologists focus on society as a whole or large groups within society. They study patterns of behavior and how they shape the world around us. In contrast, social psychologists focus on individuals and how social factors impact behavior. For example, a sociologist may study the spending patterns of an entire population during a recession, whereas a social psychologist might examine how an individual handles stress, anxiety, or mental health during that same time of economic decline.
A traditional program prepares students to pursue a PhD. An applied, clinical, and professional program prepares students to enter the workforce and perform sociological research. Most research psychology positions require a doctoral degree. Students may choose to complete a PhD in psychology, which requires a comprehensive exam and a dissertation based on original research.
Sociologists can use their expertise to initiate change in areas such as public health, senior services, data management, nonprofit management, and academic leadership. Social psychologists have a unique understanding of human behavior, combined with extensive training in research methods. Many work as instructors or researchers in universities and colleges, across departments such as psychology, business, political science, health sciences, and education.
Others are employed as consultants, researchers, political strategists, marketing directors, or other related roles in the private sector. Psychology is the study of mental processes and behavior. It answers questions about what people do and understanding why — such as, the mental processes behind their behavior. Psychology is oriented towards understanding the individual and how the individual relates to the group.
By contrast, sociology is a study of systems and society. It investigates macro-level issues like poverty, food deserts, and unemployment. How do these structures behave within society, and what perpetuates them?
Sociology studies the anthill; psychology studies the ants. But what does that mean in practice? And what kind of theories, skills, or ideas would you learn in each degree? Sociology looks past individual differences to examine societies through a variety of group associations, including social class, religion, age, gender, sexuality, race, and more.
In doing so, sociologists try to answer questions about current social issues. For example, how will new variables affect the wellbeing of a broader community? A sociologist uses scientific methods to answer social questions, to learn about the way diverse communities interact with each other, and how social change occurs over time. Coursework may hone in on topics like globalization, race and ethnicity, diversity and inequality, methods of research, and social problems.
Graduates of a sociology program learn to distinguish between sociological research methods, describe social constructs, and learn to apply major theories to an understanding of the real world. As a foundation for understanding the rapidly globalizing world around us, studying this field helps students develop analytical problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Psychology looks into the mind of the individuals that make up a society or culture, focusing on social and emotional factors like memory, anger, intelligence, aging, and stress. Students learn more about the cognitive and emotional capabilities of individuals, the development of the brain, and how all those elements interact to influence human behavior. Coursework often includes topics like human development, statistics, mental illness, personality, and the psychology of learning.
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