Social approach

Imagine you're a chameleon. You know, those lizards that change their skin colour to match their surroundings? Well, the Social Approach in psychology suggests that humans are a bit like chameleons too! But instead of changing skin colour, we change our behaviour (how we act), thoughts (what we think), and feelings (what we feel) to match the people and groups around us.

Think of it like this:

• When you're with your best friends, you might laugh louder and be more silly.
• When you're in a classroom, you might be quieter and more focused.
• When you're at a formal dinner, you might use different manners.

The Social Approach believes that the biggest reason we do what we do isn't just because of our personality, but because of the social situation (the people and environment we are in). It's all about how other people, whether they are actually there or just in our minds (like thinking about what someone might say), influence us. It's like gravity, but for people – pulling us to act in certain ways.

Let's think about something many of us do: queueing (waiting in line).

1. The Situation: You're at a theme park, and there's a long line for your favourite ride. You see everyone standing patiently, one behind the other.
2. Your Behaviour: Even if you're in a hurry, you'll probably join the back of the line and wait your turn. Why?
3. Social Influence: You're not just waiting because you want to. You're waiting because everyone else is. You're influenced by the social norm (the unwritten rule) that says 'in this situation, we queue'. If you tried to push in, people would probably stare, tut, or even tell you off. The potential reaction from others (even strangers!) influences your decision to follow the rule.
4. No one told you directly to queue, but the behaviour of the group around you, and your understanding of what's expected in that social situation, makes you act in a certain way. This is a perfect example of the Social Approach in action!

The Social Approach often looks at how we're influenced in a few key ways:

1. Observe Others: We first notice what other people are doing, saying, or even wearing. It's like scanning the room to see what's 'normal'.
2. Understand the Norms: We then figure out the social norms (the unwritten rules) or expectations for that situation. This is like learning the 'code' for how to act.
3. Feel Pressure: We often feel a silent pressure to fit in or follow these norms. This isn't always a bad thing; it helps society run smoothly.
4. Adjust Behaviour: We then change our own behaviour, thoughts, or feelings to match what's expected. This is our 'chameleon' moment.
5. Internalise or Conform: Sometimes we genuinely start to believe in the group's way (internalisation). Other times, we just go along with it to avoid standing out (conformity).

The Social Approach focuses on several big ideas:

• Social Influence: This is the big umbrella term for how other people affect our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Think of it like a magnet pulling us towards certain behaviours.
• Conformity: This is when we change our behaviour or beliefs to match a group, even if we don't fully agree. Imagine everyone in your class stands up when the teacher enters, so you do too, even if you'd rather stay seated.
• Obedience: This is when we follow direct orders or commands from someone we see as an authority figure (someone with power). Think of a soldier following orders from a general.
• Prejudice: This is a negative attitude (a way of thinking and feeling) towards a group of people, often based on stereotypes. It's like judging a book by its cover, but for people.
• Discrimination: This is the negative behaviour (how you act) towards a group of people, often as a result of prejudice. It's like refusing to let someone play in your game just because of where they're from.
• Bystander Effect: This is when people are less likely to help someone in trouble if there are lots of other people around. It's like everyone thinking 'someone else will help', so no one does.

Here are some common traps students fall into and how to dodge them:

• ❌ Mistake 1: Confusing Social Approach with other approaches. Some students mix up the Social Approach with the Cognitive Approach (which is about thinking processes). ✅ How to avoid: Remember, the Social Approach is always about the influence of other people or the social situation. If you're talking about memory or attention without mentioning others, it's probably not social. Think 'people power'!

• ❌ Mistake 2: Describing a study without linking it to the approach. You might remember Milgram's study (about obedience) but just describe what happened. ✅ How to avoid: After describing the study, always explain how it supports the Social Approach. For Milgram, you'd say it shows how people are influenced by authority figures, which is a key social idea.

• ❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'why'. You might say 'people conform', but not explain why they do. ✅ How to avoid: Always ask yourself 'why?'. Do they conform to fit in (normative influence)? Or because they think the group is right (informational influence)? Explaining the 'why' shows deeper understanding.

• ❌ Mistake 4: Using jargon without explanation. Words like 'conformity' or 'social norms' are common, but don't assume the examiner knows exactly what you mean. ✅ How to avoid: Always define your key terms, even briefly, especially in longer answers. Treat it like you're explaining it to someone who's never heard the word before.