Understanding Human Behavior Through Social and Cognitive Psychology

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This report explores key approaches in psychology.

Approaches of Psychology

Introduction
Psychology is a vast subject that involves
various theories that are developed by
various psychologists, helping in
understanding the human behaviour and their
changes in it that is because of some other
factors.

Social psychological theory
The social psychological theory discusses the
understanding of an individual’s behaviour in
the social context, which further involves
various factors like, the social phenomena,
pro-social behaviours, love, affection, social
influences and many more.
The article of McLeod (2019), describes this
theory as, “the scientific field that seeks to
understand the nature and causes of
individual behaviour in social situations”.

Cognitive theory
The theory of cognitive helps an individual in
understanding the negative interpretation of
their perceptions and thoughts, which allows
an individual in changing their distorted
thinking into constructive ones.
The cognitive theory aids an individual in
developing their thought process, which
further aid him or her in reducing their
mental distress (Mcleod, 2019).

Similarity and diferences
The discussed theories are completely
different from each other.
The social psychological theory discusses the
external factors that are influencing the
behavioural pattern of an individual, while on
the other hand; the cognitive theory discusses
the ways in which the distorted thinking
pattern of an individual can be changed
positively.

Conformity and Obediance
Conformity involves understanding the
behaviour of others, which can make changes
in the behaviour of an individual.
Obedience on the other hand states following
the orders that are given from the authority,
which the individual or the group has to
follow in order to survive within the
workplace.

Prejudice and Discrimination
Prejudice and discrimination are the main reasons for
increasing crime rate.
The study of BBC Bitesize (2019), states,
“Prejudice makes the victim feel less than fully
human”.
This can even restrict an individual from improving
them and further leading to bullying, which can
create discrimination in the end.
Discrimination creates differences and this can lead
to limitation in performance level of an individual,
while on the other hand positive discrimination can
aid an individual in his or her performance.

Conclusion
Understanding psychological theories and
social influences are becoming essential
for the public sectors in order to
understand the future human behaviour,
which can help the sector is proper
development. Policymaking is becoming
an essential part for the public sectors and
for that the study of social influences are
becoming essential to understand the
social problems that are complex in
nature.

Reference List
 Arnold, J. and Randall, R. (2016).Work Psychology: Understanding
HumanBehaviour in the Workplace. 6th edn. Harlow: Pearson
 BBC Bitesize. (2019). Prejudice and discrimination - Revision 5 - GCSE
Religious Studies - BBC Bitesize. [online] Available at:
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zyfbwmn/revision/5 [Accessed 8
Apr. 2019].
 Dovido, J.F., Hewstone, M., Glick, P. and Esses, V.M. (2013).The Sage
Handbook of Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination. London: Sage.
 Mcleod, S. (2019). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | CBT | Simply
Psychology. [online] Simplypsychology.org. Available at:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-therapy.html [Accessed 8
Apr. 2019].
 McLeod, S. (2019). Social Psychology | Simply Psychology. [online]
Simplypsychology.org. Available at:
https://www.simplypsychology.org/social-psychology.html [Accessed 8
Apr. 2019].