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Good afternoon, dear readers! Today we will talk about such a direction as the social psychology of personality. Let’s analyze what it is, why we need to study this science and how it can help us solve everyday problems.
Objects of socio-psychological research
The branch of psychology that studies the behavior of different groups of people, as well as individual individuals in relation to these groups, is called the social psychology of personality.
Social psychology studies the following objects:
- the mental warehouse of the individual;
- historical determination of personality in society;
- the formation of the spiritual component of a person;
- motivation of behavior in various psychological and social situations;
- ethical and moral characteristics of the individual;
- socio-psychological traits of the individual;
- role processes;
- values and orientations;
- self-education;
- life position;
- the laws of the emergence of social activity, internal contradictions and ways to eliminate them.
To date, there is no single theory in personality psychology that would suit all researchers and would answer all the questions posed about the formation of individual behavioral models.
The most common theories:
- Psychodynamic. It is based on the work of Sigmund Freud. According to her, such a thing as willpower is completely denied. Therefore, all human desires and actions are based on aggressive or sexual desires.
- Humanistic. The need to actualize oneself is the basis for the development of each person. All people throughout their lives try to prove their own significance and the importance of their activities for society. The goals of life are self-knowledge, one’s own potential and its realization.
- Analytical. Jung believed that human behavior is determined by innate factors that he inherits from his parents. According to this theory, the subconscious plays a major role in human behavior patterns, and dreams, culture and art provide an opportunity to reveal them.
- Behavioral. Briefly describe behaviorism, then the personality is a product of learning, and the genetic and psychological components do not play a significant role. The environment is the only factor influencing human development.
- Cognitive. It is based on the selfish inclinations of man. Society is the source of development, and the desire to remember the past and be aware of your future is the driving force.
- Active. A person is a conscious subject that performs a certain social role and is an element of society.
- Dispositional. An individual is a complex combination of social and genetic elements that are factors in his development.
Each of these theories has its place. But none of them gives an accurate description of the behavior of the individual in society. Any group is opposed to a person, therefore, making it impossible to conduct research. The problem must be considered comprehensively, since it is incorrect to oppose one person to a group of people.
A lot of research conducted in this direction made it possible to determine a number of changes that a person has suffered due to being in society:
- loss of one’s own opinion;
- excessive fear of attracting attention or social phobia;
- reduced self-esteem;
- shifting responsibility;
- peer pressure;
- adopting the emotions of others;
- low level of self-consciousness;
- group polarization.
Our behavior in solitude and in the presence of other people or groups is very different. We simply cannot behave in society without first weighing certain actions and modeling possible consequences.
What will you learn?
By studying personality psychology in detail, you will learn:
- find a common language with different people;
- find ways of optimal way out of conflict situations;
- convince others;
- make friends and maintain friendships;
- distinguish emotionally immature people and protect yourself from them;
- improve your psychological awareness;
- explore yourself from the inside, find your talents and see yourself in the future;
- do not underestimate your self-esteem in the team;
- not be afraid to lead people;
- accept responsibility in any situation;
- help those who need psychological help.
The situation when, due to omissions and fear of gossip, the offender was not brought to light is not so rare. And remember at least the school … Probably, among your acquaintances there was a boy or a girl who was not popular in the class, although they deserved it much more than other students. Where do you think the root of this problem was?
Of course, in the boy or girl himself, who could not defend his point of view with dignity, speak out. And there could be many reasons for this: stiffness, excessive modesty, fear of drawing attention to oneself, low self-esteem, etc.
It is safe to say that the social psychology of personality provides comprehensive answers to these and many other questions. It also shows tools for studying yourself and your behavior in different groups: family, friends, classmates, colleagues. It’s always interesting and helpful. By regularly returning to psychology, you will learn in advance to model the optimal behavior for yourself in a given situation.
Conclusion
I also recommend reading an article about human feelings from the point of view of psychology.
All the best, dear readers! I hope you have received new information, and now you will periodically devote time to the social psychology of personality. See you for new conversations!