: the study of the manner in which the personality, attitudes, motivations, and behavior of the individual influence and are influenced by social groups
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Among those on the picket line was Jacqueline Perez, a third-year doctoral student studying social psychology. Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2022 People are driven to reduce the discord by reconciling conflicting thoughts and behaviors, but the process is not a conscious one, said Elliot Aronson, a professor emeritus of social psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2022 Research in social psychology and behavioral economics generally shows that people often focus on the negatives and can block out the positives. Josh Boak, ajc, 5 Nov. 2022 In a well-functioning polity, the gavel is a symbol of a community that allows debate and respects difference, said Stephen David Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Jacob Gershman, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2022 Has this little experiment in social psychology been worth it? Robin Wadsworth, Forbes, 13 May 2022 In such a widening gyre, Mounk’s calm mix of storytelling, political theory and social psychology exegesis, peppered with some charming insights, has a comforting seriousness. Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 That behavior in social psychology is called intermittent reinforcement. Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 26 Mar. 2022 The class includes a crash course in social psychology — how people often let emotion dictate reason and the benefits and drawbacks to working as a group. Jennifer Miller, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'social psychology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1880, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of social psychology was in 1880
Dictionary Entries Near social psychology
Cite this Entry
“Social psychology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20psychology. Accessed 10 Dec. 2022.
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Last Updated: 9 Dec 2022 - Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged