Introduction
Social psychology tries to examine how individuals think, interact or influence each other. Also, social psychology explores people’s ability to think critically. Social psychology brings about reality. Moreover, it exposes people’s social intuitions as either perilous or safe. It is necessary to note that social influences are very significant in shaping people’s behavior. Additionally, attitudes are also crucial in shaping people’s behavior. It is also necessary to note that social behaviour can be biological. Social psychology’s principles are usable in numerous disciplines. Moreover, they are applicable in real life situations. This paper with examines and identify social psychology’s principles as used in various circumstances (Cloninger, 2005).
Video 1: Meryl Streep: The Devil Wears Prada
Behavior and Attitude
Attitude and behaviour refer to the kind of reaction one has for something. This reaction can be favorable or unfavorable. For instance, in the clip, it can be noticed that all workers are afraid of the CEO. She makes them quake. Everyone runs around when she is heard or seen. However, the recruit does not. She seems new to the trend of doing things in the place. Moreover, she is not willing to adapt to the new system. The worker’s attitude towards their CEO could be considered cognition since they know how heartless or firm the CEO is towards them. The CEO is a no-nonsense person who uses her full authority to execute duties. From the clip, it can be seen that the executive who is feared all over the building finds a hostile worker who eventually helps change her attitude. She terrifies all who work under her. They are afraid of her reaction to everything they do. It is observable in the short clip that she is feared and all adore her.
However, when the young staff comes into play, she surprises even the CEO who asks the new recruit if she had not heard of her (the CEO). The recruit is firm in her attitude; she is not used to being bullied. In fact, the CEO increases her tasks but she is not moved at all. Instead, she is surprised but does all that she is told. However, she is bold enough to dare the CEO on the instructions. Later on, they develop a relationship, which is evident when the new staff waves to the CEO. The CEO smiles and moves on. It can be noted that the CEO’s behavior has changed drastically, especially concerning the recruit.
Additionally, it can be observed that her attitude towards workers has slightly changed. She even shares with the rogue recruit about her family life. She breaks down in tears before her newest staff. This is a big change in behavior Cloninger, 2005).
Video 2: Ted’s Birthday
Persuasion: the peripheral route
Persuasion involves convincing individuals to accept or do something. It has two routes, namely central and peripheral. While the former allows people to think systematically and make an enduring change, the latter involves little thinking and change is usually short. Ted’s birthday is planned very fast. In fact, there is only one communicator in planning the event. He designs and plans everything, including the role of everyone. He talks rapidly and seems to be the expert. The audience accepts his speech and falls into his antics. In the end, Ted gets back with his girlfriend. However, the looming question is whether Ted will hear about this plan or not.
Moreover, what will he decide after knowing that everything was pre-planned? Essentially, it can be observed that this was a persuasive event. It was organized to bring back Ted to his girlfriend. However, everyone was involved except Ted. Nonetheless, even those involved had no idea of the plans.
Additionally, they never contributed to the planning or design. They just played to the communicator’s tune. In essence, this persuasion followed the peripheral route (Myers, 2005).
Peripheral persuasion is usually successful when the audience to the message find it irrelevant, as seen in Ted’s case. Moreover, little thinking is required to do the activity as needed. That is, low cognition is required. Additionally, the audience is in a positive mood, as observed in the initial meeting that started the event. It is also important to note that in peripheral persuasion, the orchestrator talks rapidly; this is also observable in the short film. It is also important to note that the resulting relationship between Ted and his girlfriend is temporary. This proves that the reliability of peripheral persuasion is short lived. Moreover, once everything comes into place and Ted realizes what happened, it is difficult to know what will transpire.
Video 3: 12 Angry Men
Prejudice
Prejudice refers to prejudgment of an individual or a group of people. It usually involves negative prejudgement. This is common in social circles, especially in political factions. The short clip, which contains 12 people, depicts prejudice in its very form. The one outspoken individual tries to infiltrate eleven others to prejudice against the boy in the trial. This makes them very annoyed and disinterested. In the end, the man is forced to keep quiet and let the eleven carry on with the discussion. This is a typical show of people refusing to prejudice in spite of the influence on them by the speaker. In their round table of judgment, all the eleven participants refuse to agree with the speaker. Each one of them leaves at will.
Moreover, the speaker is told to keep quiet and listen. The speaker shows an element of prejudice since he does not allow others to invest the matter appropriately. Moreover, he generalizes those who drink to be liable for such offenses.
Prejudice involves the negative judgment of other persons. It may also involve generalization of people based on their action or thought. People may also use someone’s behavior to prejudge him/her. In this case, the speaker is prejudging those who drink. He gives an example of the boy and uses his actions to generalize on the general population who drink. This is typical of actions that come with negative prejudgement. Prejudice may also involve racial biases on some people. Racial prejudice is also common, although it is slowly declining. For instance, Africans are usually associated with primitivism, although this has been on a declining scale. From the clip shown, the speaker decides to prejudice against the boy in question without giving satisfactory reasons. Moreover, he does not allow others to comment or argue on the matter. He feels that his judgment is final without proper argument. Moreover, he does not bring any pieces of evidence into the discussion. This is pure prejudice (Myers, 2005).
Video 4: King Philip IV
Physical attractiveness
Attraction involves the need to belong. People want to associate with what they like. For instance, some people love a clique of leaders, while others love religious officials. It is necessary to note that people try their best to be close to whatever they are attracted to; this is usually an object or a person. In the clip, it can be observed that the portrait of King Philip IV is placed strategically in a museum, for people to see. People are attracted to his portrait because of whatever they believe he had done. Stunningly, some people come in with a person who is dressed like King Philip. This arouses curiosity. People come in large numbers to watch the live autograph signing ceremony.
Attraction to King Philip IV’s portrait is a phenomenon; furthermore, attraction to the person who poses as him is also auspicious. This shows that there is a bond between the people and King Philip even after his death. People love him; they want to associate with him in many ways. King Philip IV’s successes are associated with his appearance, which people consider attractive. They also consider him intelligent and important in their social lives. No wonder, a portrait of him lives on to remember his contributions and attractiveness. King Philip’s attractiveness is also associated with his traits. This attracts large crowds for autographs, even when they know that the one posing as the King is just impersonating him (Cloninger, 2005).
Conclusion
From the evidence above, it is necessary to note that social psychology principles are relevant in everyday life. Moreover, they are applicable to various disciplines. The videos utilized have shown that social psychology principles are essential for use in persuasions, behavior change, self-esteem, and stereotypes, among others. Also, social psychology defines how people interact and influence one another. Additionally, it should be noted that it defines social space within which people interact. Essentially, it shapes how people think.
References
Cloninger, S. (2005). Social Psychology. Web.
Myers, D. (2005). Social Psychology (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill. Web.