Social Psychological Theories

Definition

Social psychological theories are scientific explanations that seek to understand human behavior within the context of social influences. These theories explore various factors such as attitudes, conformity, obedience, group dynamics, and cultural influences that shape individual behavior within a societal framework.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that individuals experience discomfort when their attitudes or beliefs conflict with their actions or other beliefs.

Attribution Theory: Attribution theory focuses on how individuals explain the causes of behaviors, whether they attribute them to internal (dispositional) factors or external (situational) factors.

Self-Serving Bias: Self-serving bias is a cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and blame external factors for their failures.