EXPLAINING BEHAVIOR FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

For this Discussion, you will explore social psychology, personality psychology, and sociology in their approaches to explaining behavior. Consider the following scenario of Jason:

Jason is a college student accused of making and distributing methamphetamine. If charged and convicted, Jason’s dreams of medical school would be dashed. How would a social psychologist explain Jason’s behavior and his decision to take this risk?

TO PREPARE

• Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider how a social psychologist would approach and explain Jason’s behavior and decision.
• Also, consider how a personality psychologist or a sociologist would explain Jason’s behavior and decision. Consider how each approach is different from a social psychologist’s approach. Post an explanation of Jason’s behavior from the perspective of a social psychologist. Support your explanation with references to social psychology theory and research.

• LEARNING RESOURCES

  Required Readings

• Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.) (2019). Social Psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
  • Chapter 1, “Introducing Social Psychology”

Answer:

Explanation of Jason’s Behavior from a Social Psychologist’s Perspective:

From a social psychologist’s perspective, Jason’s behavior and decision to make and distribute methamphetamine can be understood through the lens of social influence, situational factors, and cognitive processes.

1. Social Influence: Social psychologists emphasize the impact of social norms, peer pressure, and social context on individual behavior. Jason may have been influenced by his social environment, including interactions with peers who engage in substance abuse or criminal behavior. Conformity to group norms and a desire for acceptance and belonging may have motivated Jason to participate in drug production and distribution.
2. Situational Factors: The situation in which Jason finds himself, such as financial stress, academic pressure, or exposure to drugs, can influence his decision-making processes. Social psychologists recognize the power of situational factors in shaping behavior, as individuals may be more likely to engage in risky or deviant behavior when faced with challenging circumstances or perceived opportunities.
3. Cognitive Processes: Social psychologists also examine cognitive processes such as perception, judgment, and decision-making in understanding behavior. Jason’s decision to engage in illegal activities may be influenced by cognitive biases, such as overconfidence in his ability to avoid detection or rationalization of his actions to justify the perceived benefits. Additionally, he may underestimate the potential consequences of his actions due to optimism bias or discounting future risks.

Overall, a social psychologist would approach Jason’s behavior by considering the interplay between social influences, situational factors, and cognitive processes. By examining these factors, social psychologists seek to understand how individuals like Jason navigate complex social environments and make decisions that may have significant consequences for themselves and others.

References:

• Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (2019). Social Psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
• Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.