Turning Psychology Into Social Science: Entertaining the Idea of Understanding Human Behavior through the Lens of Environmental and Social Factors

Understanding human behavior has always been a fascinating topic, and psychology has long been regarded as the cornerstone of unlocking the secrets behind our actions. However, as we delve deeper into the realm of social science, it becomes clear that there are more complex factors at play shaping our behavior, some of which reside outside the realm of traditional psychology.

In this article, we will explore how turning psychology into social science can provide a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior through the scrutiny of environmental and social influences. We will delve into the significance of these factors and how they contribute to the development of our personality, values, and actions.

Discovering the Environmental Factor

Many psychologists argue that human behavior is deeply influenced by the environments we grow up in and live in. This includes physical surroundings, cultural and societal norms, as well as societal institutions such as family, education, and work. Our environment shapes us, molds our perception of the world, and influences the decisions we make. By recognizing the environmental factor as a key determinant of behavior, we can better understand and predict human actions.

Turning Psychology into a Social Science (Exploring the Environmental and Social Foundations of Human Behaviour)

by Bernard Guerin (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	762 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	182 pages

FREE

For example, studies have shown that children growing up in violent or abusive households are more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior later in life. Likewise, individuals who are constantly exposed to a competitive work environment might develop a more cutthroat mentality. These findings highlight the significant impact of the environment on shaping our behavior and emphasize the importance of studying it in conjunction with psychology.

Unveiling the Power of Social Influences

Social influences, on the other hand, pertain to the impact of social interactions, group dynamics, and the larger societal structures on human behavior. Our actions are heavily influenced by the opinions and expectations of others, as well as the social roles we adopt in different contexts.

One prominent example of social influence is conformity, where individuals change their attitudes or behaviors to match those of the larger group. The famous Asch Conformity Experiment demonstrated how individuals were more likely to conform to an incorrect answer simply because everyone else in the group gave the same response. This experiment revealed the innate human desire to fit into social norms and the power of conformity on our decision-making processes.

Moreover, social influence can also be seen in the formation of our values and belief systems. We tend to adopt the ideologies and moral compass of our social groups, which further shapes our behavior and interactions. By unraveling the intricacies of social influences, we can better understand why we make certain choices and how society as a whole functions.

Merging Psychology and Social Science

The integration of psychology and social science allows us to take a holistic approach to studying human behavior. By considering the environmental and social factors in addition to psychological processes, researchers can gain a deeper comprehension of the complexities of human actions.

For instance, when studying criminal behavior, it is not sufficient to solely focus on individual traits and mental health. It is equally important to examine the social and environmental factors such as poverty, inequality, and social support systems. By understanding the interplay between psychological, environmental, and social aspects, governments and organizations can design more effective crime prevention programs.

Another domain where the merger of psychology and social science is invaluable is in policymaking. Issues like climate change, poverty, and education require an in-depth understanding of both the psychological factors driving human behavior and the social influences at play. By addressing these challenges from a multidisciplinary perspective, policymakers can develop evidence-based strategies that create lasting positive change.

The Future of Understanding Human Behavior

The field of psychology has made significant strides in understanding human behavior, but by embracing social science and exploring the environmental and social factors, we can unlock a wealth of new knowledge.

As technology continues to advance, big data and artificial intelligence provide new opportunities for studying the complexities of human behavior from a social science perspective. By analyzing vast datasets and uncovering patterns, we can decipher the intricate web of environmental and social influences on behavior with greater precision and accuracy.

In , turning psychology into social science and considering the environmental and social factors influencing human behavior opens up new avenues of inquiry and understanding. By exploring these dimensions, we can deepen our comprehension of why we behave the way we do, and thus create a better future for ourselves and society as a whole.

Turning Psychology into a Social Science (Exploring the Environmental and Social Foundations of Human Behaviour)

by Bernard Guerin (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	762 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	182 pages

FREE

This radical book explores a new understanding of psychology based on human engagement with external contexts, rather than what goes on inside our heads. It is part of a trilogy that offers a new way of doing psychology, focusing on people’s social and societal environments as determining their behaviour, rather than internal and individualistic attributions.

By showing that we engage directly with our complex social, political, economic, patriarchal, colonized, and cultural contexts and that what we do and think arises from this direct engagement with these external contexts, Bernard Guerin expertly demonstrates that Western ideas have systematically excluded the ‘social’ but that this is really where the major determinants of our behaviour arise. This book works through many human activities that psychology still treats as individualized and internal and shows their social and societal origins. These includes beliefs, the sense of self, the arts, religious behaviours, and the new and growing area of conservation psychology. The social structures found by sociology, anthropology and sociolinguistics are shown to shape most ‘individual’ human actions, and it is shown how the main points of Marxism and Indigenous knowledges can be better merged into this new and broader social science.

Replacing the ‘internal’ attributions of causes with external contextual analyses based in the social sciences, this book is fascinating reading for academics and students in psychology and the social sciences, and provides exciting new ways to conceptualize and observe human actions in new ways and to resist the current individualistic thinking of ‘psychology’.