Social psychology and other related discipline

Social Psychology and Other Related Discipline Differences
Social psychology is different from other disciplines, such as sociology, personality,
and clinical psychology because this science uses experimentation and research in regard to
supporting ideas and theories (Myers, 2010). Psychologists base his or her theories on
observable information in regard to forming a testable hypothesis and making predictions
(Myers, 2010). Either correlations studies or experimentation is implemented, depending on the
situation and if considered ethical or feasible (Myers, 2010).
Though closely related to sociology social psychology is a science, and some would
say sociology is not because the discipline incorporates philosophy and history (Baechler, 2007).
Social psychology seeks to research people on an individual’s bases, whereas sociology studies
people in groups (Meyers, 2010). Sociology researches a large number of people and determines
particular behaviors based on that group. Social psychology believes that behaviors is produced
given particular situations. This science looks to relate human behavior to environmental factors.
The personality theory focuses mainly on individual differences between the many
behaviors within a personality (Boeree, 2007). This is different because social psychology
focuses on environmental factors and the situation influencing individual behavior (Myers,
2010). Personality theory takes into account aspect like genetics, emotion, and motivation along
with many other things (Boeree, 2007). In general social psychology in contrast with personality

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY DEFINITION 4
psychology “focuses less on individuals’ differences and more on how individuals, in general,
view and affect one another” (Myers, 2010, p. 4). Because personality theory takes so many
things into perspective it is many times viewed as the least scientific discipline because it takes a
more functional and motivational approach over and experimental one (Hall & Gardner, 1957).
According to the Society of Clinical Psychology (n.d.), “ Clinical Psychology
focuses on the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of
human functioning across the life span, in varying cultures, and at all socioeconomic levels”
(para. 1). Clinical psychology has a focus on helping a person minimize a behavior, whereas
social psychology studies the relationships one another has.