HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP

The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
UNIT -1

NOTES

WHAT IS SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Social psychology is defined as the scientific study of "How we feel about, think about and
behave toward the people around us and how our feelings, thoughts, and behaviours are
influenced by those people in the social context" (Kassin, Fein, & Markus, 2017)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Robbers Cave Experiment – Muzafer Sherif (1954)
Introduction
The Robbers Cave Experiment by Muzafer Sherif (1954) is a classic study in social
psychology that aimed to understand the causes of intergroup conflict and ways to reduce
prejudice and hostility between groups. It demonstrated how competition for limited
resources can lead to conflict and how cooperation toward shared goals can restore
harmony.

Aim

To study:

How conflict and hostility develop between groups when they compete for limited resources.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
How cooperation through shared goals can reduce this hostility.

Method

Participants: 22 eleven-year-old boys from similar middle-class backgrounds.

Location: Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma, USA.

Design: Field experiment in three stages.

Procedure

Stage 1 – Ingroup Formation

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Boys were randomly divided into two groups: Rattlers and Eagles.

Each group lived in separate areas and engaged in bonding activities like hiking, swimming, and tent building.

They developed their own group identity, leaders, flags, and rules — creating strong ingroup cohesion.

Stage 2 – Friction Phase (Intergroup Conflict)

The two groups were introduced and made to compete in tournaments (baseball, tug-of-war, etc.) for prizes.

Soon, hostility developed — they called each other names, refused to eat together, and engaged in fights.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
This showed ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination.

Stage 3 – Integration Phase (Conflict Resolution)

Sherif introduced superordinate goals that required cooperation from both groups, such as:

1. Pulling a broken-down truck together.

2. Fixing the camp’s water supply.

3. Pooling money for a movie.

4. Cooperation reduced hostility and friendship developed between the groups.

Results
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
1. Competition created conflict and prejudice between groups.

2. Working on common goals reduced hostility and improved relationships.

3. The boys eventually shared meals and traveled home together as friends.

Conclusion

Sherif concluded that realistic conflict over limited resources leads to intergroup hostility, supporting the Realistic
Conflict Theory (RCT). Prejudice can be reduced when groups work together toward superordinate goals that
require cooperation.

Significance

1. Demonstrated how group conflicts form and how they can be resolved.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
2. Useful in reducing prejudice in schools, workplaces, and communities by encouraging
teamwork and cooperation.

APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Applied social psychology refers to the branch of social psychology that draws on social
psychological theories, principles, methods, and research evidence to contribute to

(a) the understanding of social and practical problems and

(b) the development of intervention strategies for improving the functioning of individuals,
groups, organizations, communities, and societies with respect to social and practical
problems.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
In this definition, functioning is broadly viewed as encompassing how well people perform or
operate with respect to any one of many criteria, including, for example, emotional and social
adjustment, physical health, and performance in school, work, or athletics.

Knolle and Walker (2019)- applied social psychology is "the application of theories,
methods, and techniques derived from social psychology to understand and address real-
world issues, problems, and challenges in social, organizational, and community contexts."
They emphasize the practical nature of the discipline and its focus on making a positive
impact on society.

Charles Stangor (2018) describes applied social psychology as "the use of social
psychological theories, research methods, and intervention techniques to understand and
solve social problems."
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Keizer, Buunk & Rothengatter (2017)- "Applied Social Psychology combines the science
of social psychology with the practical application of solving social problems that exist in the
real world".
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982

Applied Social Psychology as a science

1. The field of applied social psychology can be considered a scientific discipline due to its
reliance on empirical research methods and adherence to core scientific values.

2. Researchers in applied social psychology employ various methods such as surveys,

observations, case studies, and experiments to gather and analyse observable data. These
methods aim to test hypotheses and theories about human behaviour, enabling researchers
to establish causal relationships between social factors.

3. Key principles guiding social psychological research include objectivity, systematic

observation, replication, falsifiability, and the use of control groups. These principles ensure
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
the rigor, reliability, and validity of the research findings, facilitating meaningful conclusions
about human behaviour.

4. Moreover, applied social psychology integrates theories from diverse scientific fields like
sociology, anthropology, and psychology. This interdisciplinary approach broadens the range
of research questions and findings, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of
social behaviour and its influencing factors.

5. To qualify as scientific, studies in applied social psychology should adopt a core set of
values. Four essential values highlighted by Baron and Byrne (2004) are:

Accuracy- Researchers strive to gather and evaluate information with meticulous care,
precision, and minimal errors. They develop reliable measures for the constructs under
investigation to avoid false conclusions.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Objectivity- Researchers minimize bias in data collection and evaluation. They ensure that
their own expectations do not influence the behaviour of the subjects being studied.

Scepticism- Findings are considered accurate only when they have been repeatedly verified
through data analysis. Single study outcomes should be replicated in comparable studies to
eliminate the possibility of chance results.

Open-mindedness- Researchers accept evidence as valid, even if it contradicts their initial

beliefs and theories. They remain receptive to evidence that refutes their hypotheses,
acknowledging the importance of unbiased inquiry.

6. By upholding these scientific values, applied social psychology maintains its commitment
to rigorous and impartial research, enabling a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Functioning is broadly viewed as encompassing how well people perform or operate with
respect to any one of many criteria including emotional and social adjustment, physical
health, performance in school, work, or athletics and so on.

7. As a branch of Social Psychology, applied social psychology relies on the scientific

method and is guided by the core values of science. Applied social psychologists are
motivated by the goals of science: description, prediction, determining causality, and
explanation. However, they are also distinguished from other social psychologists by also
having a strong interest in the fifth goal of science: control - being able to manipulate
conditions that will cause changes in a phenomenon.

8. Applied social psychology is therefore concerned with the development and

implementation of intervention programs based on social-psychological principles so as to
improve the quality of behaviour. Applied social psychology does not stop with the mere
study of social problems. An extremely important realm of applied social psychology is to
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
develop interventions to solve the problems in our lives. The range of problems amenable to
social psychological interventions is extremely wide, for example, effects of TV on childhood
aggression patterns, development of pro-environmental attitudes, getting people to use safe
sex methods etc.

Example: Effect of watching violence on television in increasing the aggressive tendencies of

children. Parents who enjoy watching violent programmes on television may act as models
for their children and thereby reinforce their children's viewing violent programmes. An
intervention programme would involve the use of psychological theory, such as
reinforcement theory or social learning theory, to design an action plan to help parents
understand how their own behaviour can reinforce their child's behaviour and what they
should do to deal with the situation.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Salient features of applied social psychology:

Firmly rooted in theory

A theory serves three important functions in the design and application of an intervention
program. Firstly, a theory defines the nature and focus of an intervention program. The
nature of the theory defines and limits the operation of the intervention program. Moreover, a
popular theory is easily accepted by experts and laypersons alike, and any intervention
program based on such a popular theory is smoothly implemented and accepted in a
community. In designing intervention programs, social psychologists often face a conflict in
their preference for one theory over another.
Secondly, a good theory makes sound predictions. If parents stop their viewing of violent
programmes on television and notice that a change in their behaviour has an impact on their
child's behaviour, this success of the intervention programme can be tested at various
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
intervals. Similarly, the failure of a program can also be tested if a theory is weak or its
application unrealistic.

Focus on applications

Most social scientists believe that a good theory leads to effective application and view the
relationship between theory and practice as a one-way traffic. This was, however, the state
of affairs when social psychology was developing its scientific roots and had not
demonstrated sufficient applications in the real world. The perspective of this relationship
has now changed. Sometimes it is difficult to draw a fine line separating the relationship
between a theory and its practice. A major task in theory building is to gain knowledge and to
explain and predict a phenomenon. Using such knowledge, applied social psychology tries
to actually solve a problem in real life.
According to Weyant (1986), the practical applications of social psychology may be viewed
in three categories: basic, applicable, and applied. Basic research deals with the
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
development of the theory and the refinement of concepts. The applicable aspect of social
psychology is the potential for practical application.

The goal of applied social psychology is intervention

When social interventions are field tested and used as tools to solve problems, the nature of
social psychology becomes applied. The concepts of social psychology have been used
effectively to develop interventions and to find solutions in the areas of education, health,
law, consumer behaviour, environment and many more. The three-tier approach, as
suggested by Weyant, in understanding the nature of practical applications of social
psychology need to be sup supplemented by the issue of applicability of intervention, that is,
to what extent a programme is desirable and whether it is acceptable to the community.

Example: A patient who is not only terminally ill but also is suffering from unbearable pain
and finds that there is no point in prolonging life, requests for medical assistance in ending
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
his life. This patient wants to decide the future of his life, but the society does not grant him
this right. If a physician assists him, he will be charged with murdering his patient. the
applied nature of intervention consists of a positive demonstration that such assisted suicide
is possible. One issue that remains important is that of applicability, that is, the desirability of
an intervention programme and its acceptance.

HOW AND WHERE CAN ASP HELP-

A problem focus:

The nature of Applied Social Psychology is thus that it has a problem focus. A problem is
identified and then dealt with. There are 3 kinds of problems that can be addressed; Social,
Practical and Personal.

Social problems
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
At the very heart of applied social psychology is a regard for addressing social problems.
Morawski (2000) observed that since its very early days around the turn of the 20th century,
social psychology has had "an appreciation of its immediate connectedness with pulsing
social conditionscrises, dysfunctions, or tensions". Philip Zimbardo the president of APA in
2002 affirmed the central role of psychology in the solution of many of the most serious
problems facing the United States. To eradicate many of the most serious problems facing
us today, changes must occur in the very phenomena that constitute the core subject matter
of the field of social psychology—people's attitudes, values, and behaviors/lifestyle.

STUDY 1:
The AIDS epidemic is one of the most serious crises facing humanity. The 2010
UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic (Global Report, 2010) compares 2001 with
2009 on three key criteria for the world as a whole and also for two regions of the world:
North America and sub-Saharan Africa (the region that has been most severely devastated
by the AIDS epidemic). In 2009 alone 1.8 million people-adults and childrendied from AIDS
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
and 33.3 million people were living with HIV. However, AIDS-related deaths were no greater
in
2009 than in 2001. More important is that the actual peak year was 2004 when 2.1 million
died meaning the lower 2009 figure represents a substantial decrease. The increased
availability and application of antiretroviral therapy and increased care and support for
people who live with HIV are the main factors contributing to the decline in death rates. The
same factors also underlie the increase from 2001 to 2009 in the number of people who are
living with HIV. The most telling comparison is the one that indicates a substantial decrease
(16%) in the incidence of new infections between 2001 and 2009. In fact, in 33 countries (22
from sub-Saharan Africa), the rate of new infections declined more than 25%. And while
declines in deaths and increases in those living with HIV are primarily attributable to medical
treatment and care, the declines in new infection are the result of prevention efforts.

Practical problems.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Beyond any doubt, applied social psychology has enormous potential in the prevention and
reduction of social problems. However, a singular focus on social problems misrepresents
the past and current accomplishments and potential contributions of the field.

Example:Improvements to sports team cohesiveness and communication are considered as

means of dealing with the problem of poor team performance, and in decision making is
addressed in the context of improving both individual work performance and organizational
functioning. Although poor team performance and ineffective decision making are not
typically defined as social problems, they are certainly social in that they occur in the context
of groups, organizations, and people interacting with other people. Such unsatisfactory
circumstances that people (e.g., groups, organizations) face can be referred to as practical
problems to distinguish them from conventional social problems and to acknowledge their
centrality to the field of applied social psychology.

Personal uses.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Also, with respect to issues in everyday life, individuals can look to social psychology for
assistance. Each of us can use social psychological knowledge to improve his or her own
life.

STUDY:

To improve the size of a tip, a restaurant server might draw on the research on server
behavior (e.g., Rind & Strohmetz, 2001; Seiter & Weger, 2010). This research
shows that higher tips tend to be given when servers engage in positive verbal
communication (e.g., introduce themselves by name, mention that tomorrow's weather is
expected to be beautiful, complement a customer's meal choice) and also engage in positive
nonverbal behavior (e.g., smile, draw a smiley face on the check, and briefly touch the
customer's shoulder). A customer interested in receiving attentive service might be sure to
use the server's name given the evidence that when others use their names, people regard
this as a rewarding stimulus-as complementary—and tend to respond with positive acts in
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
kind (Howard, Gengler, & Jain,1997). These would be personal uses/applications of
social psychology.

The role of Personal Values

1. Despite one of the core scientific values being objectivity, it is widely recognized that an
individual's personal values influence many decisions that he or she makes as a scientist.

For example, a social psychologist with political inclinations may worry about racial injustice
in society which could lead them to choose an area of research that tries to find the cause
behind communal riots, prejudice, or discrimination.

2. The determination of what constitutes a problem which the psychologists should try to
control, depends on the personal values of the psychologist.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
3. Interventions developed by applied social psychologists are value laden in that the
psychologist's values play a role in determining what social and practical problems to
address including which people should be targeted for change and what should constitute
change.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP

The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.

The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.

Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his absence. 1930s - 50s Concerned with applied issues and
problems stemming from particular historical contexts - racism, Nazism, etc. Sherif's iconic
study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also greatly
contributed to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
1960s Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.

ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right. 1970s Journal of ASP (1970ff71) :
There were several notable benchmarks, including the establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971 Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of
Chicago in 1974 Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980

First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982

Social Psychological Understanding

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
(a) In-group Attitude

Refers to the positive feelings, loyalty, and preference people show toward their own group (e.g., family, religion,
nationality, school team).

It builds a sense of belonging and identity within members of the same group.

Example: Supporting one’s own country in sports competitions.

(b) Formation of In-group Attitudes

Formed through Social Identity and Social Categorization processes (Tajfel & Turner, 1979).

Individuals classify themselves and others into groups (e.g., “us” vs. “them”) and derive self-esteem
from group membership.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Strengthened by socialization, shared experiences, and common goals that reinforce unity and
belonging.

Example: School students developing pride in their school during inter-school competitions.

(c) In-group Biases

The tendency to show favoritism toward the in-group and discrimination against the out-group.

Leads to stereotypes, prejudice, and intergroup conflict.

Demonstrated in the Robbers Cave Experiment (Sherif, 1954), where competition created hostility
between groups, while cooperative goals reduced it.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Example: Preferring to hire someone from one’s own community over others.

Role of Situation in Applied Social Psychology

Applied Social Psychology emphasizes that human behavior is strongly influenced by the
situation in which a person is placed, rather than only by their personality traits or moral
values.

People’s actions often change according to social context, group pressure, authority, and
environmental cues.

Situational factors such as presence of others, social norms, authority figures, and
emergencies can alter behavior drastically — a key focus area in Applied Social Psychology.

1. Solomon Asch’s Conformity Study (1951)

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Aim:

To study how group pressure affects individual judgments.

Procedure:

Participants were shown lines of different lengths and had to match one line with another of
the same length.

Each group had only one real participant and several confederates who purposely gave
wrong answers.

Findings:

Around 75% of participants conformed at least once to the wrong group answer.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
This showed that people often conform to group pressure, even when the group is clearly
wrong.

Conclusion:

Behavior is shaped by social pressure and the desire to fit in, proving that situational
influence can override personal judgment.

2. Bibb Latané & John Darley’s Bystander Effect (1968)

Aim:

To study how the presence of others affects helping behavior in emergencies.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Procedure:

Participants believed they were taking part in a group discussion.

During the experiment, one person (a confederate) pretended to have a seizure.

Researchers observed how many participants helped.

Findings:

When people were alone, most helped immediately.

When they thought others were present, fewer people offered help.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
This is called diffusion of responsibility — people assume someone else will act.

Conclusion:

Situations involving groups can reduce individual responsibility, showing how social context
influences moral action.

3. Stanley Milgram’s Obedience Study (1974)

Aim:

To investigate obedience to authority even when it conflicts with personal conscience.

Procedure:
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Participants were told to deliver electric shocks to another person (a confederate) when they
answered wrongly.

The “teacher” was instructed by an authority figure (the experimenter) to continue increasing
the shock level.

Findings:

65% of participants obeyed orders and gave shocks up to the highest level (450 volts), even
when they believed the learner was in pain.

Conclusion:

Situational factors such as authority pressure, setting, and instructions can lead ordinary
people to perform acts against their conscience.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

The Fundamental Attribution Error refers to the tendency to overestimate personal or
dispositional factors (like character or attitude) and underestimate situational factors (like
circumstances) when explaining others’ behavior.

Example:

If someone cuts us off in traffic, we often assume they are rude or careless (personal trait),
rather than thinking they might be rushing to a hospital (situational factor).

This bias shows how people often ignore the power of the situation, which Applied Social
Psychology aims to highlight and correct.

Roles of an Applied Social Psychologist

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
Applied Social Psychologists perform a variety of roles in society to apply psychological
principles for solving real-life problems.

The main roles are as follows:

1. Advocate

An advocate uses social psychological knowledge to raise awareness and influence public
policies for social change.

They speak for groups facing prejudice, inequality, or discrimination and try to bring about
positive social reforms.

Example: Advocating for gender equality or anti-bullying programs in schools.

2. Consultant
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
A consultant provides expert advice to organizations, schools, government agencies, or
industries on how to apply social psychology to improve functioning.

They help in team building, leadership training, conflict resolution, and attitude change.

Example: Helping a company reduce workplace stress or improve cooperation among

employees.

3. Action Researcher

An action researcher is involved in identifying social issues and implementing practical

solutions.

They not only study the problem but also participate directly in changing the situation,
combining research and action.

Example: Working with communities to reduce substance abuse or promote health

awareness.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
4. Evaluation Researcher

An evaluation researcher assesses the effectiveness of social programs or interventions.

They measure outcomes to find out whether a program achieved its goals and suggest
improvements.

Example: Evaluating the success of a road-safety or anti-smoking campaign.

5. Programme Designer

A programme designer plans and develops intervention programs based on social

psychological principles.

They create strategies to modify behavior and attitudes in areas like health, education, or
environment.

Example: Designing a campaign to promote cleanliness or save water.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982
6. Researcher Who Investigates the Problem

This researcher studies the root causes of social and behavioral problems using scientific
methods.

They collect data, test hypotheses, and provide evidence-based insights that guide real-
world applications.

Example: Investigating causes of aggression, prejudice, or poor academic performance.

Conclusion
Thus, Applied Social Psychologists act as researchers, problem-solvers, and change agents
who apply theory to practice.

Their ultimate goal is to understand, prevent, and solve social problems to improve individual
and community well-being.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF ASP
The roots of applied social psychology can be traced to Kurt Lewin (1936), who conducted a
research in 1936 that
focused on certain social and practical issues and problems.
The purpose of these studies carried out by Lewin and his collaborators was not on adding
to the exiting fund of knowledge but to find a solution to a problem. Thus, Lewin mainly
worked in the direction of creating a link between theory and application.
Lewin left a solid scientific legacy for applied social psychology in his emphasis on the
integration of theory, research, and practice.
The 1930s and 1940s witnessed, among social psychologists such as Lewin, a flurry of
concern with applied issues and practical problems, much of which stemmed from the rise of
Nazism and World War I!
Study - Lewin, Lippitt and White (1939) - leadership style and its impact on interpersonal
relationships and
productivity.
Productivity high in case of democratic and autocratic leader, but in case of autocratic
leadership it dropped in his
absence. 1930s - 50s
Concerned with applied issues and problems stemming from particular historical contexts -
racism, Nazism, etc.
Sherif's iconic study - conflict resolution. Sheriff's research on conflict resolution in 1966 also
greatly contributed
to the development of the field of applied social psychology.
1960s
Social and political occurrences sparked a renewed interest in ASP
Increased need for psychologists to become more socially relevant.
ASP became identifiable as a discipline in its own right.
1970s
Journal of ASP (1970ff71) : There were several notable benchmarks, including the
establishment of a journal
devoted specifically to applied issues and research, the Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, in 1970-1971
Ist Doctoral Programme in this subject area - Loyola University of Chicago in 1974
Journal ff Basic and ASP in 1980
First textbook - Fisher's Social Psychology: An Applied Approach in 1982