Félagssálfræði

Félagssálfræði is the Icelandic term for social psychology. It is a branch of psychology that studies how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. This field explores a wide range of social phenomena, including social perception, social interaction, conformity, obedience, group dynamics, prejudice, attraction, and aggression.

Social psychologists aim to understand the principles that govern human social behavior. They often use experimental methods to test hypotheses about how social situations affect individuals. Research in félagssálfræði can help explain why people behave differently in groups compared to when they are alone, how attitudes are formed and changed, and the mechanisms behind intergroup conflict and cooperation.

Key areas of study within félagssálfræði include attribution theory, which examines how people explain the causes of behavior; cognitive dissonance theory, which explores the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes; and social influence, which investigates how individuals are affected by the actions and opinions of others. The field draws on various theoretical perspectives, including cognitive, behavioral, and evolutionary approaches, to provide a comprehensive understanding of social behavior.