These perspectives inform how researchers consider the problem and the types of explanations they might explore.
This approach proposes that children learn behavior through problem-solving interactions with other children and adults.
Through these interactions, they learn the values and norms of their society.
Paul Biris / Getty Images
Social psychologists using this perspective might look at how cultural norms and social influence impact social behavior.
Evolutionary Perspective
Theevolutionary perspectivein social psychology argues that social behaviors develop through genetics and inheritance.
This perspective emphasizes the role of biology and gene transmission across generations to explain current behavior.
According to this viewpoint, we learn behaviors by observing and mimicking the behavior of others.
Psychologist Albert Bandura made important contributions to this area of social psychology.
His theory of observational learning suggests that a great deal of learning occurs by watching others.
Social-Cognitive Perspective
The social-cognitive perspective in social psychology supports an information-processing model of social behavior.
By understanding how information is processed, we can better understand how patterns of thoughts impact behavior.
For example, imagine that researchers are trying to understand interpersonal aggression.
2019;10. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01515
Seiffert-Brockmann J.Evolutionary psychology: A framework for strategic communication research.International Journal of Strategic Communication.
A longitudinal intervention study.Mol Psychiatry.
2019;24(8):1220-1234. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0031-7
Heyes C.Whats social about social learning?Journal of Comparative Psychology.
2014;67(12):2392-2408. doi:10.1080/17470218.2014.931443
