Social psychology is what is and where it is applied? What is the difference between social psychology and ideology?

What is the difference between social psychology and ideology? Are there any differences between them? Or the essence of these concepts is absolutely identical, only the names are different? The answers will be found in this article.

On the concept of social psychology

For most people, it is not a secret that psychology includes many different subspecies. And each of them studies various problems, phenomena, questions. So, social psychology is one of the subspecies of psychology. Only she studies and thoroughly studies certain human processes.

You can ask questions about this definition to different people. And, most likely, they will all respond in different ways. However, the greatest meaning of this definition is based on the word "social". So, what does this concept mean? Public psychology is a system of traditions, habits, feelings and emotions that are formed in a person as a result of finding him in a direct social environment. This concept also includes certain human beliefs on the topic of politics, morality and rights that have developed as a result of the influence of the public masses of people.

Differences between concepts

What, then, is the concept of ideology? True, there are some common signs between social psychology and ideology, but they are still different concepts. By ideology is understood the individual perception of social psychology. Then what is the difference between social psychology and ideology?

The fact is that ideology considers the system of human views on socially conditioned processes from the theoretical side, relying on the rational consciousness of a person. While social psychology relies on emotional consciousness, feelings and moods. Of course, this line between the two concepts is very difficult to find, let alone give it an explanation, but it is important to build a unique model of perception of these concepts. Before attempting to define, it is important to remember that public psychology and ideology are parallel concepts.

Public influence

Public psychology is a collection of various contradictory sensations, versatile perception of all sorts of processes in a person's life. It is necessary to understand that all the interests of people are formed solely from the position of a particular society in which they are located. These interests and views are influenced directly by the will of this society and its intellect. Yes, it is intellect. It is inherent not only to an individual person, but also to a group of persons, to the collective, to society as a whole.

Of course, one can relate to public opinion inconsistently, somewhere to disagree with him, but one way or another he will have to advise him. It is under the influence of society that habits, a point of view, some customs that a person will carry through his whole life are formed. This social "upbringing" can have a positive effect on a person's personality, but sometimes can be harmful.

Fundamentals of ideology and social psychology

Proceeding from this, one can also understand how social psychology and ideology differ. Ideology is formed from theoretical foundations, certain effective programs and recognition mechanisms. There is no process of perception of information or society at the level of feelings and emotions, there is a clear support for the theory. But, like social psychology, ideology is a mass consciousness. Social psychology has been formed for a long time, has undergone a number of changes in the course of its own "evolution" and has become an independent system that develops even with the help of rumors or fashion. Social psychology exists on suggestion, on the imposition of opinions, and ideology on persuasion, where specific arguments are given. But in either case, it is simply necessary to eliminate all obstacles between the collective of personalities.

Existence in society

Public psychology is a philosophy that gives abstract understanding to people, it can also mislead or inculcate an incorrect image of perception. However, being in this or that society, a collective, a mass of people, a person involuntarily has to accept "rules". He can oppress it, cause negative feelings, but most likely he will get used to it after some time. Anyway, any personality exists in the society, and its personal perception is formed with the help of society.

It is not surprising that sometimes there are contradictions with the opinion of this society, but the person continues to live and develop in it. Each of us receives any experience, knowledge, skills, traditions, foundations due to this or that social group. Be it a family, a collective, a public mass. It is also difficult to deny the fact that human views on political problems or religious perceptions are also formed with the help of society. Of course, considerable place is given to individual characteristics of personality: temperament, character, level of perception and education. But one way or another, the final result is interconnected with public opinion.

Existence outside society

The concept of "social psychology" well reveals the theme of human development in society, its outlook, positions, opinions. Is it possible for the existence and development of a person outside of society? Of course, many will say that now there is a huge mass of people who enjoy spending time alone, closing in the four walls of their apartment. Undoubtedly, such a problem exists in modern society and does not cause positive emotions, but this is not the issue. These people in one way or another all the same come in contact with the society: go to the shops, work, meet with a narrow circle of friends, watch the life process of other people.

And what will happen if a person is simply "pulled out" of society? Most people will not even be able to survive alone in conditions, for example, of the taiga. There is a notion of Mowgli people who completely lose the signs of social development: they are not able to speak, they make incomprehensible sounds, can not eat normally, can not read and write, their psychological characteristics, external and physiological, are violated.

Negative consequences

Social psychology is the formation of collective views and opinions on a particular issue, the process. Did anyone wonder how it affects a person? Is the information correct? Or does it harm a person? In fact, there are several stages of social psychology. And one of them is the imposition of erroneous opinions, rumors. Sometimes very often there are such processes as deliberately false accusation, the provision of incorrect or incorrect information, "labeling".

However, in periods when there is some negative situation among the public, people are trying to find out everything on their own. They see that they are given incorrect information, and sometimes they try to create another critical situation for distraction. Such a position does not like anybody, and the authority of public authority falls sharply.

Contradictory views

Public psychology is a science that is widely used in all spheres of human life. Although there are a lot of opinions on this score. Some believe that social psychology is a science, while others believe that this is not science at all. One point of view is that psychology itself does not almost use any calculations, experiments, measurements. Such ideas can be attributed only to humanitarian knowledge. From another point of view, the opposite is true. It is believed that in psychology, various experimental techniques are used very actively to confirm or disprove this or that hypothesis. In fact, social psychology is part of the system of human sciences. What really is confirmed by a number of common methods that are widely used in the modern world. So where is social psychology applied?

Application of social psychology

As already mentioned, social psychology is a science that participates in almost all spheres of human life. And recently the need for its study is growing. Its methods are widely spread to the political sphere, economic, religious, in the media.

Practically in any bank there are even specialists who are engaged in this work. Special centers with skilled workers are created, which provide assistance to different segments of the population. Even industrial production refers to social psychology. Heads of some small and large organizations are ready to take special courses, receive additional education in this specialty in order that their process of interaction with employees develops in the most successful manner.