experiments in social psychology

Experiments in social psychology investigate how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence, actions, or expectations of others. These studies often involve controlled settings where variables like group norms, authority, or stereotypes are manipulated to observe their effects. For example, experiments might examine obedience by testing how individuals follow authority figures, or conformity by seeing whether people change their opinions to match a group. Such research helps us understand social influences on behavior, revealing why people act differently in groups versus alone, and informing strategies to promote positive social interactions.