This assignment aims to give a general explanation of social psychology; establish what the topic covers, its contribution to psychological research, the questions social psychologists attempt to answer, and how it is different from other psychological fields. The history of social psychology will be explored with reference to social psychological “crises.” In the final part of this assignment, influential research on obedience will be explored and evaluated with reference to its impact on social psychology. Social psychology involves defining human behavior using scientific methods. Gordon Allport (1985) asserted that we use scientific methods such as imperial data to "understand and explain how the thinking, feelings and behavior of individuals are influenced by the real, imagined or implied presence of other human beings" . Social psychologists are ultimately interested in the effect of others on our own behavior, producing much research on the nature versus nurture debate. The research it provides helps us understand human behavior in a wide range of scenarios. For example, the effects of groups or to explain why we conform or why we can obey. The psychological approach asks and aims to answer questions such as “how do you perceive yourself to the rest of the world?” How does this perception change the way you think, act, and react to the world? And how do other people's opinions impact the way you think, act, and respond to the world? »Hancock. H (2011) The question I am interested in is: are individuals affected by stereotypes and how does this affect behavior? The social psychology approach contributes much to our perception of "ourselves" as individuals or groups and has provided many fascinating studies...... middle of article.... .... his study was more of a “game”. However, this study was a great example of deindividualization, showing a loss of self-awareness and how participants formed a group rather than remaining individuals. One benefit of the study was that it produced influential research on human behavior that led "the U.S. Congress to change the law so that juveniles accused of federal crimes would no longer be housed with adult prisoners until their trial (to prevent them from being mistreated).” “The main lesson from Milgram and Zimardo’s research is that people underestimate the power of a situation to influence and shape their behavior.” Milgram's and Zimbardos' studies explain individual behaviors through "situational rather than dispositional factors" and although both studies have methodological problems, they have contributed enormously to and determined the way we perceive human behavior..