How people think about, influence, and relate to one another is the domain of social psychology. The field examines the power of the situation alongside individual differences.

Classic topics include conformity, obedience, attitudes, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, helping, group behavior, and the self in social context. Methods range from laboratory experiments that isolate causal factors to field studies and surveys that capture real-world complexity. Social psychology has demonstrated that ordinary people can commit extraordinary harm or offer unexpected help depending on the surrounding conditions.

Applications appear in health campaigns, conflict resolution, organizational behavior, and legal procedures. The discipline continually balances the study of universal processes with attention to cultural variation. Social psychology shows that the boundary between individual and social is more permeable than everyday intuition suggests.

• Study of thought, influence, and relations among people
• Emphasizes situational power
• Uses experimental and field methods
• Informs interventions in many applied domains