A person spends most of his life in society. Everyone has a certain social status. And psychologists constantly conduct various tests and studies in different groups. It turns out that a person's thinking varies greatly depending on certain factors. This is what 10 social psychology lessons will tell you that will be useful to everyone.
Interaction is important for every person
Someone considers himself a sociopath, and thinks that he absolutely does not need this interaction. However, in the United States, psychologists conducted a test, at the end of which it turned out that 20% of people who received congratulations or cards from strangers answered them. And the waiter, who lingered slightly at the clients' tables, talking about the composition of the dish, received more tips per shift.
Man values his property more
You've probably heard the phrase "not your own - do not mind" often. So it really is. A person takes care of his own, treats other people's things more negligently. And if he liked the thing, but for some reason is no longer needed, he will move it from place to place for years, not daring to sell it.
If you have to put your favorite car or house on sale, the price will be higher than the market price.
Smile
A few facts about smiling:
- When watching a film, a person sometimes laughs even at us with the most ridiculous scenes, if those around him laugh.
- Laughter is contagious, just like a smile.
- The person who won the lottery will smile only after he turns to the people who are nearby.
- Students who often smiled with a Duchenne smile (this smile is considered sincere, the muscles around the mouth and eyes are involved), more often than others, said they were happy. And also, their family life was more successful.
- People who do not know how to smile broadly and sincerely are more likely to get divorced.
- If you're in a bad mood, smile broadly for 5 minutes. This way you trick your brain and your mood will rise.
Observation from the outside is only useful in some cases
- A psychological experiment revealed when observation from the outside is harmful, and when it is useful.
- If you are dining with someone, chances are you will eat more.
- If you are doing simple work and someone is looking at you, the result will improve.
- When performing complex tasks, strangers get in the way, even if they do not distract you, but simply sit on the sidelines.
- If you sit two employees side by side and give them the same task, whispering in one ear that the other is coming forward, the effect of competition will increase productivity.
- The repairman in the corner of the office will reduce the efficiency of all employees by 30%. Even if he doesn't bother anyone.
Are happy people rich?
YouTube offers tons of videos in which self-development boils down to becoming rich and happy. Moreover, self-development courses do not set poor people as an example. Only the rich and successful are happy. What does the social experiment say?
The experiment involved residents of 48 countries of the world. And the majority of those surveyed believed that happiness is the foundation of life. Neither money, nor paradise after death, nor recognition, nor prospects seduce people. In general, happy people did not do well in school and work for low wages. If a really happy person is rich enough, he shares with those in need.
According to the survey results, people who earn more than the living wage are more likely to become depressed and less likely to experience a state of happiness. Is it really true that happiness is not about money?
How Power Affects Emotions and Behavior
It turns out that not everyone passes the test of authority. The Milgram experiment was conducted, where the assistant psychologist was in the role of the victim. The victim sat in an electric chair, and for knowingly incorrect answers, the subject turned on a slight current discharge. When the subject was asked to choose the strength of the discharge to "punish" the victim on his own, 63% gave the maximum discharge, despite the victim's pleas, which could lead to death, if all this were not staged.
Stanford was planning a 2-week experiment, at the beginning of which people were voluntarily divided into prison guards and inmates. After 6 days, the experiment was interrupted, as the guards got used to the role too much, and simply terrorized the prisoners.
Self-control as a path to success
Usually, this is how they check younger students, or children 5-6 years old. They leave a candy on the table (cookies, marmalade, or another delicacy that the child loves) and say that he can eat it right away, or wait for the adult to return. If the child waits, he will receive a double portion.
They put a hidden camera and observe how the child behaves. If he eats a treat right away, it will be very difficult for him to work for the future. For such a child, only work with a momentary result is suitable. Such a child, if his education is not adjusted, will not be able to develop his business.
If a child tries to quietly bite off a bite as if no one will notice, in the future he will be very dodgy and not always honest.
The child, who has waited for the "controller" with a double portion of the delicacy, is purposeful. This is the beginning of the road to success. The most important thing is to build the right relationships so that your student achieves their goals.
For adults, too, not all is lost. You can take a short course on self-control and adjust your behavior. If self-study does not work, you can sign up for online training with an experienced psychologist. The most important thing is to start studying information about how to become better and follow what the author says.
Herd instinct
In conducting research, a group of people were asked to tell false information. The whole group answered a simple question as agreed. A subject was added to this group, and 37 out of 50 people said the same thing as the rest, although they knew perfectly well that the answer was wrong. Remember the fairy tale Dress of the King? Only the little boy was not afraid to tell the truth and go against the crowd.
They are greeted by clothes
Very often we look at beautiful, stylish, successful people who smile from their Instagram page and believe that they live like in a fairy tale. That they are smart, kind, honest. But this is not always the case. Appearances are often deceiving, and a dummy is hidden behind a beautiful wrapper.
Don't believe what they want to show you. Happiness loves silence and doesn't need to be put on display.
How does a reward affect work performance?
Psychologists have conducted research that not all bonuses increase productivity.
- If a good employee is unexpectedly written a bonus, he will try harder next month and his productivity will increase.
- If the bonus is issued on a monthly basis, and its amount does not change, they will work as usual.
- If the amount of the bonus depends directly on the amount of work performed, productivity will increase significantly.
- Often people need not so much money as recognition. An honorary plaque and a photo of the best employee of the month will increase the efficiency of the entire department.
