Socio-psychological phenomena: definition, classification

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Socio-psychological phenomena accompany us all our lives. These include perception, imitation, understanding, suggestion, leadership, persuasion, relationships, and more. All this is usually manifested in the process of communication, which, in turn, is considered to be the central phenomenon in psychology. However, about everything - in order.

Specifics

First of all, it should be noted that socio-psychological phenomena are usually considered at several levels - at the officially formalized, personal-institutional and interpersonal levels. And in general, all communication, in principle, is perceived as a means of improving the quality of training and work, as a special phenomenon. After all, it is in its process that the psychological and social structure of an individual, small groups and entire teams is formed.

So, what is the specificity of the given topic? In the fact that all socio-psychological phenomena that seem familiar to us are usually considered from several points of view. To be more precise, they are “decomposed” into levels.

At the first, something social only acts as a corrector of the biological and natural. On the second, the universal human factor is manifested. Differences in age, gender are taken into account, the continuity of generations is taken into account.

And finally, the third level. It, in short, includes economic and political conditions, which are important reasons for the socialization of the individual.

And the central link in all this is the conceptual apparatus. That is, the basic concepts that express the structure of small groups, individuals, as well as mass phenomena.

Classification

Socio-psychological phenomena of social psychology and their manifestations depend on many things. From communities, small and large groups in which they arise.

Also on their type. Communities are both organized and unorganized. The phenomena arising in them are called mass-like (this will be discussed below), and the behavior is called spontaneous.

The class of psychological phenomena also matters. Phenomena can be rationally meaningful (opinion, belief, values), emotionally ordered (mood, social feelings), functioning in certain conditions (for example, in extreme or conflict situations). And of course, they are both conscious and unconscious.

On Public Opinion: Definition

Theoretical knowledge is useful, but it is worth moving to practice and considering socio-psychological phenomena directly. One of themis a form of mass consciousness. That is public opinion. It is in it that the attitude of people (sometimes even entire groups) to certain processes is manifested. The definition clarifies - what to those that affect their needs or interests. But reality shows that modern people express their opinion in relation to everything, even if it does not concern them.

Characterization of the phenomenon

Public opinion can be formed in different ways - either consciously or spontaneously. In the second case, the judgment is based on certain information that is transmitted from one mouth to another. Take, for example, the political sphere. It is unlikely that people in modern society are all experts in topics related to it. However, most of them are happy to talk about politics, and many of their judgments seem intelligent. Why? Because the opinion expressed by them is based on the information provided by the media, politicians themselves, authoritative people. This is at best. Usually there are still rumors, misconceptions, gossip, ideologies, beliefs.

In fact, people absorb everything they hear into their minds, after which they simply reinforce it with their guesses. And now "their" opinion is formed.

About a conscious approach

It can be separated into a separate short topic. Because the conscious approach in our time is not as “popular” as the one mentioned above. Because the very way of life is spontaneous. For an opinion to be conscious, people (all or most) must approach the perception of reality.subjectively. And this implies the ability to think independently, rarely focusing on something generally accepted and already established in society. Which, again, is not typical for everyone.

Scale

There is one feature of public opinion - it has an impact. Even if it happened in a small team.

Example: There is a relatively small business that employs 50 people. As elsewhere, there works the one who is called an outcast. Why is there such an opinion about him? Perhaps he was not as sociable as everyone else, or he always behaved quietly, did not mind anyone. If normal people work in the team, then this person will not cause any discussion. But it often happens that personalities of this type become "outcasts", "scapegoats" for dumping unpleasant work on them. They speculate about their unsociableness, weave around intrigues. And so, at one moment, such a person acquires the final image invented by his "well-wishers"

And this is just one example. Needless to say about the influence of public opinion, which covers the problems of international life and economic issues.

Types of interactions

Joint activity is also commonly perceived as a socio-psychological phenomenon. Why? Because it is a connection with other people for some purpose.

It cannot be realized if nothing binds its participants. Compatibility is in all cases. her firstoption is called psychophysiological. It manifests itself in cases where joint activities are carried out by similar people. They are united by a similar character, identical behavioral reactions, similar attitudes, perhaps even a worldview. All this leads to consistency between them. And its presence is necessary to achieve the goals.

The second compatibility option is socio-psychological. It is considered to be the most optimal. Since it implies a combination of types of behavior of people in a certain group and the commonality of their attitudes, interests and values.

Connecting and delivering results

This is what collaboration implies. Cohesion is a process during which a specific connection is formed between people, due to which they are united into a “single organism”. Everything, again, is done in order to achieve certain goals and results. Each of the group members is interested in this.

It is customary to distinguish levels of cohesion. And at the first, the development of emotional contacts usually occurs - a manifestation of sympathy and disposition of people towards each other, for example. The second level involves the process of convincing each person that his value system is the same as others. And on the third, the division of the common goal is carried out.

All this affects the formation of the so-called socio-psychological climate in the team, which contributes to maintaining a general mood, a decent level of performance and well-being.

Phenomena among the masses

Society is a form of bringing people together. Accordingly, such a concept as a mass psyche directly relates to the topic under discussion. Other terms follow from it. Mass consciousness, for example. It is one of the most common. Or mass mood. We have all heard these concepts at least once.

Here, for example, mass phenomena of the psyche. This is the name of certain phenomena that arise, exist and develop in rather large social groups. Such are the mass sentiments. These are mental states that affect a large number of people. The prerequisites for their occurrence are usually events of a political, social, economic and even spiritual nature. Naturally, negative mass moods are most often manifested most clearly. Which are capable of destroying the socio-political systems that are well-established in society and disgusted with it. The tumultuous events of the 1990s showed just how powerful sentiments can be.

Personality

She also has a place to be in the subject of socio-psychological phenomena. Because often they do not belong to society, but to a single individual. This refers to those phenomena that are due to the characteristics, behavior and actions of a particular person. It can be social status, the role of the individual, her position, values, attitudes. It often happens that because of only one person in any group (in the same work team) such phenomena occur that without him there is no place to be. If, let's saythe office is run by an evil boss, who constantly and for any reason breaks down on employees - then every time he is there, most employees will have a tense state. Because everyone will anticipate the "storm", and perceive themselves as a potential victim. And again, this is just one example.

What is the law of imitation?

The answer to this question was once given by the French sociologist Gabriel Tarde. Or rather, he formulated it.

Tard argued that imitation is the main driving force of social development - it is imitation. And all the similarities that can be in our world are due to simple repetition.

The sociologist singled out the logical laws of imitation - those based on the means of disseminating a certain innovation or the calculation of the goal. Innovations were designated as a separate category.

But the most important thing in the law is that imitation goes to the outside from the inside. In other words, the mind is always ahead of the feelings. Ideas come before meaning. And the ends come before the means. And of course, the desire to imitate in people causes only the most prestigious. Because hierarchy matters.

Functions of social groups and division into them

It has always been. Socio-psychological groups have existed as long as humanity has. Over time, only their names have changed. But in general, there have always been associations of people who have some kind of common social attribute.

There are many different approachesconcerning the definition of the classification of the functions of such groups. It is customary to single out a few as the main ones.

The first function is socialization. It is believed that a person can ensure his full existence and survival only in a group.

The second function is instrumental. It implies the joint implementation by a group of one or another activity (the interaction has already been mentioned above).

The third function is expressive. This includes everything related to psychology. This is the mutual approval of people, respect, trust, friendship, feelings, emotions and much more.

And, finally, the fourth function is supporting. Its essence lies in the fact that all people strive to unite in difficult situations. These are their socio-psychological characteristics. It is easier to cope with something together (both physically and mentally) than alone.

About problems

The topic concerning them should also be noted with attention. Socio-psychological problems concern everyone today.

Take, for example, a small group like a family. Nowadays, not every union ends its existence in a natural way - that is, the departure of one of the spouses to another world. Increasingly, marriages are breaking up. About 80%, according to statistics! And almost always, the causes are emerging and unresolved psychological problems.

Or, for example, the elderly. They also have a lot of problems of a socio-psychological nature. One of the few is a sharp decline in their status in society. They stopfunction as well as individuals, which often leads to breakdowns.

And the youth? It seems to many that this is who, and they certainly should not have problems. But this is nothing more than bias and stereotypes. The search for one's place in life, attempts to “join” society and certain groups, competition in all its manifestations. Yes, all problems have different socio-psychological characteristics. But they always accompany us, at any age. And some, perhaps, more often, others less often. Can they be completely avoided? Yes, definitely. If you live outside of society. Which, however, is difficult to achieve.