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  • Essay / Understanding Human Behavior Through Social Psychology

    In addition, Allport took a methodological approach by discussing actual research and emphasizing that the field of social psychology is a scientific field that studies human behavior and impact of our actions on others ( ). Allport's book highlights social topics still evident today, including conformity, emotion, and the effects of an audience on others ( ). Furthermore, early experiments conducted by some of the most prominent social psychologists include Triplett's (1898) analysis aimed at studying the performance of cyclists and how the presence of others influences overall performance ( ). Additionally, Lwwin et al. (1939) conducted an experiment on leadership and group processes, examining the ethic of effective work in different leadership styles ( ). However, later critical research in social psychology developed after World War II, when individuals became interested in the behavior of others when grouped in a social situation ( ). Some studies have focused on how attitudes are formed or changed by social context. Among the most famous works in social psychology is Milgram's ( ) experiment on obedience, which examines the role that the authority figure plays in shaping behavior. Similarly, Zimbardo's prison simulation experiment demonstrated the conformity of assigned roles in the social world (). Consequently, broader topics such as social perception, prosocial behavior, aggression, attribution, racism and discrimination have emerged over the years.