Social Psychology Models of Mental Function and Behavior

By training, interest, and definition as a medical specialty, the field of psychiatry emphasizes the treatment of psychopathology (illnesses or disorders) of individual patients (children and adults). Social psychologists, on the other hand, study the ways in which behaviors and cognitions are shaped by the social environment and influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. The social psychologist is not so much focused on individual differences, but rather in determining scientifically the general principles that govern how the social world influences the behavior of all people. In other words, psychiatry largely focuses on the understanding and treatment of what are considered to be atypical cognitive patterns and behavior, whereas social psychologists focus on determining the general principles that govern how the social world influences the typical behavior of all people. In this chapter several points of convergence between the fields of psychiatry and social psychology are illustrated. Also discussed are ways in which psychiatry can be enriched by understanding some of the important findings of social psychology research and their implications for psychiatric assessment and treatment. Notably, social psychological theory not only informs our conceptualization of patient cognitions and behaviors but also provides insight into issues facing patients’ close others and care providers.