Social psychology is the study of how people think, influence, and relate to each other. Social psychology explores topics such as traits, attitudes, goals, as well as social norms and social behavior. Additional topics include prejudice, romantic attraction, persuasion, friendship, human and cultural diversity, helping, aggression, group relationships, attitude formation, stereotypes, minority issues, conformity, and group interaction.
A successful social psychologist will have skills in analyzing and interpreting social research data, as well as applying those findings. Most programs in this area of psychology will provide you with a solid foundation in the study of psychology with a set of electives geared towards social psychology topics such as social institutions, social problems, ethical issues in social science, writing for science directors of social research and statistics for the social sciences.
Careers with a degree in social psychology online
There are many job opportunities open to social psychologists. With this degree, you could teach or research at a university or college. Most social psychologists are located in departments of psychology, but they are also present in departments such as business, education, marketing, communication, sociology, law, and medicine.
Apart from academics, social psychologists work in the private sector, whether as a consultant, marketing director, political strategist, technology designer, or researcher. They act as trail consultants who advise on jury selection, assist the trail team, and test mock juries. Additionally, social psychologists work in government organizations, working on educational policy, environmental protection, and conflict resolution.
As a social science analyst, social psychologists help recommend policies designed to promote the safety of the American people. As drug control consultants, they help review research and make drug control recommendations. Other government positions include the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Census Bureau, and the CIA / FBI.
Salary and job prospects
This degree program will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities. As a result, it is difficult to estimate the average income level of a social psychologist, as this will depend on the specific specialization, location, and type of employment. As in any profession, those with a Ph.D. will earn the highest salary, far more than those with a master’s degree.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), social psychologists with a Ph.D. earned a median income of $ 92,500. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the job outlook for psychologists is Excellent and is expected to grow faster than average for all other occupations well into 2014.
Are Online Degree Programs A Good Idea?
Online social psychology degree programs have a number of benefits. They allow for great flexibility and ensure that you can continue your education while working full time. Your life doesn’t have to fit your course work, your courses fit your life.
Online learning environments provide a student-centered and academically challenging cooperative learning environment. In this type of learning model, discussion, not lecture, is the primary method of knowledge distribution.
If you like lectures and passive learning style, online learning is not for you. You must have motivation and dedication to be successful in an online program. Carefully consider your learning style before deciding to enroll in a full-time online degree program. If you are unsure whether an online environment is right for you, try it out first. Try taking a course or two online and compare it to your traditional learning experience. Online learning is not for everyone, to be successful for you, it must be comfortable and what you want to do.
