The Role of Theory in Applied Social Psychology This is the first of three Audio PowerPoint Lectures in Soc 3332 – Understanding Social Behavior By Dr. Byron K. Hargrove Let’s begin with a quote about theory. In science, a theory is not just a guess. It’s a well-substantiated, well-supported, well-documented explanation for observations. (Baumeister & Bushman, 2017) In this lecture we will review the main e-text chapter points about the role of theory in social psychology and provide additional definition of terms. “ ” The key points to remember in your e-text for this week are as follows: #1. To maintain a scientific mindset, we need to hold scientific values, set scientific goals, and follow the five step scientific process in order to empirically discover social truths. #2. The five steps of the scientific process are: (a) observation, (b) theory development using induction, © use deduction, (d) move toward hypothesis-testing, and (E) create interventions. Now let’s take a moment to compare and contrast the inductive and deductive approaches in social psychology. Basic Social Psychologists tend to operate using the Deductive Approach (think theory-oriented, or start universal then go specific). In other words, basic social psychologists begin with a big theory (such as attachment theory) and examine all of the possible small or specific applications to social behaviors (Steg et al., 2008). Applied Social Psychologists tend to operate using the Inductive Approach (think problem-oriented, or start small then generate general principles). In other words, Applied Social Psychologists begin with social problem and then examine how multiple theories can be used to explain a social phenomenon (such as the #me too movement and Cases of sexual misconduct). (Steg et al., 2008). Now let’s return to the e-text chapter summary countdown of key points. #3. Basic Social Psychologists theories provide three main functions – Organization, Hypothesis-Testing, and a Guide for Interventions. So a Good Theory organizes principles and hypotheses, leads to testable hypotheses, and leads to clear ways to intervene on social problems. #4. All Theories can be evaluated along four characteristics: Scope, Range, Testability, and Parsimony. You will be asked to review the theories introduced in your e-text using these characteristics. Let’s examine the four evaluation characteristics of theories more closely. #5. First, let’s focus on the SCOPE of a theory. Ask yourself, based on what you were able to research on the Theory, how many social thoughts, feelings, or behaviors does this theory attempt to explain? Is this a major, mid-level, or minor level Theory? Is the Theory broad in scope or delimited to one aspect of a social phenomenon? #6. A second characteristic is the RANGE of a Theory. In other words, do the theoretical predictions work for a special population or group only, or is the Theory more Universal for everyone in terms of s.

1. The Role of Theory in Applied Social Psychology
This is the first of three Audio PowerPoint
Lectures in Soc 3332 – Understanding Social Behavior
By Dr. Byron K. Hargrove
Let’s begin with a quote about theory.
In science, a theory is not just a guess. It’s a well-substantiated,
well-supported, well-documented explanation for observations.
(Baumeister & Bushman, 2017)
In this lecture we will review the main e-text chapter points
about the role of theory in social psychology and provide
additional definition of terms.
“
”
The key points to remember in your e-text for this week are as
follows:
#1. To maintain a scientific mindset, we need to hold scientific
values, set scientific goals, and follow the five step scientific
process in order to empirically discover social truths.
#2. The five steps of the scientific process are: (a) observation,
(b) theory development using induction, © use deduction, (d)
move toward hypothesis-testing, and (E) create interventions.
Now let’s take a moment to compare and contrast the inductive
and deductive approaches in social psychology.

2. Basic Social Psychologists tend to operate using the Deductive
Approach (think theory-oriented, or start universal then go
specific). In other words, basic social psychologists begin with
a big theory (such as attachment theory) and examine all of the
possible small or specific applications to social behaviors (Steg
et al., 2008).
Applied Social Psychologists tend to operate using the
Inductive Approach (think problem-oriented, or start small then
generate general principles). In other words, Applied Social
Psychologists begin with social problem and then examine how
multiple theories can be used to explain a social phenomenon
(such as the #me too movement and Cases of sexual
misconduct). (Steg et al., 2008).
Now let’s return to the e-text chapter summary countdown of
key points.
#3. Basic Social Psychologists theories provide three main
functions – Organization, Hypothesis-Testing, and a Guide for
Interventions. So a Good Theory organizes principles and
hypotheses, leads to testable hypotheses, and leads to clear
ways to intervene on social problems.
#4. All Theories can be evaluated along four characteristics:
Scope, Range, Testability, and Parsimony. You will be asked to
review the theories introduced in your e-text using these
characteristics.
Let’s examine the four evaluation characteristics of theories
more closely.
#5. First, let’s focus on the SCOPE of a theory. Ask yourself,
based on what you were able to research on the Theory, how
many social thoughts, feelings, or behaviors does this theory
attempt to explain? Is this a major, mid-level, or minor level

3. Theory? Is the Theory broad in scope or delimited to one
aspect of a social phenomenon?
#6. A second characteristic is the RANGE of a Theory. In other
words, do the theoretical predictions work for a special
population or group only, or is the Theory more Universal for
everyone in terms of social behaviors, thoughts, and feelings?
This is the classic debate over Universality versus Individuality.
This slide covers the final two characteristics – Testability and
Parsimony.
#7. In order to achieve Testability of a theory the Theory must
generate interest in the form of real empirical research studies.
For scientific understanding, can the theory be disproven? Ask
yourself, based on critical research methods, can the theory be
refuted or disproved?
#8. When it comes to theoretical Parsimony, ask yourself, can
the key predictions and principles within theory be described in
the most simplistic or very few terms? Is it easy to follow and
understood by most people?
Your E-text chapter introduces the reader to Leon Festinger’s
theory of cognitive dissonance as an example of a mid-level
theory.
#9. Leon Festinger theorized that all humans are motivated to
maintain consistency among cognitions (thoughts, attitudes,
knowledge, or values).
“The theory organizes what we know about human
inconsistency in such a way that we are lead to some non-
obvious conclusions about the relationship between attitudes
and behaviors.” Pay close attention to Figure 2.2 on p. 34.
#10. For example, What if you had a positive attitude toward
Kevin Spacey, Bill Cosby, Matt Lauer, Roy Moore, or Charlie
Rose before 2017. How would you reconcile your positive

4. attitudes with the news about them and how they treated women
and coworkers? Cognitive Dissonance Theory suggests that
inconsistency in cognitions (e.g., “I like him” vs. “he is a Bully
or predator”) would lead a person to either change your positive
attitude or discount the news as Fake or a Conspiracy.
Another mid-level theory provided in the chapter was the theory
of planned behavior.
#11. Ajzen suggests that attempts to do a behavior are best
predicted when a person forms behavioral intentions.
subjective norms, perceptions of control, and attitudes predict
intentions. This theory has clear organization, direction, and
intervention.
Please see the example provided in your chapter and the figures.
Now, I would like to bring in another perspective on applied
social psychology and use of theory.
In “Applied Social psychology: Understanding and managing
social problems” by Steg and colleagues (2008), theory has
three functions.
#12. The Three Functions of a Good Theory are to provide (1)
understanding of a phenomenon or problem, (2) solutions to
social problems and (3) evaluation methods to determine if the
solutions were successful.
#13. Steg et al. (2008) also provide a great list of commonly
used terms that are similar to the term theory. In the next slide,
I will share the following terms: Theory, Principles, and
Models.
You will read about various theories, principles and models in
applied social psychology.
#14. According to Steg and colleagues (2008), a Theory is an

5. organized set of principles and testable hypotheses that
describes, explains and predicts observed events. Some sample
social thinking theories are attribution theory, cognitive
dissonance theory, and theory of planned behavior. Some social
influence theories are obedience, compliance, and elaboration
likelihood model.
Some social relations theories are in-group/out-group biases,
prejudice, discrimination, contact theory, prosocial behavior.
Application of theories lead to interventions like changing our
social appraisals, promoting specific behaviors, or improving
social relations
(Steg et al., 2008).
Sometimes social psychologists don’t develop a full-blown
theory. That’s when you have principles and models.
#15. Principles describe a specific process and are integrated
into a theory. A Theory can be based on multiple key principles.
An Example is how the compatibility principle is integrated
within the Theory of Planned Behavior.
#16. Models are frameworks that integrate theories and
principles and describe multiple causal processes. An Example
is The Elaboration Likelihood Model.
In conclusion,
A Theory is an organized set of principles with testable
hypotheses that describes, explains and predicts social
behaviors. Social psychology theories provide Organization,
Direction and Guide for Interventions. Theories can be
evaluated in terms of their scope, range, testability, and
parsimony.
In applied social psychology there are social thinking, social

6. influence, and social relations theories, principles, or models
that lead to real interventions.
Applied social psychologists tend to focus more on the
inductive approach (problem-oriented).
Soc3332: Understanding Social Psychological Theory - Lecture
for Week 2
“In science, a theory is not just a guess. It’s a well-
substantiated, well-supported, well-documented explanation for
observations…The theory of gravity is based on principles of
physics, has been tested many times, and has been supported by
many observations.” (Baumeister & Bushman, 2017).
So according to your e-text, a theory is a “set of interrelated
hypotheses or propositions concerning a phenomenon or set of
phenomenon.” Consider the recent phenomenon of the #me too
movement. What theory might explain why some women
decided to whistle-blow against pervasive sexual harassment by
powerful men in various industries? What individual and
situational factors helped to spawn the #me too movement as
discussed in the 2017 Time Person of the Year article on the
Silence Breakers? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-
intersect/wp/2017/12/06/times-person-of-the-year-the-silence-
breakers-for-speaking-out-against-sexual-
harassment/?utm_term=.35d0a10de396
Now let’s review the highlight the key aspects of a good theory.
e-Text Chapter 1 Key Points to Remember (Gruman et al, 2017)
· To maintain a scientific mindset, we need to hold scientific
values (Chapter1), set scientific goals, and follow a scientific
process. The five steps are: observation, theory development
using induction (specific cases to general rules), deduction
(general theory leads to specific outcomes, predictions or
hypotheses), hypothesis-testing, and theoretical
interventions/application of knowledge.
· Social psychology theories provide 3 functions –

7. Organization, Direction/Hypothesis-Testing, and Guide for
Interventions.
· Evaluation Characteristics of Theories are: Scope, Range,
Testability, and Parsimony.
· Scope = how many behaviors does this theory attempt to
explain?
· Range =are the theoretical predictions universal or only for
select subgroup or special population?
· Testability = can the theory be refuted or disproved?
· Parsimony = can the theory be explained or described
simplistically or with very few terms?
· You will use these criteria to evaluate the theories presented
in each chapter moving forward.
· Cognitive Dissonance Theory is a mid-level theory by Leon
Festinger that claims humans are motivated to maintain
consistency among cognitions (thoughts, attitudes, knowledge,
or values). “The theory organizes what we know about human
inconsistency in such a way that we are lead to some non-
obvious conclusions about the relationship between attitudes
and behaviors.” Pay close attention to Figure 2.2 on p. 34.
· For example, if you watched and liked Kevin Spacey, Bill
Cosby, Matt Lauer, Roy Moore, or Charlie Rose, how would
you reconcile the news about how they treated women as
covered in the news or court transcripts? Cognitive Dissonance
Theory suggests that inconsistency in cognitions (e.g., “I like
him” vs. “He did some bad things, he is a predator”) would lead
a person to change one or more of those inconsistent beliefs to
maintain consistency. To resolve the dissonance, or
psychological distress over inconsistency, either you change
your viewpoint - create more negative attitudes about the person
based on the negative news revelations or maintain your belief
about the person as positive (e.g., Roy Moore case), defend
your original thought and discount the sexual allegations as just
a liberal smear campaign, misinformation, rumor, or false
accusation.
· Theory of Planned Behavior is a mid-level theory (includes

8. theory of reasoned action) by Ajzen suggests that attempts to do
a behavior is preceded by behavioral intentions, which are
predicted by subjective norms, perceptions of control, and
attitudes. This theory has clear organization, direction, and
intervention.
Another Perspective of Social Psychology Theory
In their textbook called “Applied Social Psychology:
Understanding and managing social problems”, Steg, Buunk,
and Rothengatter (2008) describe the three functions of social
psychological theory are to provide: (1) understanding of a
phenomenon or problem, (2) solutions to social problems and
(3) evaluation methods to determine if the solutions were
successful. Steg et al. (2008) also provide a great list of
commonly used terms that are similar to the term theory.
· Theory is an organized set of principles and testable
hypotheses that describes, explains and predicts observed
events. Some sample social thinking theories are attribution
theory, cognitive dissonance theory, and theory of planned
behavior. Some social influence theories are obedience,
compliance, and elaboration likelihood model. Some social
relations theories are ingroup/outgroup biases, prejudice,
discrimination, contact theory, prosocial behavior. Application
of theories lead to tools or interventions change social
appraisals, promote specific behaviors, or improve social
relations (Steg et al., 2008).
· Principles describe a specific process and are integrated into a
theory. Example: compatibility principle is integrated within the
Theory of Planned Behavior.
· Models are frameworks that integrate theories and principles
and describe multiple causal processes. Example: The
Elaboration Likelihood Model.
Deductive (theory-oriented) vs. Inductive (problem-oriented)
Approaches. While basic social psychologists tend to follow the
deductive approach (begin with a big theory and examining
possible small specific applications to various social behaviors),
Applied social psychologists tend to follow the inductive

9. approach (begin small with social problem or specifics and then
examine how multiple theories can be used to explain the social
phenomenon). Both basic and applied social psychologists find
ways of testing theories, use scientific methods, and address
science goals (Steg et al., 2008).
Conclusion
A Theory is an organized set of principles with testable
hypotheses that describes, explains and predicts social
behaviors. Social psychology theories provide Organization,
Direction and Guide for Interventions. Theories can be
evaluated in terms of their scope, range, testability, and
parsimony. In applied social psychology there are social
thinking, social influence, and social relations theories,
principles, or models that lead to real interventions. Both basic
and applied social psychologists find ways of testing theories,
use scientific methods, and address science goals. Applied
social psychologists focused more on the inductive approach
(problem-oriented).