Are Social Psychology Findings Just Common Sense in Disguise?

 Social psychology explores the fascinating world of how people think, influence, and relate to each other. But have you ever thought, “Isn’t that just common sense?” This blog post delves into this very question, exploring the pitfalls of hindsight bias and its impact on our perception of social psychology findings

The Challenge of Hindsight Bias:

The biggest hurdle comes in the form of hindsight bias. This phenomenon tricks us into believing that past event were always predictable, leading us to judge ourselves and others harshly based on outcomes we couldn’t have truly foreseen. In social psychology, this translates to looking at research results and thinking, “Of course ! That makes perfect sense!” But did it before you knew the answer? (Myers & Twenge 2021)

 The Experiment:

The author proposes a thought experiment: tell different groups contradictory social psychology findings (opposites attract vs. birds of a feather) and ask them to explain and rate the surprisingness of each. Chances are, they'll find a good explanation and deem it unsurprising, regardless of the finding presented. This showcases how easily we fit results into our existing narratives, making them seem obvious in hindsight.

The Danger of Arrogance and Misjudgment:

Hindsight bias can breed arrogance, making us overestimate our own foresight and fueling harsh judgments of others for seemingly "obvious" mistakes. Take the 9/11 attacks as an example. Looking back, missed clues seem blatant, leading to accusations of incompetence. But were they genuinely predictable in real-time amidst incomplete information and complex situations?

Moving Beyond Common Sense:

Social psychology goes beyond confirming existing beliefs. It uses rigorous methods to uncover hidden patterns, challenge assumptions, and explore counterintuitive phenomena. While some findings may resonate with our experiences, others push the boundaries of our understanding, revealing the complexities of human interaction.

So, the next time you encounter a social psychology finding, resist the urge to dismiss it as common sense. Consider the research behind it, acknowledge the limitations of hindsight, and appreciate the more profound understanding it offers about the intricate dance of human behavior.

References

Myers, D., & Twenge, J. (2021). Social Psychology (14th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781260888522