Main research aim

The Center of Social Psychology conducts research at the interface of social psychology, consumer psychology as well as cognition and decision sciences. Our research follows a social-cognitive and empirical-quantitative approach; we are interested in fundamental processes of social cognition and perception as well as applied questions, for example in consumer psychology.

To the details of our research.

What is Social Psychology?

Social psychology investigates the thinking, experience and behaviour of people in their social environment. Compared to other sciences, the focus is on the individual. 

Two assumptions are fundamental to research in social psychology: Firstly, social psychology assumes that human thinking, experience and behaviour are not directly influenced by the “objective situation” but by the subjective “construction” of said situation. Whether a glass is subjectively perceived as half full or half empty can lead to very different consequences - even though the “objective fill level” is exactly the same.

Secondly, social psychology emphasizes the “power of the situation”, meaning that human thought, experience and behavior are influenced by the (subjective) social situation to a substantial extent and not just by stable personality traits. 

The subject areas of social psychology include the topics of stereotypes, prejudice, group processes, love and attraction, the perception of oneself and others, attitudes and the change of attitudes, helping behaviour, aggression, life satisfaction and so on and so forth…

Are you curious? We would be delighted to welcome you as a participant in one of our research projects or one of our courses. 

Secretariat: lic. phil. Saskia Bollin
E-Mail: sp-at-unibas.ch
Phone: 061 207 07 74
Office: 02.015 (Mis64a)
Opening hours: Until further notice by appointment

Consultation hours with Prof. Dr. Rainer Greifeneder:
By appointment via sp@clutterunibas.ch