Social Psychology Careers
Social psychologists are interested in how the social world impacts the mental processes and behaviors of both individuals and groups. They are primarily interested in how and why people interact with one another, and the relationships that people form amongst themselves. They study subjects like attitude formation, emotions, conformity, identity, group processes and affiliation, interpersonal attraction, social interaction, and social roles.
Many social psychologists work in academic settings as teachers and professors in either sociology or psychology departments at colleges and universities. They also work at elementary and secondary schools. Given their understanding of people and their habits, motivations, and thought processes, they are often hired to work in marketing, advertising, systems design, and management. They also work for businesses, hospitals, political organizations, government entities, research companies, and consulting firms.
Developing a niche area is often a productive way to gain more specialized employment, and many social psychologists work specifically in areas like attitude, perception, leadership, or behavior.
Requirements: To teach at the K-12 or community college level, you need a master's degree. Teaching at the university level, however, requires a doctoral degree. In some cases, employers will hire a social psychologist with a master's, but in most cases, you must have a doctorate.
Job Outlook: The job outlook for social psychologists is similar to that of the field of psychology in general, which is expected to increase by approximately 11 percent in the next decade. A psychologist at the K-12 level earned an average of $65,710 in 2008, while those working in corporations tended to earn much more.
Skills: To be successful in any sort of career as a social psychologist, you need to have a deep-seated interest in the people around you. You should be curious, motivated, and patient. It is also helpful to have good research and communication skills, as these sorts of activities take up a large portion of a social psychologist's time.
Article Resources:
Hunter College, The City University of New York
University of Dayton
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics