Should Social Psychologists Try to Solve Social Problems?

[Keny]

ISSUE 2. Should Social Psychologists Try to Solve Social Problems?

YES: ARTHUR ARON AND ELAINE ARON, FROM “CHUTZPAH: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY TAKES ON THE BIG ISSUES,” THE HEART OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (LEXINGTON BOOKS, 1989)

NO: DAVID KIPNIS, FROM “ACCOUNTING FOR THE USE OF BEHAVIOR TECHNOLOGIES IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY,” AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY (VOL. 49, 1994)

Arthur and Elaine Aron believe that social psychologists are passionately devoted to promoting positive social change. David Kipnis argues that social psychological research benefits those with power and serves to perpetuate the status quo.