Which of the following topics is not an example of what a social psychologist might study?

• A. How stereotypes affect interpersonal interactions
• B. The influence of group pressure on individual decision-making
• C. The impact of social norms on behavior
• D. The effects of neurotransmitters on mood regulation

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the scope of social psychology, which focuses on how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
2. Step 2: Review each topic to determine if it involves social influences on behavior or mental processes. For example, stereotypes, group pressure, and social norms all relate to social influences.
3. Step 3: Identify that 'the effects of neurotransmitters on mood regulation' pertains to biological processes within the brain, which is typically studied in biological psychology or neuropsychology, not social psychology.
4. Step 4: Conclude that the topic not fitting within social psychology is the one related to neurotransmitters and mood regulation because it focuses on internal biological mechanisms rather than social influences.
5. Step 5: Summarize that social psychology studies external social factors affecting behavior, while neurotransmitter effects on mood are studied in other psychology subfields.