Which of the following best describes the primary focus of social psychologists?

• A. They study the development of individuals across the lifespan, from infancy to old age.
• B. They study the biological bases of behavior, including brain structure and neurotransmitters.
• C. They study how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts and how these processes are influenced by the presence of others.
• D. They study the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the key term in the question, which is 'social psychologists.' Understanding this term is crucial to selecting the correct description.
2. Step 2: Recall that social psychology is a branch of psychology focused on how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option by comparing it to the core focus of social psychology. For example, studying development across the lifespan relates to developmental psychology, not social psychology.
4. Step 4: Recognize that studying biological bases of behavior pertains to biological or neuropsychology, and diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders relates to clinical psychology.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the option describing how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts, influenced by others, best matches the primary focus of social psychologists.