Abstract

Psychologists are drawn to social issues when the latter directly affect them or when they become reform-minded regarding existing social problems. The study of social issues by psychology has the positive effects of nugging psychologists to make contributions to their field by way of new concepts and/or approaches and of bringing psychologists` interest close to the real problems of the society. The study of social issues are distinct from action research or applied social psychology in approach, and it can emphasize either the description or the prescription aspect or both. The study of social issues can use any of the following: (1) analysis of social phenomena by use of established behavior principles, (2) experimental analysis of social issues, and (3) description of social issues.