THE METHODOLOGY OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: III. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY IN RELATION TO ECONOMICS, ETHICS, AND RELIGION.

This article discusses one of the methodologies of social psychology. In this method social psychology is studied in relation to economics, ethics and religion. The importance of biology for the psychology of social conflict, for example, the satisfaction of instincts and the reduction of fatigue, is generally recognized--although frequently in particular cases it is ignored. All that the social scientists need do in this connection therefore, is to urge that the contribution of biology to the full truth be not ignored in any case in which it is a factor. Geology, chemistry, and physics are important for the psychology of social conflict almost exclusively through economics; so it is not necessary for us to consider the former sciences directly in this paper. Astronomy is important, almost exclusively through the light, which it throws on methods of thought and the nature of essential experience. These matters they have already considered; so they need not consider such a science as astronomy directly in this paper. But the full truth about the relationship between economics and ethics and social psychology is not generally recognized, and the relationship is direct; so we must consider that relationship if we are to master the psychology of social conflict.