Social psychology is a broad and influential field focusing on the interrelationships between individuals
and the social contexts in which they function. So, for example, the field has been defined as the “scientific
study of the behavior of individuals in their social and cultural settings” (Argyle, n.d.) and the
“study of social behavior, especially the reciprocal influence of the individual and the group with which
the individual interacts” (Social Psychology, n.d.). Due to its focus on the interrelationships between
individuals and their social contexts, social psychology is extremely well-suited to illuminate how social
change, including broad societal trends such as urbanization or population growth as well as the adoption
of specific government policies and practices, impacts individuals and the societies in which they live.
The field is also very well-positioned to increase our understanding of how individuals’ cognitive capacities,
motives, attitudes and behaviors influence those close to them and the broader society in which
they are embedded. Thus, in a period during which Bhutan is experiencing remarkably rapid social and
political change, social psychology holds the potential to help prevent or ameliorate a wide range of
social problems and to shed light on how opportunities can be pursued in a way designed to effectively
maximize their benefits and to avoid unintended negative side effects