Social cybernetics

What distinguishes it from other specialisations in psychology?

The specialisation in social cybernetics differs from other psychology specialisations in several ways.

First, it focuses on studying human behaviour in the context of its social, cultural and historical environment. Research therefore takes place in a broader context than just laboratories or a therapist’s office. Unlike other specialisations in psychology, which focus more on the internal mechanisms of the human mind, social cybernetics concentrates on external factors influencing an individual’s behaviour.

Second, this specialisation focuses on psychological interventions intended to improve individuals’ quality of life in their natural environment. Researchers and practitioners combine knowledge from psychology, sociology and other scientific fields to develop interventions and programmes that take social, cultural and historical context into account.

Third, social cybernetics focuses on research conducted in natural settings, meaning that studies take place in the real conditions of individuals’ lives rather than only in controlled laboratory environments. This makes the research more realistic and gives it greater practical significance.

Overall, social cybernetics stands out from other psychology specialisations through its focus on individual behaviour in social, cultural and historical context, context-sensitive psychological interventions, and research conducted in natural settings.

Author: Inspector Maciej Węgrzyn