In Chapter 2 of Social Psychology in Christian Perspective, Angela Sabates explores the tension between the empirical and Christian approaches to understanding human persons and social interaction. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

Empirical Approach:

• Views humans as autonomous individuals, primarily influenced by social experiences and environmental factors.
• Morality stems from social conditioning and internalization of norms.
• Social psychologists utilize empirical research methods to study human behavior and social phenomena.

Christian View of Persons:

• Humans are created in God’s image, possessing inherent dignity and moral responsibility.
• Individuals are intrinsically relational, created for social interaction and community.
• The Fall disrupts the original goodness and introduces sin, impacting both individual and social behavior.

Creation and Social Interaction:

• God’s intention for creation was communion and relationship, reflected in social interactions.
• Human social interactions should mirror justice, love, and mutual service.
• The Fall distorts these intentions, leading to selfishness, conflict, and broken relationships.

Balanced View of Humans:

• A balanced view integrates empirical findings with Christian theological insights.
• This provides a more complete understanding of human motives, behaviors, and social dynamics.
• It recognizes both individual agency and social influences in shaping human choices.

Dialogue about the Naturalistic Model:

• The naturalistic model raises questions about ultimate values and meaning in life.
• Christian perspectives offer transcendent purpose and grounding for morality.
• Both models can contribute to understanding human behavior, but with different starting points and assumptions.

Kitty Genovese Murder:

• The murder of Kitty Genovese, where bystanders allegedly witnessed the attack without intervening, sparked debate about bystander intervention and diffusion of responsibility.
• A solid Christian view emphasizes compassion, love for neighbor, and active response to injustice.
• This could have potentially motivated onlookers to intervene or seek help.

Research:

• Review scholarly articles exploring the Kitty Genovese case, self-fulfilling prophecies, and thought suppression to gain deeper insights into social psychology and Christian perspectives.
• Consider articles like Latané & Darley (1968) “Bystander Intervention in Emergencies: Diffusion of Responsibility,” and Baumeister et al. (2000) “Thinking, Fast and Slow.”

Further Discussion:

• Discuss how Christian values can inform social psychological research and interventions.
• Explore the relationship between individual responsibility and social context in influencing behavior.
• Consider how a balanced approach can contribute to building positive and just communities.

This summary provides a starting point for further dialogue and research. Remember, exploring the intersection of social psychology and a Christian perspective requires critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives.