What does social psychology primarily study?

Social psychology primarily studies the influence of social contexts on thoughts and behaviors. This field focuses on understanding how individuals' feelings, thoughts, and actions are shaped by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of other people. It examines various aspects such as group dynamics, social perception, relationships, and societal norms, highlighting how the social environment impacts individual psychology.

In contrast, the other areas mentioned in the choices relate to different branches of psychology. Memory formation specifically falls under cognitive psychology, which examines processes involved in acquiring, storing, and retrieving information. Developmental stages refer to developmental psychology, which studies how people grow and change throughout their lives. Neurological processes are the focus of neuropsychology, dealing with how brain structures and functions relate to behaviors and cognitive processes. Thus, the emphasis on social contexts in influencing behavior is what distinctly characterizes social psychology.