Final answer:
Historical events of the 20th century, especially post-World War I, influenced social psychology by fostering a skepticism of authority and interest in the irrational aspects of human behavior. Sociological and psychological research, embracing micro-analysis and symbolic interactionism, pursued the impact of social interactions and unconscious influences on behavior. Postmodern social theory and revived symbolic interactionism further shaped the field by questioning macro-level social explanations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historical events in the 20th century had a significant impact on the research interests in social psychology. Notable intellectual shifts occurred after World War I, which led to a growing skepticism of the notion of inevitable human progress and a willingness to question the authority of elites. This skepticism directed interest towards understanding the irrational aspects of the human condition and the psychology behind people's choices. Sociologists and psychologists like Freud and Jung introduced the idea that much of human behavior is influenced by the unconscious mind, challenging the previously solid notion of a rational world.
Dating back to the early 20th century, American sociologists turned to a more micro-level analysis of social interaction, integrating psychological perspectives and research. The presence of the uncertainty principle further influenced sociologists and anthropologists to consider how the process of gathering data could alter the very cultures they were studying. Additionally, the rise of contemporary intellectual history brought a focus to the ideas driving human choices and examined broader philosophical questions.
Concepts such as symbolic interactionism gained prominence in the 1920s and 1930s and were revitalized in the late 20th century, while postmodern social theory emerged in the 1980s challenging previous macro-level explanations. Social psychologists sought to understand how interpersonal and group relationships affect human behavior, drawing attention to the influence of social roles, norms, and scripts on behavior.