Final answer:
The Hawthorne effect refers to changes in behavior by individuals being observed, blurring the line between social psychology and common sense. Emphasized by the work of Freud and Jung on the subconscious, and further complicated by cognitive biases like the Bradley effect, it poses challenges in social studies research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon that makes people question how social psychology is different from common sense is called the Hawthorne effect. This occurs when individuals alter their behavior because they are aware that they are being watched or studied. Psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung emphasized the complexities of the human subconscious, contributing to the blurred lines between scientific understanding and what is considered 'common sense.' Social factors and cognitive biases, such as the Bradley effect where respondents may not express true feelings due to social desirability, and the influence of language on cognition and experience, further complicate the distinction between social psychology and common sense.
In terms of social studies and research, acknowledging and accounting for effects like the Hawthorne effect is important. The implication is that even when people are just observing human behavior, their mere presence can induce changes in that behavior, which needs to be considered when designing and interpreting studies. On top of these behavioral considerations, we must consider how group influences and individual cognitive processes, such as those related to social psychology, differ from the intuitive assumptions made in everyday life.