Compare the subjects that behavioral and social psychologists study. Behavioral psychologists focus on individuals. They believe that regardless of an individual's personal background, their behavior can be quantifiably measured, predicted and manipulated. To the behavioralist, socioeconomic status, race and gender are abstract concepts that have no discernable effect on behavioral experiments.
Social psychologists focus on groups, placing very little emphasis on individual behavior. For example, a social psychologist would be interested in understanding why young males of low socioeconomic status are more frequently involved in illegal activity than other cohorts. They would be less interested in measuring or manipulating the behavior of any specific individual within this test group.
Compare the types of psychological phenomena that behaviorists and social psychologists study. Behaviorists are very interested in understanding how certain stimuli, such as negative and positive reinforcement, can shape actions. John Watson was a psychologist who conducted a number of classic experiments in behavior. One involved a small boy named "Little Albert." When Albert's mother first brought him to Watson, he liked small furry animals such as rabbits. However, Watson presented Albert with a white bunny and then rang a loud gong that frightened the boy and made him cry. Eventually, the mere sight of the rabbit reduced Albert to tears. After a while, anything that was white made him upset. Sadly, Albert and his mother disappeared before Watson could undo the behavioral manipulation. Nobody knows what happend to Little Albert.
Social psychologists are much less interested in manipulating behavior, and instead focus on how group dynamics impact social behavior. In a classic (albeit horrifying) experiment, a social psychologist named Zimbardo recruited a number of emotionally normal college men to spend a number of weeks in a basement that he had converted into a prison setting. The men were randomly assigned to be either guards or prisoners. Zimbardo did not try to manipulate their behavior at all. However, the men who were guards developed a group standard that normalized the maltreatment and abuse of the prisoners. The abuse was so horrific that Zimbardo had to end the experiment early. He learned that when a group of normal individuals are put in the right situation, they can reinforce each other's negative behavior such that they can engage in extreme cruelty without remorse.
Examine the methodology that behaviorists and social psychologists use. Behaviorists take a very formulaic approach, using experiments almost exclusively. They are very traditional in their approach, establishing a clear independent variable that they manipulate in a laboratory setting. These manipulations influence the dependent behavior of the subject.
While social psychologists do use experiments, they may also employ psychological theory, case studies and surveys. In short, they are not as committed to empiricism as behaviorists.
Compare the practical applications of behaviorism and social psychology. A therapist who adheres to behavioral principles would treat his clients using principles of conditioning. For example, he might help a child who refuses to do her homework by setting up a reward system. Although this may sound simple, there are a great number of intricacies that can be employed to improve even the most problematic behavior.
A therapist who has a social psychology background might evaluate the social circles and environment that her client has encountered and treat them based on this. For example, she might encourage a child to do his homework by pairing him with good students and developing a study plan that is compatible with his sociocultural background.