13c - Social Psychology Flashcards
What is a group?
An organised, stable collection of individuals who share a common identity and in which the members are aware of and influence one another.
What are group dynamics?
How membership or participation in a group influences our thoughts and behaviours.
What are the group dynamic effects? (5)
- Social facillitation
- Social loafing
- Group polarization
- Groupthink
- Deindividuation
What is social facilitation?
Improvement in performance because others are present. Operated for both physical and mental tasks.
What is social loafing?
A tendency to exert less effort in a group task than one would if working alone. Increases with group size.
What is group polarisation?
Intensification of initial attitudes following discussions within groups.
What is groupthink?
Faulty (disastrous) group decision making as a result of everyone trying too hard to agree.
What is deindividuation?
Loss of self-identity or self-restraint in group (crowd) setting due to arousal of group couple with diffusion of personal responsibility.
What is altruism?
Self-sacrificing behaviour carries out for the benefit of others.
What factors can increase altruistic behaviour? (3)
- If you can identify with the person in need
- If you are in a close relationship
- If you are generally more trusting
What is bystander effect?
The tendency to refrain from helping someone in need due to the presence of others.
What is diffusion of responsibility?
The perception that we are less personally responsible when others are present.
To intervene, bystanders must…
- Notice the event
- Interpret the event as an emergency
- Feel personal responsibility to act
- Consider what form of assistance is needed and act accordingly
What is interpersonal attraction?
What makes us attracted to others
What are the three components to attraction?
- Cognitive (thinking
- Affective (feeling)
- Behavioural
What does it mean to like someone?
Fondness and affection for them
What is the ‘ultimate’ love according to Sternberg’s triangular theory of love?
Consummate love
What is social neuroscience?
The study of the brain systems involved in social thinking and behaving.
What areas of the brain are studied in social neuroscience? (3)
Pre-frontal cortex, insula, and amygdala.
What is the pre-frontal cortex’s role in social neuroscience?
Evaluating intentions of others, emotional state, facial expressions, moral reasoning and assessments, empathy.
What is the insula’s role in social neuroscience?
Active when we observe others in pain (empathy).
What is the amygdala’s role in social neuroscience?
Assess potential threats (identification of harmful stimuli).
