4.3 - Psychology of Social Situations Flashcards
- Social Norms
or “normal” way to behave or think in a group), our behavior may follow the norm rather than following our own judgment.
- Social Influence Theory
describes how the presence, actions, or attitudes of others can affect our own behavior, thoughts, and feelings. It examines how individuals adjust their behavior to fit in with social norms, comply with requests, or accept beliefs that are different from their own
Milgram’s obedience experiment, where participants were more likely to obey an authority figure’s command, even if it meant causing harm to another person. (shock)
- Normative social influence
Going along with others in pursuit of social approval or belonging (and to avoid disapproval/rejection)
The Asch conformity studies; clothing choices.
- Informational social influence
Going along with others because their ideas and behavior make sense, the evidence in our social environment changes our minds.
Deciding which side of the road to drive on.
- Central Route Persuasion
Going directly through the rational mind, influencing attitudes with evidence and logic.
my product is proven to be better by 50%
- Peripheral Route Persuasion
Changing attitudes by going around the rational mind and appealing to fears, desires, associations.
my product makes you happy
- Halo effect
a bias in which we judge a person based on a characteristic, which then can influence our judgements of other characteristics of that person or related products.
- Foot-in-the-Door
the tendency to be more likely to agree to a large request after agreeing to a small one.
- Door-in-the-Face
The tendency to receive more by starting with a larger request
- Conformity
refers to adjusting our behavior or thinking to fit in with a group standard.
- Obedience
obey someone
- Individualism
cultures value independence. They promote personal ideals, strengths, and goals, pursued in competition with others, leading to individual achievement and finding a unique identity.
- Collectivism
cultures value interdependence. They promote group and societal goals and duties, and blending in with group identity, with achievement attributed to mutual support.
- Multiculturalism
promotes acceptance of diverse beliefs and values and inclusion of different cultural groups: language, religion, food, art, festivals, education, etc.
- Industrial Organizational Psychologists
study how people perform in the workplace. I/O psychologists study best practices in management of work, relationships among people working together or for a common company or program, and how people feel about work (burnout).
- Group Polarization
When people of similar views form a group together, discussion within the group makes their views more extreme.
Thus, different groups become MORE different, more polarized, in their views.
- Groupthink
In pursuit of social harmony (and avoidance of open disagreement), groups will make decisions without an open exchange of ideas.
Irony: Group “think” prevents thinking, prevents a realistic assessment of options.
- Social Loafing
Ever had a group project, with a group grade, and had someone in the group slack off?
If so, you have experienced Social Loafing: the tendency of people in a group to show less effort when not held individually accountable.
- Deindividuation
Loss of self-awareness and self-restraint.
Examples: Riots, rallies, concerts, identity-concealed online bullying.
Happens when people are in group situations involving: 1) Anonymity and 2) Arousal.
- Social Facilitation
Individual performance is intensified when you are observed by others.
Experts excel, people doing simple activities show more speed and endurance in front of an audience… but novices, trying complex skills, often do worse.
- False Consensus Effect
People often overestimate the levels to which others agree with them
- Superordinate Goals
Shared goals that help to reduce conflict and foster cooperation
Contact: exposure and interaction 🡪 familiarity 🡪 acceptance 🡪 connection
Cooperation: finding shared goals, not just focusing on the incompatible goals
Communication: sometimes with mediators
Conciliation: Gestures that reduce tension by showing intention to build alliances rather than winning conflicts. Smile. Apologize.
- Social Trap
Situations in which pursuing self-interest makes things worse for everyone: e.g. coming to school when sick or overfishing
- Altruism
Helping and protecting others without need for personal gain, doing it because it is the right thing to do, often despite personal risk or sacrifice.
