AP Psychology Unit 14: Social Psychology Flashcards
Social Psychology
The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
Attribution Theory
The theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation (situational attribution) nor the person’s disposition (dispositional attribution). People are more likely to attribute their own behavior to the situation
Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency for observers, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition
Attitude
Feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
Peripheral Route Persuasion
Occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker’s attractiveness. It produces fast results, but does not engage systematic thinking
Central Route Persuasion
Occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts. It works for people who are naturally analytical and is usually more durable
Foot-in-the Door-Phenomenon
The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request. Using this tactic, it is possible to induce somebody to act against their beliefs
Role
A set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in that position ought to behave
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort 9dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. For example, when we become aware that our attitudes and our actions clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes
Norms
Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior
Chameleon Effect
Nonconscious mimicry of the postures, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other behaviors of one’s interaction partners
Mood Contagion
Our tendency to take on the mood of those who surround us
Mood Linkage
The human tendency to absorb and participate in the prevailing mood of the other people around
Positive Herding
When positive ratings/feelings generate more positive ratings/feelings
Conformity
Adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
Normative Social Influence
Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval. This is a large aspect of humans’ tendency to conform
Informational Social Influence
Influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality
Minority Influence
The power of one or two individuals to sway majorities. It is strengthened when those in the minority have conviction in their beliefs
Social Facilitation
Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others. This is due to increased arousal
Social Loafing
The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable. This is due to diminished feelings of responsibility
Reasons for Social Loafing
- People feel less accountable for their work
- People view their individual contributions as dispensible
- People overestimate their own contributions
- People slack off if they share equally in the benefits
Deindividuation
The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity. This is due to reduced self-awareness
Behavior in the Presence of Others: Three Phenomena
- Social facilitation
- Social loafing
- Deindividuation
Group Polarization
The enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group.
Groupthink
The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. It is fed by overconfidence, conformity, self-justification, and group polarization. It can be prevented when a leader welcomes debates/dissenting opinions and encourages people to find issues within a plan.
Culture
The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Prejudice
An unjustifiable (and usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action
Stereotype
A generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people
Discrimination
Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members