Ch. 14 Vocab Flashcards
the theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition
attribution theory
feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
attitude
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
role
the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent
cognitive dissonance theory
adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
conformity
influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
normative social influence
improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others
social facilitation theory
the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable
social loafing
the loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity
deindividuation
the enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group
group polarization
the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives
group think
the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
culture
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior; prescribe “proper” behavior
norm
an unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members
prejudice
a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people
stereotype
unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members
discrimination
“Us”—people with whom we share a common identity
ingroup
“Them”—those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup
outgroup
the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame
scapegoat theory
any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
aggression
the tendency to favor our own group
ingroup bias
the principle that frustration—the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal—creates anger, which can generate aggression
frustration-aggression principle
culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
social script
the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them
mere exposure effect
revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others
self-disclosure
unselfish regard for the welfare of others
altruism
the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present
bystander effect
the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs
social exchange theory
an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them
reciprocity norm
a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas
conflict
mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive
mirror-image perceptions
a belief that leads to its own fulfillment
self-fulfilling prophecy
passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals
grit
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
social psychology
