Ch 6 Social Psychology (Questions)

Question 1

Key points of Social Psychology (2)

Answer 1

• Social Influence: affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
• People know others are influenced by social information, but often think they are immune

Question 2

Group Formation

Answer 2

Evolution: typically have existed in smaller groups; ~150 people

In-groups and out-groups

Question 3

Why do we belong to groups?

Answer 3

Need-to-belong theory

Survival

Question 4

Types of Attributions

Answer 4

Internal and External

Question 5

Why do we conform?

Answer 5

Rely on social cues when in confusing or ambiguous circumstances

Fear, heavy social pressure, group size, culture

Question 6

Important Factors in the Asch framework (3,4)

Answer 6

• Showed how people often go along with a group, even if they know the group is wrong, just to fit in.

Group size: The bigger the group agreeing on the wrong answer, the more likely someone was to conform.

Unanimity: If everyone else gave the same wrong answer, people were more likely to go along with it.

Difference in opinion: If even one person disagreed with the group, it made others less likely to conform.

Question 7

Why does de-individuation lead to impulsive acts? (3)

Answer 7

1. Anonymity: groups reduce the likelihood of individual blame
2. Groups lower self-awareness  outward focus
3. Adhere to normative social influence

Question 8

What leads to groupthink? (3)

Answer 8

Highly cohesive groups

Group isolation

Directive leader

Question 9

Symptoms of Groupthink (7)

Answer 9

1. Illusion of groups invulnerability
2. Illusion of group’s unanimity
3. Unquestioned belief in group’s morality
4. Conformity pressure
5. Stereotyping out-group (making enemy)
6. Self-censorship
7. Mind-guards

Question 10

Mechanisms of Influence in Cults (4)

Answer 10

• Persuasive Leader
• Disconnect group members from the outside world
• Discourage questioning of the groups ideas, assumptions, and key members
• Indoctrination practices

Question 11

Misconceptions about Cults (2)

Answer 11

• Cult members are disturbed or have mental health issues
• Cult members are brainwashed

Question 12

Examples of obedience

Answer 12

Nazi Holocaust

Involved obedience to authoritarian leaders and group conformity

Milgram’s Behavioural Study of Obedience

• Participants told to give shocks to a “learner” for wrong answer
• Shocks ranging from 15 to 450 volts.
• Despite participant’s discomfort, many obeyed an authority figure and continued

Question 13

Milgram’s Results

Answer 13

• 26/40 obeyed until the maximum shock was given
• Results generalize across gender, ethnicity, age, personality (mostly) and education level

Question 14

Why don’t we help? (Bystander effect)

Answer 14

Pluralistic Ignorance and Diffusion of Responsibility

Question 15

Aggression Situational Influences (8)

Answer 15

Provocation

Social Exclusion

Frustration

Media Violence: video games, TV, movies

Aggressive cues: weapons

Alcohol and drugs

Discomfort: pain and temperature

Arousal

Question 16

Agression Individual Differences (3)

Answer 16

Personality traits: neuroticism and (less) agreeableness; irritability, trait anger, rumination

Cultural differences: collectivist cultures display lower rates of violent crime

Sex differences

Question 17

Sex and Aggression (2)

Answer 17

Men tend to be more physically aggressive than women

Women tend to be more relationally aggressive

Question 18

Do attitudes predict behaviour well? (3)

Answer 18

Not often.

Behaviours are complex

Stronger or more salient attitudes are better predictors