chapter 16 Flashcards
Social Psychology
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.
Attribution Theory
the theory that we explain someones behavior by crediting either the situation or the persons disposition.
Fundamental attribution error
the tendency for observers, when analyzing anthers behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition.
Attitude
feelings , often influenced by or beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to object, people, and events.
Foot in the door phenomenon
the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.
Cognitive dissonance theory
the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. for example when our awareness of our attitudes and of our actions clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes.
Conformity
adjusting ones behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
Normative social influence
influence resulting from a persons desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.
Informational social influence
influence resulting from ones willingness to accept others opinions about reality.
Norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. norms prescribed proper behavior.
Social facilitation
stronger responses on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others.
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
Deindividuation
the loss of self awareness and self restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity
group polarization
the enhancement of a groups prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group
Prejudice
an unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members. prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings and predisposition to discriminatory action.
group think
the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.
Stereotype
a generalized belief about a group of people.
ingroup
“us” people with whom we share a common identity.
outgroup
“them” those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup
ingroup bias
the tendency to favor our own group
Scapegoat theory
the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger providing some one to blame it on.
Just world phenomenon
the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.
agression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt of destroy
Frustration agression principle
the principle that frustration - the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal- creates anger which can generate aggression
Conflict
a perceived incompatibility of actions goals or ideas.
Social trap
a situation in which the conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior.
Social exchange theory
the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximized benefits and minimize costs.
Passionate love
an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another usually present at the beginning of a love relationship
companionate love
the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those whom our lives are intertwined
equity
a condition in which people recieive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.
self disclosure
revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.
Altruism
unselfish regard for the welfare of others .
Bystandard effect
the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present .
Superordinate goal
shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation
Grit
graduated and reciprocated initiatives in tension reduction a strategy designed to decrease international tensions
