Chapter 8 - Social Processes, Attitudes, Behavior Flashcards
Social action
Actions and behaviours that individuals are conscious of and performing because others are around
Difference between social action and social interaction
Action: considers just the individual surrounded by others
Interaction: two or more individuals
Social facilitation
People tend to perform better on simple tasks when in presence of others
De-individuation
When individuals are in group settings:
- behavior can be dramatically different
- large groups provide anonymity
- can lead to antinormative behaviour
Bystander effect
Individuals don’t intervene to help victims when others are present
Social loafing
Tendency for individuals to put in less effor when in a group setting
Identity shift effect
An explanation behind peer pressure:
- when an individual changes to adopt standards of the group
Cognitive dissonance
Simultaneous presence of two opposing thoughts or opinions
*internal state of discomfort
Group polarization
Groups can make decisions that are more extreme than the individual ideas and inclinations of the members within the group
*leads to riskier or more cautious decisions
Group think
Desire for harmony or conformity results in a group of people coming to an incorrect or poor decision
Primary vs secondary socialization
Primary: during childhood, mainly parents
Secondary: learning from smaller sections within society
Anticipatory socialization
Preparing for future changes in occupation, living situation, relationships…
Differential association theory
Deviance can be learned through interactions with others
**he’s fallen into the wrong group of people
Strain theory
Explains deviance as a natural reaction to the disconnect between social goals and social structure
EX: American dream (desirable goal_)
Structure of society doesn’t guarantee good education, Job..etc.
- deviant behavior (like theft) happens
Social cognitive theory
People learn how to behave and shape attitudes by observing the behaviours of others
