Final Exam pt 2

Question 1

What is the main purpose (definition) of social psyc?

Answer 1

How our thoughts, feelings, actions are influenced by others

Question 2

What is the attribution theory & fundamental attribution error?

Answer 2

Attribution theory: people seek causal explanations for behaviors (personal or situational)

Fundamental attribution error: to assume something about someone based on their actions without knowing their situation

Question 3

what is conformity?

Answer 3

• Solamon Asch
• Going along with the group.

Question 4

normative social influence VS. informational social influence

Answer 4

• Normative Social Influence - to be liked
• Informational Social Influence - others are better informed

Question 5

What did Asch’s research in conformity (suggestibility) involve and what did he show?

Answer 5

• He did the perception of line length
• people can be influenced by society just to fit in
  (ex. saying and answer and me knowing its wrong but i dont say anything to just fit in)

Question 6

Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments (know this very well): what they involved, what they showed, how far the subjects went, why Milgram conducted them

Answer 6

• “Everyday” people
• “Teachers” in what they thought was a memory study (when you get answers wrong you get shocked)
• 65% rendered shocks of 450 volts to “learners”
• Confirmed that anyone can cause pain and suffering to another person

Question 7

Define prejudice

Answer 7

-Prejudgments of Individuals
Beliefs, emotions, predispositions
-Can lead to discriminatory behaviors

Question 8

Define stereotype

Answer 8

-Overgeneralized beliefs based on no evidence

Question 9

Can stereotypes be positive (why / why not?)

Answer 9

yes both positive and negative
ex. Mexicans are hard workers/ Asians are bad drivers

Question 10

What is the bystander effect?

Answer 10

-People are less likely to help when
others are around

Question 11

What real life event influenced bystander effect research?

Answer 11

1964 - Kitty Genovese
Attacked over the course of a half hour
38 people failed to call for help

Question 12

Group identity - us versus them

Answer 12

• In group bias
• we identify and associate with a group
  (ex. basketball player & team, against other teams)

Question 13

Generativity and stagnation:

Answer 13

Generativity: satisfaction with one’s life

Stagnation: not satisfied with their life