Forming Impressions

Question 1

Observed behaviour

Answer 1

we quickly and automatically form impressions based on observed behaviour; may or may not accurately represent the circumstance

Question 2

Correspondent inference theory

Answer 2

you actively analyze a person’s behaviour to make inferences based on three variables; degree of choice, expectation, intended consequences

Question 3

Degree of choice

Answer 3

despite the logic of degree of choice, it may be difficult to appreciate its role in a chosen behaviour

Question 4

Expectation

Answer 4

if a person behaves in a way typical to what you expect, less information is available to infer an underlying cause

Question 5

Intended consequences

Answer 5

motivation behind behaviours may have a hidden goal

Question 6

Covariation theory

Answer 6

how a person’s behaviour can be attributed to either personal disposition or situational circumstances through the analysis of three variables; consistency, distinctiveness, consensus

Question 7

Consistency

Answer 7

does the individual usually behave this way in this situation

Question 8

Distinctiveness

Answer 8

does the individual behave differently in different situations

Question 9

Consensus

Answer 9

do others behave similarly in this situation

Question 10

Functional attribution error

Answer 10

tendency to over-value dispositional factors for the observed behaviours of others while under-valuing situational factors

Question 11

Actor/observer effect

Answer 11

positive events = 
actors = dispositional
observers = situational;
negative events = 
actors = situational
observers = dispositional

Question 12

Cultural differences

Answer 12

fundamental attribution error is diminished in collectivist societies; however, children in individualistic societies attribute behaviour equally

Question 13

Self-serving bias

Answer 13

tendency to perceive yourself favourably

Question 14

Above-average effect

Answer 14

identify dispositional causes for your successes but situational causes for your failures

Question 15

False consensus effect

Answer 15

the belief that your thoughts are similar to others;

this effect helps to protect our self-esteem -

Question 16

Heuristics

Answer 16

general approaches to problems that usually work out;

although we can sometimes make mistakes, heuristics are generally useful approaches to social reasoning

Question 17

Proximity

Answer 17

more likely to be attracted to those you live or work closely with;
lies not only in physical distance, but also functional distance

Question 18

Familiarity

Answer 18

more positive towards familiar than unfamiliar stimuli

Question 19

Physical attractiveness

Answer 19

used as an indicator of personal characteristics; what is beautiful is good

Question 20

Others opinions

Answer 20

we like those who like us back, especially when we have low self esteem;
previous impressions of likeability influence novel impressions of likeability

Question 21

Illusory correlation

Answer 21

occurs when individuals believe that two variables are related even though there is no evidence for that relationship;
relevant to the formation of stereotypes

Question 22

Implicit association test

Answer 22

speeded categorization task where participants categorize stimuli into four categories using two response keys;
if the participant view two categories requiring the same response as related, the performance will be more accurate

Question 23

Reducing inherent prejudices

Answer 23

be mindful and attempt to uncover implicit biases to keep them in check;
change implicit associations

Question 24

Stereotype threat

Answer 24

no gender difference has been found = similar results;

test usually produces a gender difference = men performed much higher than women

Question 25

Stereotypes

Answer 25

beliefs about attributes that are thought to be characteristic of members of particular groups

Question 26

Prejudice

Answer 26

a negative attitude or affective response toward a certain group and its individual members

Question 27

Discrimination

Answer 27

negative behaviour towards members of a particular group based on their membership in that group

Question 28

In group vs. out group

Answer 28

in-group = positive attitudes, heterogeneity;
out-group = negative attitudes, homogeneity

Question 29

William’s syndrome

Answer 29

amygdala less reactive to social fear associated with reduced racial but not gender bias