Hdfs Midterm Flashcards
What are attributions, and why are they significant in social cognition?
Attributions are explanations we give for why people behave the way they do, based on their characteristics or the situation. They’re significant because they shape how we perceive others and influence our interactions with them.
Explain the actor/observer effects in attributions.
The actor/observer effects refer to the tendency for people to attribute their own behavior to external factors while attributing others’ behavior to internal factors. This leads to disagreement in understanding why people behave as they do.
What is symbolic interactionism, and how does it relate to social cognition?
Symbolic interactionism is a theory that suggests behaviors and objects are symbols that represent more than just their tangible qualities. It relates to social cognition by emphasizing the role of perception and interpretation in creating meaning out of social situations.
Why are first impressions important in social interactions?
First impressions are important because they allow us to quickly stereotype and categorize others, set the foundation for future expectations, and influence how we interpret future interactions.
Define self-serving bias and provide an example.
Self-serving bias is the tendency to attribute success to internal factors while attributing failure to external factors. For example, someone might attribute their good grade to their intelligence but blame their low grade on the difficulty of the test.
What is confirmation bias, and how does it relate to first impressions?
Confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. It relates to first impressions by influencing how we selectively perceive future interactions to confirm our initial impressions.
What are positive illusions, and how do they affect relationships?
Positive illusions are unrealistically positive beliefs about a partner or relationship. They can enhance relationship satisfaction by fostering optimism and resilience, but excessive idealization can lead to disappointment
Explain the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies in social interactions.
Self-fulfilling prophecies occur when false expectations lead individuals to behave in ways that ultimately confirm those expectations. For example, if someone expects their partner to be distant, they may act cold, causing their partner to reciprocate and fulfill the initial expectation.
Describe the concepts of self-enhancement and self-verification in social cognition.
Self-enhancement involves the desire to maintain and enhance a positive self-image, while self-verification involves seeking confirmation of one’s self-concept. Both concepts influence how individuals perceive themselves and others in social interactions.
What is impression management, and how does it vary in close relationships?
Impression management refers to the strategic efforts individuals make to influence the perceptions others form of them. In close relationships, people tend to engage in less impression management with their partners compared to strangers, but they may still selectively manage impressions to maintain a desired image.
What factors influence how well individuals know their partners?
Factors such as knowledge, motivation, partner legibility, perceiver ability, threatening perceptions, and perceiver influence can influence how well individuals know their partners.
Why is communication important in relationships?
Communication is essential because it facilitates the exchange of messages between individuals, allowing them to convey their thoughts, feelings, and needs. Effective communication promotes understanding, strengthens relationships, and resolves conflicts.
What are the components of communication?
The components of communication include verbal communication (spoken language) and nonverbal communication (all actions except spoken language), both of which play crucial roles in conveying messages and understanding intentions.
What are the types of nonverbal communication?
Nonverbal communication includes object communication, facial expressions, paralanguage/vocalics, kinesics (body language), oculesics (eye contact), haptics (touch), proxemics (personal space), and chronemics (time usage).
What is mimicry in nonverbal communication?
Mimicry refers to the unconscious imitation of a partner’s nonverbal behaviors, which typically occurs when individuals feel comfortable and positively disposed toward each other. People often enjoy interactions more when their nonverbal behaviors are reflected or imitated by their partners.
Explain the concept of self-disclosure in verbal communication.
Self-disclosure involves revealing personal information about oneself to another person. It can deepen intimacy and increase liking between individuals. However, self-disclosure should be appropriate to the level of intimacy in the relationship and should not overwhelm the other person.
What are some common problems in communication expression?
Common problems in communication expression include kitchen-sinking (dumping all accumulated complaints at once), drifting off-beam (losing focus and complaining about unrelated issues), and using criticism, defensiveness, contempt, or stonewalling (the “Four Horsemen”) in interactions.
Describe effective communication strategies.
Effective communication strategies include using behavioral descriptions, avoiding extreme language like “never” or “always,” using “I” statements to express feelings and needs, active listening techniques such as paraphrasing and perception checking, and reframing negative thoughts. It also involves avoiding negative affect reciprocity and taking timeouts when necessary.
What are the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” in communication?
The “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” are criticism (attacking the partner’s character), defensiveness (denying responsibility and deflecting blame), contempt (expressing hostility and disdain towards the partner), and stonewalling (shutting down and withdrawing from the conversation). These behaviors can significantly harm relationships if left unchecked.
How do men and women differ in communication styles?
Men and women may differ in communication styles influenced by cultural norms, expressivity, and instrumentality rather than gender or sex. For example, women tend to discuss feelings and personal matters more, while men may focus more on impersonal topics and seek humor over support or counsel.
