Introducing Social Psych (1) Flashcards
define social psych
the study of how individual’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by other people`
other people effect how we
1.
2.
3.
- Interpret events
- Feel about ourselves
- Behave
give example and explain how others effect how we interpret events
The bystander effect
demonstrates how the presence of others can determine the way we interpret an event
give example and explain how others effect how we feel about ourselves
social comparions theory
we compare ourselves to our peer to decide how smart, pretty, etc we are
give example and explain how others effect how we behave
The presence vs absence of other can change how we act in a situation
Ex - deindividuation, where you lose your sense of self-awareness and identity in a crowd
leads to a decrease in inhibitions
explains mob mentality like fans in large crowds heckling an athlete at a sporting event
Social phenomena are not as _______ as they appear
they are sometimes _______
obvious
counterintuitive
why is this social phenomena counterintutive:
“Blowing off steam” - A way to purge anger and feel better also called _______
destructotherapy
not actually effective, rather feeds the flame
Venting activates the rewards areas of the brain but still is ineffective
why is this social phenomena counterintutive:
“Opposites attract”
Couples are more successful when they share common traits and beliefs
why is this social phenomena counterintutive:
“People’s attitudes are always highly predictive of their behaviour”
there are many circumstances in which a person’s attitude is actually a poorpredictor of their behaviour
why is this social phenomena counterintutive:
“Best way to get something off your mind is to suppress your thoughts”
Actively suppressing can make you think about the thought more
Best to allow yourself to think about it
eg. dont think of a purple elephant rn
why is this social phenomena counterintutive:
“The more options you have to choose from, the better”
Choice overload effect - As alternative choices increases, so does decision paralysis
Common themes in social psych:
We construct our social _____
give examples
We construct our social reality
friendly vs flirty behaviour is easily mistaken
Confirmation bias
Common themes in social psych:
Our social _______ are powerful, sometimes perilous
explain/example
Our social intuitions are powerful, sometimes perilous
Automatic vs controlled thinking
Ex - gut feelings are not always accurate
Common themes in social psych:
We have a strong motivation to feel ______ about _______
we tend to ______ our behaviour
explain/example
We have a strong motivation to feel good about ourselves
we tend to rationalise our behaviour
EX - someones who cheats may say “a lot of people cheat” or “it was just one time”
Common themes in social psych:
_______ can have powerful influences on people’s behaviour
failing to recognize this is know as what?
situations
the fundimental attribution error
Darley and Batson good semaritan experiment:
explain the setting/background
Had just read the good samaritan story from bible where one dude stopped and helped someone on the road to jerusalem
Were told they would be delivering sermon of other building
Came across a confederate lying on ground in need of help
Darley and Batson good semaritan experiment:
Indep and Dep variables?
Independent variable - time pressure
Some told they were late
Some told they had time
Dependent variable - whether or not they helped
