Lecture 9: behaviour in a social context Flashcards
Attribution
The judgment of the cause of behavior and outcomes, explaining why someone acted in a particular way.
people
Two Main Forms of Attribution
■ Personal Attribution
■ Situational Attribution
Situational Attribution
This form links behavior to external factors or the situation
○ Example
■ Kim attributed a boring class to external factors like traffic issues.
Personal Attribution
It involves attributing behavior to a person’s character or internal traits
○ Example
■ Kim thinks a class is boring because her classmate is lazy, attributing it to a personal characteristic
the rock song
Factors in Determining Attribution
○ Consistency
○ Distinctiveness
○ Consensus
if your friends jump off a bridge would you?
○ Consensus
Consider whether others in the same situation behave similarly
● Calculation
○ Consensus = High
■ Implies a situational attribution
Distinctiveness
Examines whether the behavior is unique to a specific situation or generalizable.
● Calculation
○ Distinctiveness = Low
■ Suggests a more generalized attribution.
Consistency
Refers to the frequency of a person’s behavior in a given situation.
● Calculation
○ Indicates a more reliable attribution
● Attribution Mistakes
○ Fundamental Attribution Error
nah i’d win
○ Fundamental Attribution Error
occurs when there is an underestimation of situational factors for others and an overestimation for oneself.
● Example
○ Kim attributed her own test failure to a difficult test (situational), while attributing others’ failures to personal traits.
i failed the test its teach. fault, i did good im too smart
Self-Serving Bias
People tend to attribute positive outcomes to personal factors and negative outcomes to situational factors.
■ Example
● Taking credit for a good test as personal competence but attributing a bad test to external factors.
ppl + others
What are the types of cultural Differences
- Individualistic Cultures
- Collectivist Cultures
mean girls
Collectivist Cultures
Emphasize situational factors and group dynamics
Individualistic Cultures
Focus on personal factors
Holistic Thinking
Some cultures view the world more holistically, considering the interconnectedness of factors.
dont think bout answer just say it: the yapper
Individual Differences fact
Quick decision-makers may be more prone to fundamental attribution errors
What are the factors of cognitive processes in Impression Formation
● Stereotypes and Confirmation Bias
Inherent Cognitive Shortcuts
■ Cognitive shortcuts are the brain’s way of conserving energy by quickly forming impressions.
● Quick, initial impressions significantly influence subsequent perceptions.
■ First impressions are formed rapidly, shaping our views of others
Changing First Impressions
■ This requires concerted effort and evidence contradicting initial beliefs.
● Altered perceptions occur when substantial evidence contradicts the initial impression.
■ A person can change the first impression by consistently displaying positive traits.
negative 1st impression
Primacy and Recency Effects
■ The primacy effect prioritizes initial information, while the recency effect emphasizes recent data.
● Initial information carries weight, but recent data can alter perceptions.
■ Despite a negative first impression, recent positive actions can change one’s view.
Stereotypes
■ These are generalized beliefs about a group or category.
● Media, pop culture, and isolated instances contribute to the formation and perpetuation of stereotypes.
■ Stereotypes about gender, ethnicity, or profession can impact how individuals are perceived.
Media Influence
■ Media, movies, and pop culture play a significant role in the formation and reinforcement of stereotypes.
● Be mindful of media influence when assessing stereotypes
Confirmation Bias
■ This favors information confirming existing beliefs, and perpetuating stereotypes.
● Despite contradictory evidence, individuals often focus on instances that confirm their preconceptions
Cognitive Bias Demonstration
■ Individuals actively seek characteristics confirming stereotypes while disregarding contradictory evidence.
● Consideration of diverse perspectives is crucial for unbiased judgments.
■ Noticing a single instance to confirm a stereotype while disregarding numerous contrary instances.
Stereotypes, Stereotype Threat, and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
- Stereotypes and Confirmation Bias
- Lazy Brain Phenomenon
- Stereotype Threat
- Categorization and Judgment
- Stereotype Maintenance
- Challenges of Suppressing Stereotypes
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
women are bad drivers
Stereotypes and Confirmation Bias
- Stereotypes are preconceived beliefs about a group of people based on their characteristics.
- People tend to favor information confirming existing stereotypes and dismiss contradicting data.
■ Example
● If a stereotype suggests women are bad drivers, individuals may ignore instances where women excel in driving.
Keeley being like “this is common sense bruv dw”
Lazy Brain Phenomenon
○ The inherent laziness of the brain leads to relying on stereotypes rather than making effortful judgments.
■ Confirmation bias contributes to the inclination to grasp instances that confirm stereotypes.
○ Individuals might stereotype based on a few instances without considering a broader perspective.
women bad at math therefore you will become bad
Stereotype Threat
○ Stereotype threat occurs when individuals conform to negative stereotypes after becoming aware of them.
○ Awareness of a negative stereotype can influence individuals to conform to it subconsciously.
■ Example
● Women perform slightly less well on a math test when their gender is highlighted due to the stereotype that women are bad at math.
P1: were u in med lab?
P2: nuh uh
P1: ur sus cuz u were following red
Categorization and Judgment
○ Initial categorization involves making snap judgments based on observable characteristics.
■ Deciding to understand an individual depends on their perceived importance in a given context.
○ If a person is significant, one may invest more time and energy in understanding them; otherwise, stereotypes may persist.
uncle richard
Stereotype Maintenance
○ Stereotypes can be maintained through various cognitive processes, such as the exact opposite action reinforcing the stereotype.
■ Actions contrary to a stereotype may not necessarily challenge it; they might inadvertently strengthen it.
○ Engaging in negative behaviors to defy a stereotype may, ironically, confirm it instead.
unintentional racism or sexism
Challenges of Suppressing Stereotypes
- ironic monitoring.
- lead to a rebound effect, increasing the prominence of the stereotype.
- telling urself not to think about a stereotype can make u think of it more
do bad cuz someone though u would do bad
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
○ Expectations about someone can lead to behaviors from original expectation.
○ Acting based on other ppls notions can influence others to fulfill those expectations
■ Example
● A teacher labeling a student as “bad” may result in the student behaving poorly, confirming the teacher’s initial perception.
do i care enough about this person to listen to their problems?
Complicated Flow Chart
● categorizing stereotypes involves a flow chart considering factors like willingness to understand and available time and energy.
● Individuals go through a mental process of deciding whether to invest effort in understanding others based on the situation.
sm1 perceives another person as awesome, treatment better = good time
Attitudes and Behavior
○ Attitude refers to the positive or negative evaluation
○ Attitudes have a reciprocal relationship with behavior, influencing each other.
■ Example
Cognitive Dissonance
○ conflict between attitudes and behavior.
○ Individuals strive for consistency in their attitudes and behavior to avoid discomfort.
■ Example
● A self-proclaimed Raptors fan who doesn’t engage with the team may experience cognitive dissonance.
button goes off, ppl stand, 1 person ???, conditioned to stand w/ button
● Self-Perception Theory
○ This suggests people infer their attitudes based on observed behavior.
○ Behavior can shape one’s understanding and beliefs about their own attitudes.
■ Example
● Someone acting as a Raptors fan may eventually accept the label based on their consistent behaviors.
peer pressure
Influence of Others on Attitudes and Behavior
○ Social dynamics, conformity, and external pressures can shape attitudes and behaviors.
○ Group influences may lead individuals to adopt attitudes inconsistent with their personal beliefs
ppl who are paid to support isreal
Situational Factors
○ Strong situational factors, like financial incentives, can override personal attitudes.
■ Example
● A person might express disdain for a sports team but support them if offered a significant financial incentive.
my gf is gonna break up with me + she actually did noooo = im unloveable
● Confirmation Bias and Murphy’s Law
○ Murphy’s Law is linked to confirmation bias, emphasizing negative expectations leading to negative outcomes.
■ Expecting negative interactions can create a self-fulfilling prophecy unless consciously countered.
● Overall Attitude and Positivity
○ Attitude is an overall positive or negative evaluation of something.
■ Attitudes need not be negative; positivity can lead to favorable outcomes.
○ Believing in people’s awesomeness can result in reciprocal positive behaviors, fostering a positive cycle.
● Consistency in behavior and attitudes mitigates cognitive dissonance.
● Positive attitudes can cultivate positive behaviors and interactions.
P1: ur pretty
P2: ????? nuh uh (insert psychological discomfort)
Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Perception Theory
○ occurs when one’s self-view is threatened, leading to psychological discomfort.
○ When faced with conflicting information about oneself, a person may experience cognitive dissonance.
politicians promo through news outlets. donald trump twitter
Persuasion Dynamics
○ Persuasion involves a communicator delivering a message through a channel to an audience.
○ Elements in persuasion include the communicator’s credibility, the content of the message, the communication channel, the target audience, and the context in which the message is delivered.
■ Example
● A lecturer delivering a compelling message to students in a classroom setting represents a persuasion dynamic .
Credibility in Persuasion
○ Credibility is influenced by expertise, trustworthiness, and the ability to deliver unbiased information.
○ Credentials and tangible examples of work contribute to the communicator’s credibility, fostering trust and engagement.
■ Example
● A professor with extensive experience and relevant credentials is more likely to be perceived as credible.
E: L+ ratio
A: Im in ur walls
Presenting Both Sides in Persuasion
○ Strategy
■ Effectiveness increases by presenting both sides of an argument and refuting the opposing view.
■ Acknowledging opposing arguments demonstrates a comprehensive understanding and engages the audience in constructive dialogue.
● Example
○ A debater presenting counter arguments to strengthen their own position.
○ Incremental Persuasion
goto Linas house cuz exam sucked
Fear in Persuasion
○ Strategy
■ Inducing mild fear followed by presenting a solution.
■ Controlled fear can capture attention and motivate action, especially when accompanied by a reassuring solution.
● Example
○ Advertising or political campaigns highlight potential issues and provide solutions to alleviate concerns
C: ill have 1 drink tnight
P: nuh uh, u’ll get blacked out
Peripheral Route vs. Central Route
○ The central route involves careful consideration; the peripheral route relies on non-substantive factors.
■ Central route persuasion requires thoughtful analysis, while the peripheral route relies on emotional appeals and other surface-level factors.
○ Engaging in a detailed discussion on a topic (central route) versus relying on emotional appeals and likability (peripheral route).
stage fright, impress ppl
Social Facilitation
○ The mere presence of others influences individual performance.
○ The mere presence of an audience can significantly impact an individual’s performance, leading to improvement or decline.
■ Example
● Running faster in a race when being watched by others
im chill like that
what are the 3 types of Persuasion Techniques
○ Physical Attraction, Likability, and Similarity
■ Physical attractiveness, likability, and similarity to the audience enhance persuasiveness.
■ Evolutionary factors play a role, as people are naturally inclined to pay attention to those who share similar traits.
● Example
○ A speaker who is relatable and likable is more likely to influence the audience.
Presenting Both Sides in Persuasion (convinving)
○ Strategy
■ Gradually introducing ideas differing from the audience’s current beliefs.
■ Incremental persuasion involves taking small steps toward changing the audience’s perspective, making the transition more acceptable.
● Example
○ Convincing someone to reconsider their stance on a topic through gradual, thoughtful discussion.
types of Social Facilitation and Its Impact on Behavior
● Social Facilitation
● Social Barriers, Norms, and Roles
perform good: yay
perform bad: boo
● Social Facilitation
○ The intricate phenomenon where the mere presence of others significantly influences an individual’s physiological and psychological arousal.
■ Enhancing or diminishing their performance based on their dominant response.
