Lecture 9, p1: behaviour in a social context

Question 1

gets world record, record cannot be broken, person wants to break record

Social Facilitation: competitive scenarios

Answer 1

competitive scenarios against others, individuals often exhibit heightened performance compared to attempting to surpass their own personal best.

phenomenon is particularly noticeable in activities like racing and competitive sports.

The increased physiological arousal stems from the awareness of being observed, leading to a more pronounced expression of one’s typical response.
○ Professional athletes, despite the pressure of large audiences, often maintain exceptional performance levels.
■ The well-trained individual’s ability to thrive under public scrutiny is a testament to the influence of social facilitation.

Question 2

dont comment how bad people smell

● Social Barriers, Norms, and Roles

Answer 2

Social norms, implicit and unspoken, serve as societal guidelines shaping individual behavior.

■ Examples
● Refraining from asking about someone’s salary and adhering to hygiene-related norms.
■ These norms become more pronounced in the presence of others, influencing how individuals behave.
● Individuals often adopt social roles aligned with societal expectations, further reinforcing the influence of social norms.
○ Acknowledging and adhering to social norms is essential, especially in communal settings.

Question 3

● Social Facilitation: physiological arousal

Answer 3

There is a heightened physiological arousal observed when individuals are watched prompting a shift toward their dominant or typical response.
■ This phenomenon, known as social facilitation, shows the intricate interplay between external observation and individual performance.

Question 4

Complex Dynamics of Social Roles

Answer 4

● Social Roles
● Significance of Social Roles

Question 5

family roles. (daughter)

Social Roles

Answer 5

A multitude of positions and expectations within diverse social groups.

Individuals occupy various roles, spanning from familial connections to cultural and ethnic affiliations.
■ Examples
● Students hold roles in educational settings.
● Family roles include being a daughter or sibling.
● Ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds contribute to additional social roles.

Question 6

Significance of Social Roles

Answer 6

Social roles play a pivotal role in shaping individual behavior and societal expectations.

Deviations from expected behaviors within these roles can lead to disapproval and social consequences

■ Examples
● The Stanford Prison Experiment

Question 7

The Stanford Prison Experiment: Power Dynamics and Escalation

Answer 7

1. Purpose and Setup
2. Participants’ Perspectives
3. Perception and Motivation
4. Rebellion and Escalation

Question 8

Purpose and Setup

Answer 8

The Stanford Prison Experiment was a psychological study investigating the effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment.

Question 9

Participants’ Perspectives

Answer 9

● Guards observed prisoners in what initially felt like a relaxed summer camp atmosphere.
● Despite anticipating boredom, the narrator, an 18-year-old, later perceived the experiment as a statement on the cruelty inherent in prisons.
● The decision to adopt a confrontational and arrogant role was made to intentionally provoke reactions.

Question 10

Perception and Motivation

Answer 10

● The motivation was rooted in contributing to the demonstration of prisons as cruel and inhumane.
● The experiment aimed to vividly illustrate the harsh realities of prison life.

Question 11

Rebellion and Escalation

Answer 11

■ Initiation of Rebellion
■ Guards’ Response and Toughness
■ Prisoner 8612’s Role
■ Escalation and Experiment Shutdown

Question 12

Initiation of Rebellion

Answer 12

● In response to the oppressive environment, prisoners initiated a rebellion by barricading themselves using beds.
○ Prisoner 8612 emerged as a leader in the rebellion, introducing an unforeseen dynamic

Question 13

Guards’ Response and Toughness

Answer 13

● Guards felt compelled to establish authority following the rebellion.
● Profanity was exchanged between guards and prisoners, leading to an escalation of tensions.
○ Personalized profanity used by prisoners further heightened the conflict.
● The experiment was prematurely shut down within six days due to the intensifying conflicts.
● The need for guards to exhibit toughness emerged as a response to challenges to their authority.

Question 14

Prisoner 8612’s Role

Answer 14

● Prisoner 8612 played a pivotal role in the rebellion, influencing the course of events.
● Anishina’s study introduces an element of unpredictability.
○ Unanticipated actions occurred due to the lack of cleanliness and unclear instructions

Question 15

Escalation and Experiment Shutdown

Answer 15

● The escalating conflicts, rebellions, and intriguing events forced the premature shutdown of the experiment.
○ Despite the initial expectation of a mundane experience, the intensity of the simulated environment led to unforeseen dynamics and outcomes.