Module 12 Flashcards
Social psychology
examines how people affect one another, and it looks at the power of the situation
Situationism
the view that our behavior and actions are determined by our immediate environment and surroundings
Dispositionism
our behavior is determined by internal factors
Fundamental attribution error
tendency to overemphasize internal factors as attributions for behavior and underestimate the power of the situation
Actor-observer bias
the phenomenon of attributing other people’s behavior to internal factors (fundamental attribution error) while attributing our own behavior to situational forces
Self-serving bias
tendency of an individual to take credit by making dispositional or internal attributions for positive outcomes but situational or external attributions for negative outcomes
Just-world hypothesis
the belief that people get the outcomes they deserve
Cognitive dissonance
psychological discomfort arising from holding two or more inconsistent attitudes, behaviors, or cognitions (thoughts, beliefs, or opinions)
Central route
logic driven and uses data and facts to convince people of an argument’s worthiness
Peripheral route
an indirect route that uses peripheral cues to associate positivity with the message
Confederate
a person who is aware of the experiment and works for the researcher
Asch effect
the influence of the group majority on an individual’s judgment
Normative social influence
people conform to the group norm to fit in, to feel good, and to be accepted by the group
Informational social influence
people conform because they believe the group is competent and has the correct information, particularly when the task or situation is ambiguous
Group polarization
the strengthening of an original group attitude after the discussion of views within a group
Social facilitation
occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone
Scapegoating
the act of blaming an out-group when the in-group experiences frustration or is blocked from obtaining a goal
Instrumental aggression
motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain; a contract killer who murders for hire is an example
Prosocial behavior
voluntary behavior with the intent to help other people
Altruism
people’s desire to help others even if the costs outweigh the benefits of helping
Triangular theory of love
Sternberg; model of love based on three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment; several types of love exist, depending on the presence or absence of each of these components
Consummate love
healthy relationship will have all three components of love—intimacy, passion, and commitment
Companionate love
characteristic of close friendships and family relationships; consists of intimacy and commitment but no passion
Romantic love
defined by having passion and intimacy, but no commitment
Social exchange theory
we act as naïve economists in keeping a tally of the ratio of costs and benefits of forming and maintaining a relationship with others
