Social Psychology

Question 1

How does Allport (1985) define social psychology?

Answer 1

The study of how the thoughts, feelings and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined or implie pressure of others

Question 2

What is Kurt Lewin’s theory?

Answer 2

Behaviour (B) is a function of personality (P) and the environment (E)

Question 3

Explain the Milgram Shock Experiment

Answer 3

• Participants told they are taking part to be role of teacher
• When a learner got a question wrong the teacher was to deliver a shock
• Participant was unaware the learner was a stooge
• Told to up the shock each time, and were happy to do this even though being told the learner had a heart problem

Question 4

What are social norms?

Answer 4

accepted group rules and standards that guide our behaviour without force of law- accepted way of thinking and feeling and behaving that group supports

Question 5

What are group norms?

Answer 5

the expectations and behaviours associated with a social group

Question 6

WHat is imitation?

Answer 6

Social learning theory bandwa and bobo doll- roll models and significance of others

Question 7

What is conformity?

Answer 7

Involves a change in behaviour or belief in order to fit in or be liked wthin a group and involves either real (physical group) or imagined (social norms) group pressure

• may be described as yielding to group pressure
• Group pressure may take the form of bullying, persuasion, teasing, critiscism but can also be supportive

Question 8

What are stereotypes?

Answer 8

our beliefs about what are the typical traits or characteristics of members of a specific group

Question 9

What is prejudice?

Answer 9

Occurs when someone holds a negative feeling about a group of people, representing the affective component of attitude

Question 10

What is discrimination?

Answer 10

When a person acts in a way that is negative against a group of people

Question 11

What is stigma?

Answer 11

Involves negative attitudes or discrimination against someone based on a distinguishing characteristic such as a mental illness, health condition or disability

Question 12

In the bystander effect what are the three processes that might prevent a bystander from helping a person in distress?

Answer 12

• Diffusion in responsibility
• Evaluation apprehension (fear of public judgement)
• Pleuralistic Ignorance- relying on reaction of others

Question 13

Explain diffusion of responsibility

Answer 13

• The moral obligation to help does not fall on only one person, but the hwole group that witnessed ot
• The blame for not helping can be shared instead of resting on one person
• The belief that another bystander will help

Question 14

Explain Evaluation Apprehension

Answer 14

• Fear of losing face infront of other bystanders
• Fear of being supersceded by a superior helper
• Offering unwanted assistance
• Or facing legal consequences

Question 15

Explain Pleuralistic Ignorance

Answer 15

-assuming everyone else knows what is happening and fear looking inadequate by clarifying the situation