Social Psychology Flashcards
What is an attitude?
A positive, negative or mixed reaction to a person, object or idea expressed at some level of intensity.
What are some factors that influence attitudes?
Strength of the association between an attitude object and a person’s evaluation of the object
A highly accessible (strong) attitude springs to mind quickly upon exposure to the attitude object and guides behavior
According to the Theory of Planned Behaviour, what factors influence behaviours?
Attitude toward the behaviour
What I think of performing the behaviour
Subjective norms
What important others think of the behaviour
Perceived behavioural control
How easy it is to perform the behaviour
What is persuasive communication?
Message or ad that promotes a particular view of a person, object, or idea
What factors can be considered in persuasion?
Message (arguments)
Source
Channel
Audience
What are the two routes to persuasion in the Elaboration Likelihood Model?
Central route and peripheral route.
What are the two factors that influence elaboration?
Motivation to think
Personal Relevance
Need for Cognition
Ability to think
Distraction
Fatigue
Knowledge
Describe the Central Route to persuasion
A person has the motivation and ability to think about a message. They are influenced by the strength and quality of the message. Results in stronger attitudes and long-lasting impact on behaviour.
Describe the Peripheral Route to persuasion
A person is unable or unwilling to think critically about the contents of a message. They are influenced by superficial cues (Attractiveness). Results in weaker attitudes with temporary impacts on behaviour.
What is Cognitive Dissonance Theory?
The desire for two thoughts or cognition to be consistent with one another. Pyschological tensions when two thoughts are inconsistence.
What are the three options that can influence Cognitive Dissonance?
Change their behavior
Justify behavior by changing one of the dissonant cognitions
Justify behavior by adding new cognitions
What is attribution? What are the two types of attribution?
How people explain the causes of behaviour. Person and Situational attribution (Internal/External).
What is Fundamental Attribution Error?
Tendency to overlook situational factors and instead make internal attributions for others’ behavior
Why do people ignore situation factors?
Identify the behaviour and making a personal attribution is fast and automatic.
Adjusting the attribution to account for situational factors requires thought and effort.
What is Social Categorisation?
Classification of people into groups on the basis of common attribute
