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
What are stereotypes?
Beliefs that associate a whole group of people with certain traits
What is Prejudice?
Negative feelings about others because of their connection to a social group
What is Discrimination?
Negative behaviours directed against persons because of their membership in a particular group
What is Social Identity theory?
People strive to enhance their self-esteem partly through their social identities
Ingroup: group we belong to
Outgroup: group we do not belong to
How can you resolve intergroup conflict?
Direct contact between hostile groups will reduce intergroup prejudice under certain conditions
Equal status between groups
Personal interaction
Cooperative activities
Social norms promoting intergroup contact
supported by authorities
What is Conformity?
The tendency to change our perceptions, opinions or behaviour in ways that are consistent with group norms
What are two ways conformity functions
Informational and Normative conformity.
What influences Conformity?
The unanimity of the group and observation of response.
What is Obedience?
Behaviour change produced by the commands of authority
