Social Psychology Flashcards
Explain Fundamental Attribution Error
The Fundamental Attribution Error is the tendency to ATTRIBUTE / EXPLAIN a person’s behaviour with a person’s disposition rather than situational factors.
In other words, people have a cognitive bias to assume that a person’s actions depend on what “kind” of person that person is rather than on the social and environmental forces that influence the person.
What are the four factors of interpersonal attraction?
1) Familiarity
2) Similarity
3) Physical Attractiveness
4) Reciprocity
Elaborate more on the ‘Familiarity’ factor in interpersonal attraction.
- Physical Proximity (nearness)
- Frequency of contact - attracted to people we see often
Elaborate more on the ‘Similarity’ factor in interpersonal attraction.
- How you are alike to another person in background, age, interests, attitudes, beliefs, etc.
- Reinforcing to see our beliefs and attitudes shared by others.
Elaborate more on the ‘Physical Attractiveness’ factor in interpersonal attraction.
Halo Effect
- Tendency to generalize a favourable impression to unrelated personal characteritics
- We tend to assume that attractive people are likable, warm, intelligent, more healthy etc
Beauty affects mainly our initial interest in getting to know others more meaningful qualities gain in importance later
Elaborate more on the ‘Reciprocity’ factor in interpersonal attraction.
When people respond to each other in similar ways
Elaborate on what is Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love.
Intimacy (Liking)
refers to feelings of connectedness and affection
Passion (Infatuation)
refers to deep emotional and/or sexual feelings
Commitment (Empty love)
involves the determination to stay in a long-term relationship with another person.
Consummate love - intimacy + passion + commitment Romantic love - intimacy + passion Companionate love - intimacy + commitment Fatuous love - passion + commitment
