Social Psychology Flashcards
How can you define an attitude
An attitude is a positive, negative or mixed reaction to a person, object or idea expressed at some level of intensity
How can attitudes predict behaviour?
If the attitude is strong (aka easily accessible), it is more likely to influence behaviour
According to the Theory of Planned Behaviour what factors influence behaviour
attitude towards behaviour, subjective norms (what others think of behaviour) and perceived behavioural control (how easy is it to perform behaviour?)
What two routes are discussed in the Elaboration Likelihood Model
Central route (high ability and motivation)
Peripheral route (low ability or motivation)
What does the Cognitive Dissonance Theory discuss
How inconsistencies between values/thoughts and behaviour can create psychological tension/dissonance.
How does the Cognitive Dissonance Theory propose that people can overcome inconsistencies.
Change behaviour
Justify behaviour by adding new cognitions
Justify behaviour by changing one dissonant cognition
What are the two types of attribution
Personal attribution –> internal characteristic of person caused behaviour (skill, personality, mood, effort)
Situational attribution –> external factor caused behaviour (task, other people, lucky)
What is fundamental attribution error
tendency to overlook situational factors and make internal attributions for a persons behaviour
What are the three main steps in the attribution process according to Gilbert and Malone
Identify behaviour
Make attribution (automatic)
Adjust attribution to account for situational factors (effortful)
What is the effect of stereotypes on perception?
Behaviours can be seen in different light depending on the stereotypes surrounding a group they are in
E.g behaviour may be seen as less threatening when performed by white person.
What are the main concepts of the Social Identity Theory
People strive to enhance self-esteem through social identities
People favour in group members
What did the study by Sherif et.al. discuss in relation to conflict?
How realistic conflict occurs.
Hostility between groups is caused by direct competition for limited resources. There is a perceived threat of the other group.
Robbers Cave study
What does Allport’s contact hypothesis propose for group conflict?
Direct contact between hostile groups will reduce intergroup prejudice under certain conditions
What occurred in Asch’s conformity study?
One participant, many confederates
Line length test
37% of participants conformed
What occurred in Milgram’s obedience study?
Participants played role of teacher, actors played student
Participants asked to electrocute the “student” whenever they got an answer wrong.
Slowly went up in voltage
Told to keep going by an “authority figure” everytime they showed reluctance
65% of participants went all the way to the “fatal shock” of 450 volts
