Social Psychology

Question 1

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Answer 1

The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent.

Question 2

Bystander Effect

Answer 2

The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if any other bystanders are present.

Question 3

Group Polarization

Answer 3

The enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group.

Question 4

Attribution Theory

Answer 4

The theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition.

Question 5

Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 5

The tendency for observers, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition.

Question 6

Attitude

Answer 6

Feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events.

Question 7

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Answer 7

Occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker’s attractiveness.

Question 8

Central Route Persuasion

Answer 8

Occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts.

Question 9

Foot-In-The-Door Phenomenon

Answer 9

The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.

Question 10

Role

Answer 10

A set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.

Question 11

Conformity

Answer 11

Adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Question 12

Normative Social Influence

Answer 12

Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.

Question 13

Informational Social Influence

Answer 13

Influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality.

Question 14

Social Facilitation

Answer 14

Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.

Question 15

Groupthink

Answer 15

The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.

Question 16

Culture

Answer 16

The enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.

Question 17

Norm

Answer 17

An understood rule for accepted behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.

Question 18

Scapegoat Theory

Answer 18

The theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.

Question 19

Ingroup

Answer 19

“Us”-people with whom we share a common identity.

Question 20

Outgroup

Answer 20

“Them”-those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup.

Question 21

Ingroup Bias

Answer 21

The tendency to favor our own group.

Question 22

Prejudice

Answer 22

An unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action.

Question 23

Stereotype

Answer 23

A generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people.

Question 24

Discrimination

Answer 24

Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members.

Question 25

Other-race Effect

Answer 25

The tendency to recall faces of one's own race more accurately than faces of other races.

Question 26

Aggression

Answer 26

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

Question 27

Frustration-aggression Principle

Answer 27

The principle that frustration-the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal-creates anger, which can generate aggression.

Question 28

Social Script

Answer 28

Culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.

Question 29

Passionate love

Answer 29

An aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.

Question 30

Companionate love

Answer 30

The deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.

Question 31

Equity

Answer 31

A condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.

Question 32

Self-disclosure

Answer 32

Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.

Question 33

Altruism

Answer 33

Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

Question 34

Social Exchange Theory

Answer 34

The theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

Question 35

Reciprocity Norm

Answer 35

An expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.

Question 36

Social-responsibility Norm

Answer 36

An expectation that people will help those needing their help.

Question 37

Conflict

Answer 37

A perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.

Question 38

Social Trap

Answer 38

A situation in which the conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self-interests rather than the good of the group, become caught in mutually destructive behavior.

Question 39

Mirror-image Perceptions

Answer 39

Mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive.

Question 40

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Answer 40

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment.

Question 41

Superordinate Goals

Answer 41

Shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.

Question 42

GRIT

Answer 42

Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction-a strategy designed to decrease international tensions.

Question 43

Mere Exposure Effect

Answer 43

The phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them.

Question 44

Social Loafing

Answer 44

The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.

Question 45

Deindividuation

Answer 45

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in a group that foster arousal and anonymity.

Question 46

Just-world Phenomenon

Answer 46

The tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Question 47

Obedience

Answer 47

Listening to the commands of someone who is seen as important or influential.