Social Psychology

Question 1

What is social psychology?

Answer 1

Social psychology is the study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence, actions, or mere imagined presence of others. It examines social influence, group dynamics, attitudes, prejudice, conformity, and interpersonal relationships.

Question 2

Who is Kurt Lewin?

Answer 2

Kurt Lewin was a German-American psychologist known for his work in social psychology, group dynamics, and the development of the field of organizational psychology. He is famous for concepts like “field theory” and the three-step process of change: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. His work had a significant impact on understanding human behavior and organizational change processes.

Question 3

How is social psychology used?

Answer 3

Social psychology is used to study group dynamics, obedience to authority, and their relevance to areas like organizational management. For instance, human resources professionals may use social psychology to evaluate how workgroup dynamics impact productivity and decision-making within an organization.

Question 4

Who else can use it?

Answer 4

marketting and sales professionals

Question 5

How do stereotypes help us process new information?

Answer 5

Stereotypes allow us to process new information by comparing it to our past experiences, helping us make decisions about appropriate behavior.

Question 6

What is the fundamental purpose of stereotypes on a basic level?

Answer 6

On a basic level, stereotypes help us quickly determine whether to initiate a flight, fight, or social response to any situation.

Question 7

What is the suggested advantage of stereotyping according to evolutionary psychologists?

Answer 7

Evolutionary psychologists suggest that stereotyping, like categorizing snakes as bad for survival, helps humans avoid potentially dangerous situations, such as snakebites.

Question 8

How does our social identity influence our interactions?

Answer 8

Our social identity, or group membership, largely determines our everyday interactions with others.

Question 9

How do people typically perceive their ingroup and outgroup?

Answer 9

People often perceive their ingroup (‘us’) as composed of different types of people, while the outgroup (‘them’) is seen as homogenous

Question 10

How do perceptions of ingroup and outgroup individuals differ in terms of social distinctions and similarities?

Answer 10

People in the ingroup pay attention to social differences, but people in the outgroup focus on commonalities and often use them to ignore differences.

Question 11

What can happen when negative stereotypes of outgroups become fixed?

Answer 11

When negative stereotypes of outgroups become fixed, exceptions are often overlooked, leading to distorted caricatures of those groups.

Question 12

What is the consequence of these overgeneralizations?

Answer 12

Overgeneralizations can lead to prejudice and discrimination.

Question 13

How can prejudices be used in a broader societal context?

Answer 13

Prejudices can be used to legitimize social, economic, and political discrimination.

Question 14

3 Ways prejudeces are formed

Answer 14

social learning, motivational theory, and Personality theory

Question 15

Does weight make you attractive? if so how?

Answer 15

yes, weight is an indication of wealth and fertility.

Question 16

we are likely to be attracted to

Answer 16

people who share similarities with us

Question 17

3 edges of the Triangle of Love

Answer 17

Intamicy, Passion, and Commitment

Question 18

Whats the ideal type of love according to the triangle of love

Answer 18

Consummate

Question 19

4 strategies of persuasion

Answer 19

1. Reciprocity norm.
2. Lowball technique.
3. Scarcity principle.
4. Coercive persuasion

Question 20

What is the reciprocity norm?

Answer 20

the social expectation that if someone does something for us or gives us a gift, we should reciprocate and return the favor.

Question 21

What is the lowball technique?

Answer 21

The lowball technique is a persuasion strategy in which someone initially offers a product or deal at a low cost, and then, after commitment, reveals additional hidden costs.

Question 22

What is the scarcity principle?

Answer 22

The scarcity principle is the idea that people tend to value and desire something more when it is perceived as rare, limited, or in high demand.

Question 23

What is coercive persuasion?

Answer 23

Coercive persuasion is a form of manipulation or influence that employs threats, intimidation, or other forceful tactics to get someone to adopt certain beliefs or behaviors.

Question 24

What is normative conformity?

Answer 24

behavior of changing our attitudes and behaviors to gain social approval or fit within established social norms.

Question 25

What is informational conformity?

Answer 25

Informational conformity is the behavior of looking to a group for knowledge and guidance about appropriate attitudes and behaviors, relying on the wisdom of the group.

Question 26

Which research tested social conformity?

Answer 26

solomon Asch using the “line experiment”

Question 27

How does culture influence conformity?

Answer 27

Conformity tends to be stronger in cultures that emphasize collective group identity

(e.g., Asia, Africa, Latin America) and less valued in cultures that prioritize individualism and diversity (e.g., North America, Western Europe).

Question 28

How does personal commitment affect conformity?

Answer 28

Personal commitment to a group increases an individual’s level of conformity with that group.

Question 29

What is altruism?

Answer 29

is the selfless concern or actions for the well-being and welfare of others, without expecting any personal gain or reward in return. It involves helping or benefiting others purely out of kindness and empathy.

Question 30

What is the social exchange theory?

Answer 30

suggests people make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis of social interactions. individuals weigh the potential rewards and costs to decide on whether they should engage in a social exchange, like helping someone, based on what they expect to gain or lose from it.

Question 31

What is the social responsibility norm?

Answer 31

a social expectation that individuals should help those in need, regardless of any personal gain or benefit, as part of their ethical and moral duty to society. It encourages acts of kindness and assistance to others as an obligation rather than a choice.

Question 32

Bystander effect

Answer 32

psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a person in need when others are present. The presence of a larger group can lead to diffusion of responsibility, causing each individual to assume someone else will take action.