Social Psychology Flashcards
What is an attitude?
A learned idea a person makes about an object, person, group, event, or issue.
This judgement must be relatively consistent and lasting for it to be called an attitude.
What is classical conditioning? (Attitude formation)
Repeated association between two stimuli or events. Having more than one unusually good or bad experiences influences your attitude.
E.g. Having three bad subway sandwiches over a year leads to you disliking subway
What is operant conditioning? (Attitude formation)
Learning by repeating a behaviour which has a pleasant consequence.
- if you state an attitude someone agrees with you may be rewarded or complimented on your good judgement ~ attitude strengthened
- if you are punished after stating an attitude ~ attitude weakened
What is social learning? (Attitude formation)
We learn by modifying or adapting attitudes by observing others who we admire. We watch the ‘model’ and often follow their attitudes.
E.g. If a friend dislikes heavy metal music than you may learn to dislike it as well
What is repeated exposure? (Attitude formation)
Exposure to an person, object, group or event repeatedly can lead to attitude formation. Can be direct or indirect e.g. Seeing someone smoking indoors vs hearing about someone smoking indoors
Explain the three components in the tri-component model?
All components must be present for an attitude to exist
Affective component: emotional reactions or feelings an individual has towards an object, person, group, event or issue. Usually requires a judgement. Your stance on something.
Behavioural component: refers to how an attitude is expressed through our actions towards people, objects or institutions.
Cognitive component: beliefs we have about an object, person, event or issue. Reflects our knowledge and experience of the world. The reasons behind your stance (affective component)
What is cognitive dissonance?
‘Contradictory or clashing thoughts that cause discomfort’
People generally feeling uncomfortable when this happens so they try to make their thoughts and attitudes agree with their actions. When our behavioural component does not match up with our affective or cognitive component.
Describe LaPiere’s study.
- aim
- method
- results
- conclusions
- criticisms
- to investigate whether or not attitudes predict behaviour
- travelled for 2 years with a young Chinese couple, visiting over 250 motels, hotels, and restaurants.
- refused service only once. 6 months later he wrote to them asking if they would serve Chinese people. Only 50% replied; 92% would not
- stated behaviour was different from actual thoughts. Concluded that attitudes do not predict behaviour.
- LaPiere’s presence with the Chinese couple, good face to face customer service but response to letters may be different employees
What is a stereotype?
A collection of beliefs that we have about the people who belong to a certain group, regardless of individual differences among members of that group.
What does prejudice mean?
A negative emotional attitude held toward members of a specific social group. It is a ‘prejudgement’ we make about someone based on nothing more than the knowledge that they are part of a particular group.
What are the characteristics of prejudice?
The majority group believe that:
- they are superior to the minority group
- the minority group is different from them and they ‘don’t belong’
- they are more powerful and important than minority group
- they majority group is insecure and fearful that the minority group may become more powerful and important than itself
What is social influence? (Prejudice formation)
We can learn prejudice attitudes from our parents, friends and others.
What are In Groups vs Out Groups? (Prejudice formation)
We tend to categorise ourselves and others into groups, which in turn influences out attitudes towards the groups. The group you belong to is the in-group. The group you do not belong to or do not associate with is the out-group. We tend to view people in our in-groups positively and think they are more like us. We consider those belonging to the out-group to be less like us and more like each other. We view them negatively and are likely to discriminate against them
What is intergroup conflict? (Prejudice formation)
Prejudice can be formed through group conflict and competition between groups for limited resources. Occurs when members of different groups compete to achieve or control something that is wanted by the members of each group.
What is social identity? (Prejudice formation)
The portion of an individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group.
