Social Psychology Flashcards
Social psychology
The scientific study of how we think bout , influence , & relate to one another
Attribution theory
Tendency to give a casual explanation for someone behavior often by crediting either the situation or disposition
Fundamental attribution error
When explaining another behavior we tend to underestimate the impact of the situation & to overestimate the impact of person disposition
Attitude
A set of beliefs & feelings
Peripheral route persuasion
Occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues , such as a speakers attractiveness
Central route percussion
Occurs when interested people focus on the arguments & respond w favorable thoughts
Foot in the door phenomenally
The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later w a larger request
Role
A set of expectations about a social position
Cognitive dissonance theory
The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent
Normal social influence
Influence resulting from a person desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
Informational social influence
Influence resulting from one willingness to accept others opinions bout reality
Social facilitation
Improved performance on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others
Social loafing
People in groups exert less effort when working toward a common goal than working alone
Deindividuation
The loss of self awareness & self restraint occurring in the group situations that foster arousal & anonymity
Group polarization
The enhancement of a group prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group
Groupthink
The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives
Culture
The enduring behaviors ideas , attitudes , values , & traditions shared by a group of people & transmitted from one generation to the next
Norm
An understood rule for accepted & expected behavior
Norms prescribe “ proper “ behavior
Prejudice
An justifiable & usually negative attitude toward a group & its members
Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs , negative feelings , & a predisposition to discriminatory action
Stereotype
A generalized ( sometimes accurate but often over generalized ) belief about a group of people
Discrimination
Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group & its members
Just world phenomenon
The tendency for people to believe the world is just & that people therefore get what they deserve & deserve what they get
Ingroup
” us “ people w whom we share a common identity
Outgroup
“Them “ those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup
In group bias
The tendency to favor our own group
Scape goat theory
The theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame
Other race effect
The tendency to recall faces of one own race more accurately than faces of other races
Also called cross race effect or own race bias
Aggression
Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
Frustration aggression principle
The principle tht frustration - the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal - creates anger , which can generate aggression
Social script
Culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations
Mere exposure effect
The phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them
Passionate love
An aroused state of intense positive absorption in another , usually present at the at the beginning of a love relationship
Companionate love
The deep affectionate attachment we feel for those w whom our lives are intertwined
Equity
A condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it
Self disclosure
Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others
Altruism
Unselfish regard for the welfare of others
Bystander effect
The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present
Social exchange theory
The theory that our social behavior is an exchange process , the aim of which is to maximize benefits & minimize costs
Reciprocity norm
An expectation that people will help , not hurt , those who helped them
Social responsibility norm
An expectation that people will help those needing their help
Conflict
A perceived incompatibility actions , goals , or ideas
Social trap
A situation in which the conflicting parties , by each rationally pursuing their self interest rather than the good of the group , become caught In mutually destructive behavior
Mirror image perceptions
Mutual views often held by conflicting people , as when each side sees itself as ethical & peaceful & views the other side as evil & aggressive
Self fulfilling prophecy
A belief that leads to its own fulfillment
Superordinate goals
Shared goals that overuse differences among people & require their cooperation
GRIT
Graduated & reciprocated initiatives in tension - reduction - a strategy designed to decrease international tensions
Our behavior is affected by our
Inner attitudes & external social influences
Two social influence
Normative & informational
We tend to obey when
Authority
Supported by institutes
Depersonalization
No role models for defiance
What leads to conformity
Normative social influence
What leads to norms
Informational social influence
Social impairment
People tend to perform worse on difficult or new tasks in the presence of others
