social psychology Flashcards
What is “Attitude”?
An evaluative reaction towards a person/stimulus/object or concept. May be positive or negative.
What is an “Attribution”?
A judgement about the reason for the behaviour of others or ourselves, and its outcome.
What is the “Bystander Effect”?
A person is less likely to help, when there are others around, due to social comparison, and also due to diffusion of responsibility.
What is “Catharsis”?
A Freudian belief that periodic expression of aggression is beneficial, as opposed to letting it build to explosive levels.
Define the “Central Route to Persuasion”.
Persuasion based on logic as opposed to emotion or attractiveness of speaker. People have different levels of need for cognition. This route to persuasion appeals to thinkers.
Define “Communicator Credibility”.
How believable/trustworthy we think speaker is. Increased credibility if seems expert, seems to have balanced argument, is attractive, we can relate to, seems to be motivated by more than just self-interest.
What is “Companionate Love”?
According to Sternberg, love with commitment and intimacy, but without passion.
What is “Deindividuation”?
A loss of individuality in a crowd which can lead to antisocial actions. More likely if feel anonymous, unaccountable for actions , and focus more on group actions than individual ones. Eg, in a crowd, may encourage someone to jump from a building instead of trying to dissuade and save them.
Define “Discrimination”.
Overt behaviour which treats people unfairly, based on their group.
What is the “Door In the Face Technique”?
Persuader makes a large request, expecting “door in face”, but follows up with lesser request. 2nd request is more likely to be granted, as opposed to if had led first with this.
What is the “Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis”?
by C. Daniel Batson.Prosocial behaviour due to altruism occurs due to ability to empathise. (Motivations for prosocial behaviour may be altruistic or egoistic-of benefit to self)
Explain “Equal-status Contact”?
An approach to reduce prejudice. Groups reduce their prejudice when they ;
- spend more time together
- have equal status
- work together on projects requiring collaboration
- supported by broader social norms
What is “Explicit Prejudice”?
Prejudice which is openly expressed publicly.
What is the “Foot in the Door Technique”?
Persuader gets you to comply with a small request, but later makes a larger request.
What is the “Fundamental Attribution Error”?
The impact of the situation is underestimated and the impact of the personal is overestimated, when explaining another’s behaviour. eg. Emphasise he is angry as opposed to he is very tired and stressed by work, etc.
Explain “Group Polarisation”.
When like-minded individuals discuss a view, the “average” view becomes more extreme. This is due to trying to gain group opinion, and, through having heard novel arguments supporting their existing view.
What is “Groupthink”?
The tendency of group members to abandon critical thinking due to striving for agreement. Increases risk of poor decision .
More likely when:
a)under high stress to reach decision
b) are insulated from external input
c) there is a leader promoting personal agenda
d) group has high degree of cohesion and ability to work well together.
Enhances:
a) incomplete look at alternatives
b) incomplete look at objections
c) failure too examine risks
d)poor research
