Social Psychology Flashcards
Define attitudes
A positive or negative evaluative reaction toward a stimulus, such as a person, action, object, or concept e.g. can include behaviour such as healthy eating
How do situational factors influence behaviour and attitudes
Attitudes influence behaviour more strongly when situational factors that contradict our attitudes are weak
In the theory of planned behaviour, what directly contributes to behaviour
Intention
Perceived behaviour control
In the theory of planned behaviour what contributes to intention
Attitude towards the behaviour
Subjective norm
Perceived behavioural control
In the theory of planned behaviours what contributes to attitude towards the behaviour, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control
Beliefs about outcome
Evaluation of outcome
Beliefs about important others’ attitudes towards the behaviour
Internal and external control factors
What is cognitive dissonance
Conflict/unease created by two opposing opinions.
What are the ways in which dissonance can be resolved
Change behaviour
Acquire new information
Reduce the importance of cognition
What makes a message aimed at changing attitude more effective
Reaches recipient Is attention-grabbing Easily understood Relevant and important Easily remembered
What makes a persuasive messenger
Credible e.g. doctors
Trustworthy e.g. objective
Appealing e.g. well presented
What is framing
whether a message emphasises the benefits or losses of that behaviour
When may loss-framed messages be more effective
When we want people to take up behaviours aimed at detecting health problems or illness (e.g. HIV testing)
When may gain-framed messaged be more effective
When we want people to take up behaviours aimed at promoting prevention behaviours
Define stereotype
Generalisations made about a group of people or members of that group, such as race, ethnicity, or gender. Or more specific such as different medical specialisations (e.g. surgeons)
Define prejudice
To judge, often negatively, without having relevant facts, usually about a group or its individual members
Define discrimination
Behaviours that follow from negative evaluations or attitudes towards members of particular groups
Define social loafing
the tendency for people to expend less individual effort when working in a group than when working alone
When is social loafing more likely to occur
The person believes that individual performance is not being monitored
The task (goal) or the group has less value or meaning to the person
The person generally displays low motivation to strive for success
The person expects that other group members will display high effort
In which gender group does social loafing occur more in
All-male groups
When may social loafing disappear
Individual performance is monitored
Members highly value their group or the task goal
Groups are smaller
Members are of similar competence
What factors affect conformity
Group size (greater in bigger groups sizes)
Presence of a dissenter (reduces conformity)
Culture (greater in collectivistic cultures)
What is bystander apathy and what experiment was used to demonstrate it
The more people that are present, the less likely they are to help
Darley and Latane
Outline the 5-step bystander decision process
1) Notice the event
2) Decide if the event is really an emergency
Social comparison: look to see how others are responding
3) Assuming responsibility to intervene
Diffusion of Responsibility: believing that someone else will help
4) Self-efficacy in dealing with the situation
5) Decision to help (based on cost-benefit analysis e.g. danger)
How may one reduce restraints on helping
Reduce ambiguity and increase responsibility
Enhance concern for self image
How may one socialise altruism
Teaching moral inclusion
Modelling helping behaviour
Attributing helpful behaviour to altruistic motives
Education about barriers to helping
What factors influence obedience
Remoteness of the victim
Closeness and legitimacy of the authority figure
Diffusion of responsibility: obedience increases when someone else administers the shocks
Not personal characteristics
Define groupthink
The tendency of group members to suspend critical thinking because they are striving to seek agreement
Define group polarisation
The tendency of people to make decisions that are more extreme when they are in a group as opposed to a decision made alone or independently
When is groupthink more likely to occur
When the group: Is under high stress to reach a decision Is insulated from outside input Has a directive leader Has high cohesiveness
What are the types of leadership style
Autocratic or authoritarian style
Participative or democratic style
Laissez-faire or free rein style
What is authoritarian style leadership
Under the autocratic leadership style, all decision-making powers are centralized in the leader, as with dictator leaders.
They do not entertain any suggestions or initiatives from subordinates.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of authoritarian style leadership
Enables quick decision making
Clear hierarchy of responsibility
Can be demotivating
Can lead to errors
What is the democratic style leadership
Favours decision-making by the group as shown, such as leader gives instruction after consulting the group. They can win the co-operation of their group and can motivate them effectively and positively.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of democratic style leadership
Can win cooperation and motivate team
Can improve quality of decision making
Time consuming
Can lead to disagreements
What is the free-rein style leadership
A free-rein leader does not lead, but leaves the group entirely to itself as shown; such a leader allows maximum freedom to subordinates, i.e., they are given a free hand in deciding their own policies and methods.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a free-rein style leadership
Allows autonomous working
Allows expertise to be utilised
Can lead to lack of direction
Lack of ultimate responsibility holder
