Social psychology

Question 1

what is an attitude?

Answer 1

a positive or negative evaluative reaction toward a stimulus, such as a person, action, object or concept

Question 2

what is the influence of attitude? when does it influence our behaviour strongest?

Answer 2

Attitudes influence behaviour more strongly when situational factors that contradict our attitudes are weak i.e. things are how I think they should be

Question 3

what is conformity?

Answer 3

the adjustment of individual behaviours, attitudes and beliefs to a group standard

Question 4

what are the factors that predict conformity?

Answer 4

o Group size – conformity increases as group size increases (up to 5).
o Unanimity – presence of someone who disagrees with the group i.e. devil’s advocate
o Cohesion.
o Status.
o Public response.
o Lack of prior commitment.

Question 5

what is social loafing?

Answer 5

tendency for people to expend less effort when working in a group than when working alone

Question 6

in what situations is social loafing more likely to happen?

Answer 6

 The person believes the individual is not being monitored.
 The task/or group has less meaning to the person.
 The person generally displays low motivation.
 The person expects other group members will display high effort.

Question 7

what is the situation where a conflict is presented in oneself with two opposing opinions?

Answer 7

cognitive dissonance

Question 8

what two factors affect the degree of social loafing?

Answer 8

gender and culture

• in all male
• individualistic cultures

social loafing: tendency to expend less individual effort when in a group

Question 9

in which situations does social loafing decreas?

Answer 9

Individual members are monitored.

Members highly value their task or goal.

Question 10

what does the collective effort model suggest?

Answer 10

on a collective task, people will put forth only as much effort as they expect is needed to reach their goal

Question 11

how do people tackle cognitive dissonance?

Answer 11

• change behaviour
• acquire new information to support opinions
• reduce the importance of cognitions

Question 12

what is the groupthink phenomenon?

Answer 12

tendency of group members to stop critical thinking because they are striving to seek agreement

Question 13

when does groupthink occur mostly in a group?

Answer 13

 Is under stress to reach a decision (need to make a quick decision)
 Is insulated from outside input (no monitoring)
 Has a directive leader.
 Has high cohesiveness (everyone likes each other)

Question 14

what are the classic displays of groupthink? i.e. what are the signs of a group

• what are members like?
• what do they say, not say?

Answer 14

• Direct pressure applied to people who express doubt.
• Mind guards – people who prevent negative information reaching the group.
• Members display self-censorship and withhold doubts.
• An illusion of unanimity is created.

group think: tendency to compromise critical thinking in order to reach agreement as a group

Question 15

what is the group polarisation phenomenon?

Answer 15

tendency of people to make extreme decisions when in a group as opposed to being alone.

Question 16

what is the bystander effect?

Answer 16

presence of multiple bystanders inhibits each person’s tendency to help; often due to social comparison or diffusion of responsibility

Question 17

what is the 5 step decision process of a bystander?

Answer 17

1. Notice the event.
2. Decide if the event is an emergency.
   - Social comparison – look at how others are responding.
3. Assume responsibility to intervene.
   - Diffusion of responsibility – believing others will help.
4. Self-efficacy in dealing with the situation.
5. Decision to help – based on a cost-benefit analysis, e.g. danger.

Question 18

how can helping behaviour be increased? e.g overcoming bystander effect

Answer 18

• reducing restraints on helping

- socialise altruism

Question 19

how can restraints on helping be reduced?

Answer 19

 Reduce ambiguity and increase responsibility.

 Enhance guilt and concern for self-image.

Question 20

how can we socialise altruism? (overcome the bystander effect)

Answer 20

Teach moral inclusion.
Education about barriers to helping
Attributing helpful behaviour to altruistic motives.
Model helping behaviour.

overcoming bystander effect:
Reduce resistant on helping
increase responsibility, guilt and concern for self image

Question 21

what are the 3 distinct styles of leadership?

Answer 21

1. authoritarian
2. democratic
3. laissez-faire

Question 22

what is an autocratic leader?

Answer 22

All decision-making powers are centralised in the leader. They don’t entertain suggestions/initiatives.

Question 23

what is a democratic leader?

Answer 23

Decision-making by the group and the leader then gives instruction after consultation. They can win the co-operation of the group and motivate them.

Question 24

what is a laissez-faire leader?

Answer 24

Does not lead but leaves the group entirely to itself. Such a leader allows subordinates absolute freedom

Question 25

advantage and disadvantage of authoritarian leadership

Answer 25

Enables quick decision making
Clear hierarchy of responsibility

Can be demotivating
Can lead to errors

Question 26

advantage and disadvantage of democratic leader

Answer 26

Can win cooperation and motivate team
Can improve quality of decision making

Time consuming
Can lead to disagreements

Question 27

advantage and disadvantage of laissez-faire leader

Answer 27

Allows autonomous working
Allows expertise to be utilised

Can lead to lack of direction
Lack of ultimate responsibility holder

Question 28

what is framing?

Answer 28

refers to whether a message emphasises the benefits or losses of that behaviour

Question 29

when are loss-framed messages most effective?

Answer 29

When we want people to take up behaviours aimed at detecting health problems or illness, loss-framed messages are most effective.

o E.G. HIV testing or if you do not self-examine your breasts, you are more likely to die of breast cancer.

Question 30

when are gain-framed messages most effective?

Answer 30

 When we want people to take up behaviours aimed at promoting prevention behaviours, gain-framed messages are most effective.

o E.G. Condom use or the use of SPF15 sunscreen makes your skin healthier and prolongs life.

Question 31

what is the definition of stereotypes?

Answer 31

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)

Question 32

what is the definition of prejudice?

Answer 32

To judge, often negatively, without having relevant facts, usually about a group or its individual members

Question 33

what is the definition of discrimination?

Answer 33

Behaviours that follow from negative evaluations or attitudes towards members of particular groups