Social Thinking Flashcards
Define interpersonal attraction, and what are some of the factors contributing to it?
This is the phenomenon of individuals liking each other
Several factors affecting attraction include:
similarity
self-disclosure
reciprocity
proximity
Outward appearance also plays a role; the more symmetric someone’s face is, the more physically attractive we find him or her to be.
What qualities do people tend to be attracted to, and what are some reason why?
We tend to be attracted to people who are similar to us in attitudes, intelligence, education, height, age, religion, appearance and socioeconomic status.
- One reason for this may be convenience; it’s easier to spnd time together if you both want to go on a bike ride or if you both enjoy Thai food.
- People are also drawn to having their values and choices validated by another person
–opposites attract due to opposing qualities matching up; a nurturer with someone who likes to be nurtured
What is self-disclosure, and how does it relate to attraction?
Self-discosure is the sharing of one’s fears, thoughts and goals wiht another person and being met with non-judgmental empathy.
- Engaging in this behavior deepens attraction and friendship
– This must be a reciprocal behavior; revealing one’s innermost secrets creates a sense of vulnerability that, if not met by the other person, can be interpreted as being taken advantage of
Define reciprocal liking
The phenomenon whereby people like others better when they believe the other person likes them.
- Research has shown that even if we disagree with someone on important issues, we will have increased interest in them if we have indication that they like us
Define proximity and how it contributes to attraction
The act of being physically close to someone plays a factor in our attraction to them
- Studies have shown we are more likely to form friendships with people in the same dorm than with people who sit closest to us in class
– part of this is convenience; it’s easier to have conversations and make plans wihth people in the same area
– another explanation is the mere exposure effect or familiarity effect
Explain the mere exposure effect, or familiarity effect
States that people prefer stimuli that the have been exposed to more frequently
- ie) hearing a song for the first time and not liking it, only to like it the third time you hear it (like Havana oh na na)
– also used in marketing; the more often people hear the name of a product, the more likely they are to purchase it
Define Aggression
Aggression is defined as a behavior that intends to cause harm or increase social dominance
- it can take the form of physical actions as well as verbal or nonverbal communication
– most displays of aggression are settled by threat and withdrawal without actual bodily harm
What evolutionary benifits did aggression offer our ancestors?
Aggression offers protection against perceived and real threats
Aggression helped our ancestors fight off predators
It also helps organisms gain access to resources such as food, additional territory, or mates
In cases of limited resources, aggression could be the deciding factor that allows one to pass on genes
What is the amygdala, and what is its role in aggression?
The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for associating stimuli and their corresponding rewards or punishments
- in short, it tells us whether or not something is a threat
– if activated, this increases aggression
Higher-order brain structures, such as the prefrontal cortex, can place brakes on the revved-up amygdala, reducing emotional reactivity and impulsiveness
* Reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex has been linked to increased aggressive behavior
Explaion hormone effects on aggression
Higer levels of testosterone have been linked to more aggressive behaior in both males and females
- The higher levels of testosterone in men compared to women may explain the fact that men are generally more aggressive than women acorss cultures, and men commit a disproportionate majority of violent crimes
Define the cognitive neoassociation model, and how it relates to aggressions
Model stating that we are more likely to respond to others aggressively whenever we are feeling negative emotions, such as being tired, sick, frustrated or in pain
- also seen on a larger scale
ie) riots are more likely to happen on hot days than cool ones; drivers without air conditioning are more likely to honk at other drivers than those with AC, etc.
How does exposure to violent behavior contribute to aggression?
Research findings are mixed, but tend to show that viewing violent behavior indeed correlates to na icnrease in aggressive behavior
- the contribution of modeling to violence in children as also explored in Albert Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment
Define attachment, and what are the four main types of attachment styles?
Attachment is an emotional bond between a caregiver and a child
Development of attachment begins during infancy
Parental figures are most common, emotional bonds can occur with any caregiver who is sensitive and responsive during social interaction
The four main types of attachment styles are:
1) Secure
2) Avoidant
3) Ambivalent
4) Disorganized
Explain secure attachment
This is observed when a child has a consistent caregiver and is able to go out and explore, knowing the he or she has a secure base to return to.
- The child will be upset at the departure of the caregiver, and will be comforted by the return of the caregiver
– The child trusts that the caregiver will be there for comfort, and while the child can be comforted by a stranger, he or she will clearly prefer the caregiver.
Having a secure attachment pattern is thought to be a vital aspect of a child’s social development. Children with avoidant, ambivalent or disorganized attachment can have deficits in social skills
Explain avoidant attachment
Avoidant attachment results when the caregiver has little or no response to a distressed child.
Given the choice, these children will show no preference between a stranger and the caregiver. They show little or no distress when the caregiver leaves, and little or no relief when the caregiver returns
Explain ambivalent attachment
Ambivalent attachment occurs when a caregiver has an inconsistent response to a child’s distress, sometimes responding appropriately, sometimes neglectfully
- As such, the child is unable to form a secure base as he or she cannot consistently rely on the caregiver’s response
– The child will be very distress on separation from the caregiver, but has a mixed response when the caregiver returns, often displaying ambivalence
- this is sometimes referred to as anxious-ambivalent attachment because the child is always anxious about the reliability of the caregiver
Explain disorganized attachment
Children with disorganized attachment show no clear pattern of beavior in response to the caregiver’s absence or presence, but instead can show a mix of different behaviors
- These can include avoidance or resistance; seeming dazed, frozen, or confused; or repetitive behaviors like rocking
– Disorganized attachment is often associated with erratic behavior and social withdrawal by the caregiver (it may also be a red flag for abuse)
Define social support
In psychology, social support is the perception or reality that one is cared for by a social network
- It can be divided into many different catefories: emotional, esteem, material, informational, and network support
– While social support is present at all times, it is often most pronounced - and necessary - when someone suffers a personal or family tragedy
Explain emotional support
The listening, affirming and empathizing with someone’s feelings
- It’s the I’m sorry for your loss condolence card or a trip to the hospital to visit a sick relative
Explain esteem support
Similar to emotional support, but touches more directly on affirming the qualities and skills of a person
- Reminding someone of the skills they possess to tackle a problem can bolster their confidence
– ie) consider a friend who has missed a significant amount of school due to illness. Telling them that they should have no problem making up the work because they are intelligent and efficient would be providing esteem support
Explain material support, also called tangible support
Any type of financial or material contribution to another person. It can come in the form of making a meal for a friend after they have lost a loved one, or donating money to a person in need
Explain informational support
This refers to providing information that will help someone.
You will spend much of your career as a doctor providing information support to patients as syou explain their diagnoses, potential treatment options and risks and benefits of those treatment options
Explain network support
This is the type of support that gives a person a sense of belonging
- This can be shown physically, or can be accomplished through gestures, group activities and shared experiences
Explain some advantages of social support
Social support helps reduce psychological distress such as anxiety and depression
- People with low social support show higher levels of major mental disorders, alcohol and drug use and suicidal ideation
Social support also helps improve our physical health
- Studies have found that people with low social support have a higher mortality risk from many different diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer
– it also correlates to a better immunological health.
Define foraging, and identify some biological components that drive this behavior
Foraging is the behavior of seeking out and eating food
It is driven by biological, psychological and social influences
- Biologically, hunger is driven by a complex pathway involving both neurotransmitters and hormones
– The sensation of hunger is controlled by the hypothalamus
Genes also play a role in the onset of foraging behavior and the division of tasks between members of the same group
What is a mating system, and identify the three types
A mating system describes the organization of a group’s sexual behavior.
Mating systems seen among animals include monogamy, polygamy and promiscuity
- most animals have one dominant mating system: however, humans exhibit more flexibility
– in humans, mating behavior is highly influenced by both biological and social factors
What is monogamy?
Monagamy refers to an exclusive mating relationship
What is polygamy and polyandry?
polygamy involves a male having exlusive relationships with multiple females
polyandry involves a female having exclusive relationships with multiple males
What is promiscuity
Refers to a member of one sex mating with any member of the opposite sex, without exclusivity
What is mate choice, or intersexual selection, and name the five recognized mechanisms of mate choice
This is the selection of a mate based on attraction
1) Phenotypic benefits
2) Sensory bias
3) Fisherian or runaway selection
4) Indicator traits
5) Genetic compatibility
What is mate bias
Mate bias refers to how choosy members of the species are while choosing a mate.
This bias is an evolutionary mechanism aimed at increasing the fitness of the species
- It may provide direct benefits, or indirect benefits
What are some examples of both direct benefits and indirect benefits regarding mate bias
Direct benefits include providing material advantages, protection or emotional support
Indirect benefits include promoting better survival in offspring
What are the phenotypic benefits of mate choice
These are observable traits that make a potential mate more attractive to the opposite sex
- Usually these traits indicate increased production and survival of offspring
- ie) males that appear more nurturing are more likely to care for, and promote the survival of their offspring
Explain sensory bias
The development of a trait to match a preexisting preference that exists in the population
ie) fiddler crabs are naturally attracted to structures that break up the level horizon becase they may indicate a food source: male crabs take advantage of this fact by building pillars around their teritory to attract mates
Explain Fisherian, or runaway selection
This is a positive feedback mechanism in which a particular trait that has no effect on survival becomes more and more exaggerated over time
- In this model, a trait is deemed sexually desireable and thus is more likely to be passed on
– this increases the attractiveness of the trait, which in turn increases the likelihood that it continues to be passed on
ie) bright plumage of the peacock is a prototypical example
Explain the stereotype content model
This model attempts to classify stereotypes with respect to a hypothetical in-group using two dimensions: warmth and competence
The four possible combinations of warmth and competence are the paternalistic stereotype, contemptuous stereotype, admiration stereotype and envious stereotype
