unit 14 Flashcards
social psychology
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.
attribution theory
the theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition
fundamental attribution error
the tendency for observers, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
attitude
feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
peripheral route persuasion
occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker’s attractiveness.
central route persuasion
occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts
foot in the door phenomenon
the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request
role
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
cognitive dissonance theory
the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. For example, when we become aware that our attitudes and our actions clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes.
conformity
adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
normative social influence
influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.
informational social influence
influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality.
social facilitation
improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.
social loafing
the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.
deindividuation
the loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occur-ring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.
group polarization
the enhancement of a group’s 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.
norm
an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe “proper” behavior.
prejudice
an unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action.
stereotype
a generalized belief about a group of people
discrimination
1) in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus. (p. 270) (2) in social psychology, unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members.
just-world phenomenon
the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.
ingroup bias
ingroup: group you are part of
outgroup: group you are not in
we tend to be biased toward the ingroup
scapegoat 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’s own race more accurately than faces of other races. (Also called the cross-race effect and the own-race bias.)
aggression
physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
frustration-aggression principle
frustration can lead to anger which can generate aggression
social script
culturally modeled guide for how to act
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 an-other, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship
companionate love
the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with 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 and minimize costs.
reciprocity norm
an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them
social-responsibility norm
an expectation that people will help those needing their help.
conflict
a perceived incompatibility of 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 and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive.
self-fulfilling prophecy
a belief that leads to its own fulfillment.
superordinate goals
shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.
GRIT
passion & perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals
self serving bias
a readiness to perceive oneself favorably
Solomon asch
best remembered for his research on the psychology of conformity.
leon festinger
proposed the cognitive dissonance theory
stanley milgram
famous for his experiments on obedience to authority
Phillip zimbardo
famous for the stanford prison experiment
margaret floy washburn
best known for her experimental work in animal behavior and motor theory development
