Unit 14- Social Psychology

Question 1

Define Social Psychology

Answer 1

the branch of psychology that studies the effects of social variables and cognitions on individual behavior and social interactions.

Question 2

Define Social Context

Answer 2

the combination of (a) people, (b) the activities and interactions among people, (c ) the setting in which the behavior occurs, and (d) the expectations and social norms governing behavior in that setting. PASE

Question 3

We usually adapt our behavior to the demands of the _____, and in ambiguous situations we take our cues from the behavior of others in that setting.

Answer 3

Social Situation

Question 4

Define Situationism

Answer 4

the view that environmental conditions influence people’s behavior as much as or more than their personal dispositions do.

Question 5

Define Social Role

Answer 5

one of several socially defined patterns of behavior that are expected of persons in a given setting or group.

Question 6

Define Script

Answer 6

a cluster of knowledge about the sequences of events and actions expected to occur in a particular setting.

Question 7

Define Social Norms

Answer 7

a group’s expectations regarding what is appropriate and acceptable for its members’ attitudes and behaviors.

Question 8

Individuals experience social adjustments in two ways:

Answer 8

by first noticing the uniformities and regularities in certain behaviors, and then by observing the negative consequences when someone violates a social norm.

Question 9

What is the chameleon effect?

Answer 9

The tendency to mimic other people is called the chameleon effect.

Question 10

Define Asch Effect

Answer 10

a form of conformity in which a group majority influences individual judgements.

Question 11

Define Conformity

Answer 11

the tendency for people to adopt the behaviors, attitudes, and opinions of other members of a group.

Question 12

Asch identified three factors that influence whether a person will yield to group pressure:

Answer 12

(1) the size of the majority, (2) the presence of a partner who dissented from the majority, and (3) the size of the discrepancy between the correct answer and the majority’s position. MPD

Question 13

Define Diffusion of Responsibility

Answer 13

dilution or weakening of each group member’s obligation to act when responsibility is perceived to be shared with all group members.

Question 14

Define Social Reality

Answer 14

an individual’s subjective interpretation of other people and of relationships with them.

Question 15

The judgements we make about others depend not only on their behavior but also on our interpretation of their actions within a _____.

Answer 15

Social Context

Question 16

Define Reward Theory of Attraction

Answer 16

a social-learning view that says we like best those who give us maximum rewards at minimum cost.

Question 17

Social psychologists have found four especially powerful sources of reward that predict interpersonal attraction:

Answer 17

proximity, similarity, self-disclosure, and physical attractiveness. PSSP

Question 18

Define Principle of Proximity

Answer 18

the notion that people at work will make more friends among those who are nearby- with whom they have the most contact. Proximity means “nearness.”

Question 19

Define Similarity Principle

Answer 19

the notion that people are attracted to those who are most similar to themselves.

Question 20

Define Matching Hypothesis

Answer 20

the prediction that most people will find friends and mates that are perceived to be of about their same level of attractiveness.

Question 21

Define Expectancy-Value Theory

Answer 21

a theory in social psychology that people decide whether to pursue a relationship by weighing the potential value of the relationship against their expectation of success in establishing the relationship.

Question 22

Define Cognitive Dissonance

Answer 22

a highly motivating state in which people have conflicting cognitions, especially when their voluntary actions conflict with their attitudes.

Question 23

The two main ways of reducing dissonance are to:

Answer 23

change either one’s behavior or one’s cognitions.

Question 24

Define Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE):

Answer 24

the tendency to empathize internal causes and ignore external pressures. The FAE is more common in individualistic cultures than in collectivistic cultures.

Question 25

Define Self-Serving Bias

Answer 25

an attributional pattern in which one takes credit for success but denies responsibility for failure.

Question 26

Define Prejudice

Answer 26

a negative attitude toward an individual based solely on his or her membership in a particular group.

Question 27

Define Discrimination

Answer 27

a negative action taken against an individual as a result of his or her group membership.

Question 28

Define In-Group

Answer 28

the group with which an individual identifies.

Question 29

Define Social Distance

Answer 29

the perceived difference or similarity between oneself and another person.

Question 30

Define Out-Group

Answer 30

those outside the group with which an individual identifies.

Question 31

Define Scapegoating

Answer 31

blaming an innocent person or a group for one’s own troubles.

Question 32

Define Social Facilitation

Answer 32

an increase in an individual’s performance because of being in a group.

Question 33

Define Social Loafing

Answer 33

a decrease in performance because of being in a group.

Question 34

Define Deindividuation

Answer 34

occurs when group members lose their sense of personal identity and responsibility and the group “assumes” responsibility for their behavior.

Question 35

Define Group Polarization

Answer 35

when individuals in a group have similar, though not identical, views, their opinions become extreme.

Question 36

Define Groupthink

Answer 36

an excessive tendency to seek concurrence among group members.

Question 37

Define Romantic Love

Answer 37

a temporary and highly emotional condition based on infatuation and sexual desire.

Question 38

Define Triangular Theory of Love

Answer 38

a theory that describes various kinds of love in terms of three components: passion (erotic attraction), intimacy (sharing feelings and confidences), and commitment (dedication to putting this relationship first in one’s life). PIC

Question 39

The power of the situation can help us understand violence and terrorism, but a broader understanding requires multiple perspectives that go beyond the boundaries of traditional _____.

Answer 39

Psychology

Question 40

Define Violence and Aggression

Answer 40

terms that refer to behavior that is intended to cause harm.

Question 41

Define Cohesiveness

Answer 41

solidarity, loyalty, and a sense of group membership.

Question 42

Define Mutual Independence

Answer 42

a shared sense that individuals or groups need each other in order to achieve common goals.

Question 43

Define Terrorism

Answer 43

the use of violent, unpredictable acts by a small group against a larger group for political, economic, or religious goals.

Question 44

Define Foot in The Door

Answer 44

Foot-in-the-door technique is a compliance tactic that aims at getting a person to agree to a large request by having them agree to a modest request first. This technique works by creating a connection between the person asking for a request and the person that is being asked.

Question 45

Define Peripheral Route to Persuasion

Answer 45

The peripheral route to persuasion occurs when the listener decides whether to agree with the message based on other cues besides the strength of the arguments or ideas in the message.

Question 46

Define Reciprocity

Answer 46

Reciprocity is a social norm of responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind actions.

Question 47

Define Door in The Face

Answer 47

The door-in-the-face technique is a compliance method whereby the persuader attempts to convince the respondent to comply by making a large request that the respondent will most likely turn down.

Question 48

Define the Framing Effect

Answer 48

The framing effect is a cognitive bias where people decide on options based on whether the options are presented with positive or negative connotations.