Unit 8 Key Terms

Question 1

Social Psychology

Answer 1

This is all about the understanding of an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are influenced by social interactions

Question 2

Attribution Theory

Answer 2

A theory stating that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting the situation or someone’s disposition

Question 3

Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 3

the tendency, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the situation and overestimate personal disposition

Question 4

Attitude

Answer 4

A set of emotions or beliefs toward a specific thing such as an object, person, thing, or even an event. They come from an individual’s past experiences that make an individual react a type of way in certain situations.

Question 5

Role

Answer 5

A role is referred to an expected behavior and their responsibilities that are associated with a certain position or a status.

Question 6

Conformity

Answer 6

Conforming to social norms, but it doesn’t always mean in a positive way. (Ex: Your friends are drinking so you decide to drink too. Ex: You are watching a play so you are being quiet)

Question 7

Deviance

Answer 7

Going against social norms, but it doesn’t always mean in a negative way. (Ex: You are wearing casual attire at a wedding. Ex: You are speaking up about racial inequality)

Question 8

Deindividuation

Answer 8

Where one feels anonymous and has a little self-awareness and decreased self-awareness when participating in a group. In a setting where one feels it does not reflect on their character, but on the group’s. (Ex: protesting or cyberbullying).

Question 9

Group Polarization

Answer 9

When our feelings or beliefs about something grow stronger when we are around like-minded people. (Ex: Saying that you don’t like the dress code and when someone else agrees, you start going on a rant about it).

Question 10

Groupthink

Answer 10

Where individuals in a group will conform to the overall consensus of a group to keep the peace, rather than sharing their opinions. (Ex: Going to your rival’s game, but cheering for them to keep the peace and not get shunned by others).

Question 11

Prejudice

Answer 11

an unreasonable and usually pessimistic view of a group

Question 12

Stereotypes

Answer 12

a conclusion made about a group of people based on little to no evidence to back it up

Question 13

Ingroup (+ bias)

Answer 13

a group of people we identify or share common characteristics and views with (+ the tendency to favor our own group)

Question 14

Outgroup

Answer 14

a group of people we do not identify with. These are the people we perceive as sharing different views or characteristics from our identity

Question 15

Scapegoat Theory

Answer 15

a theory that states that people who hold biases use it as a method of displacing anger

Question 16

Foot-in-the-door phenomenon

Answer 16

This is when a person is asked to do a minor task, they are more likely to agree to a bigger task later on. (ex. Your friend asks you for answers on an assignment they didn’t complete. After you have given them the answers, your friend then continues to ask you for the answers to assignments on a regular basis)

Question 17

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Answer 17

This is a theory that states that we will have a sense of discomfort when we do an action that doesn’t align with our beliefs. This usually causes us to change our attitude/thoughts on the matter so the feeling of discomfort will go away. (ex. You talk about how texting and driving is a terrible thing and nobody should do it, but you do that occasionally though make up excuses.)

Question 18

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Answer 18

This is when a person lets another person change their attributes/options on topics based on emotions rather than logic. This would be like agreeing with someone because of their looks or popularity. (ex. You are arguing with a classmate about whether texting and driving is okay or not. You end up agreeing with them because you have a crush on them and you let your emotions cloud your judgement.)

Question 19

Central Route Persuasion

Answer 19

This is when a person changes their attributes/options on topics based on the argument of the other person. The other person has facts, research, and logic to back up your argument and all of this evidence convinces you to change your attributes about the topic. (ex. You and your friend are arguing over the meaning of a poem. Your friend has valid sources and research on why her answer is correct and after you look at all the information, you realize her answer makes more sense.)

Question 20

Norms

Answer 20

It is what is socially acceptable for a person to do or act. It’s like the unwritten rules or expectations people follow to “fit in.”

Question 21

Mere exposure effect

Answer 21

the tendency to feel positively about new stimuli after repeated exposure

Question 22

Altruism

Answer 22

selfless concern for others’ wellbeing

Question 23

Bystander effect

Answer 23

a phenomenon where a bystander is more likely to ignore or underestimate someone in need when in the presence of others

Question 24

Peer Pressure

Answer 24

a phenomenon where a person is compelled to change their behavior to gain acceptance from a group or individual

Question 25

Social Exchange Theory

Answer 25

a theory that states that our social behavior is influenced by the desire to reap benefits and reduce costs

Question 26

Mirror-image perceptions

Answer 26

a bias where two opposing parties both view themselves as right and the opposing side as wrong

Question 27

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Answer 27

a phenomenon where a person’s expectations or beliefs influence their actions in a way that unintentionally fulfills those expectations

Question 28

Social Loafing

Answer 28

The tendency of people in a group to put less effort into achieving common objectives than when holding themselves accountable for their own actions.

Question 29

Social Facilitation

Answer 29

In the presence of others, people improve their performance on simple or well-learned tasks and worsen their performance on difficult tasks.

Question 30

Chameleon Effect

Answer 30

Mimicking those around us and trying to blend into situations by demonstrating similar expressions, behaviors, and appearances of those around us

Question 31

Minor vs Major Deviance

Answer 31

Minor Deviance: small, unserious deviance (ex. wearing makeup at inappropriate times, being late for class)

Major Deviance: major, serious deviance (ex. committing a crime like murdering someone

Question 32

Positive vs Negative Deviance

Answer 32

Positive Deviance: Overconforming to social expectations (ex. Eating disorder, anxiety from perfectionism)

Negative Deviance: underconforming to social expectations (ex. Obesity, failing your classes)

Question 33

Internal vs External Social Control

Answer 33

Internal: lies within the individual and is developed during the socialization process (right vs wrong)

External: based on social sanctions (rewards and punishments) designed to encourage desired behavior

Question 34

Discrimination

Answer 34

Unjustifiable negative behavior towards a group or its members

Question 35

Just-World Phenomenon

Answer 35

A phenomenon where individuals automatically successful people to be good and those who suffer to be bad

Question 36

Reciprocity Norm

Answer 36

an expectation that those will help, not hurt, those who have helped them