PSYC 1F90 Textbook: Lecture 2

Need to Affiliate

Humans have a need to associate with others for various reasons

Engage in Comparison

Comparing ourselves to others for self-evaluation.

Alleviate Fear or Anxiety

Seeking the company of others to reduce fear or anxiety.

Get Approval, Support, Friendship, and Love

Connecting with others to gain emotional support.

Interpersonal Attraction

The social attraction or likability of another person.

Factors Influencing Attraction

Familiarity and Proximity

The likelihood of being attracted to those we interact with frequently.

Similarity

Attraction to people who share similarities with us in various aspects of life.

Physical Attractiveness

People are generally more attracted to physically attractive individuals.

Reciprocity

Attraction develops when people have similar feelings toward each other.

Deepening Relationships

Fostering stronger, more meaningful connections by building trust, understanding, and empathy, going beyond surface-level interactions

Self-Disclosure

The process of sharing personal, private information with others to deepen relationships.

Social Exchange Theory

The "give and take" of social rewards and costs in relationships, where people weigh the benefits against the potential losses.

Triangular Theory of Love (Sternberg)

Love is comprised of three core components: intimacy (feelings of closeness), passion (drives leading to romance), and commitment (the decision to love and maintain that love)

Intimacy

Emotional closeness and connection.

Passion

Physical and sexual attraction.

Commitment

The decision to stay in a relationship long-term.

Romantic

Passion + Intimacy.

Companionate

Intimacy + Commitment.

Fatuous

Passion + Commitment (without intimacy).

Consummate

Passion + Intimacy + Commitment (most complete love).

Secure Attachment

Comfortable with intimacy and trusting others.

Avoidant Attachment

Distrustful of others and pulls away emotionally.

Ambivalent Attachment

Anxious about relationships and unsure about trust.

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how human behaviors evolved to solve challenges related to reproduction and survival.

Males

Prioritize casual sex, youth, physical attractiveness, and avoiding jealousy.

Females

Seek slightly older, industrious, high-status, and economically successful partners due to reproductive and nurturing concerns.

Prosocial Behavior

Any behavior that positively impacts others.

Evolutionary Forces

Helping others increases the chances of survival for the group.

Self-Oriented

Helping oneself, perhaps for personal gain or self-satisfaction.

Other-Oriented

Helping others out of genuine concern.

Empathy

The emotional response where one feels the distress of another person and acts to alleviate it.

Cognitive

Understanding the perspective of others.

Emotional

Feeling the emotional experience of others.

Physiological

Experiencing a physical reaction to others' emotions.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where people are less likely to offer help when others are present, often due to diffusion of responsibility.

Noticing

Whether or not we notice the problem.

Defining an Emergency

Whether we recognize the situation as requiring intervention.

Taking Responsibility

Whether we decide to act and take responsibility for helping.

Antisocial Behavior

Any behavior that harms or has a negative impact on others.

Aggression

Deliberate behavior intended to harm another person.

Direct Aggression

Verbal or physical attacks directed at the target.

Indirect Aggression

Harm caused to someone's reputation or social standing.

Biology

Genetic or hormonal factors contributing to aggressive behavior.

Frustration

Aggression triggered by frustration or blocked goals.

Social Learning

Learning aggression by observing others.

Prejudice

Negative or positive attitudes toward an entire group based on group membership.

Emotions

Negative or positive feelings toward a group.

Social Stereotypes

Oversimplified beliefs about a group.

Discrimination

Biased actions toward members of a particular group.

Explicit

Clearly expressed and open.

Implicit

Unconscious thoughts and biases.

Equal-Status Contact

Interaction between groups on equal terms.

Superordinate Goals

Goals that require cooperation from different groups.

Direct Instruction

Teaching values to reduce discrimination.

Factors Associated with Higher Prejudice

Groups have different or conflicting key values • others are seen as different • people see their identity in terms of belonging to particular groups, and • their groups discriminate against others

Frustration

Displaced aggression toward minority groups.

Social Learning

Prejudices learned through experiences.

Authoritarian Beliefs

Prejudiced people tend to be prejudiced against multiple groups.

Dehumanization

Viewing outgroup members as less human.

Openness to Others

The ability to recognize the value that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to problem-solving.

Suggestions for Developing Openness

Embrace curiosity, challenge assumptions, seek diverse experiences, and practice active listening and empathy encouraging both personal growth and a more inclusive environment

Individuating Information

Understanding a person as an individual, not just a member of a group.

Just-World Beliefs

Belief that people get what they deserve.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Acting in ways that make expectations come true.

Social Commonalities

Focusing on shared experiences instead of differences.

Set an Example

Modeling inclusive behavior.

Remember, Different Does Not Mean Inferior

Avoid unnecessary social conflicts and appreciate diversity.