social psuch

Attribution theory

Explains how people interpret causes of behavior, either by internal traits or external situations.

Dispositional attribution

Attributing behavior to a person’s personality, traits, or character.

Situational attribution

Attributing behavior to external factors like environment or circumstances.

Fundamental attribution error

Tendency to overestimate personality causes and underestimate situational causes in others’ behavior.

Self-serving bias

Taking credit for success and blaming external factors for failure.

Peripheral route to persuasion

Persuasion based on superficial cues (looks, emotions, attractiveness) rather than facts.

Central route to persuasion

Persuasion based on logic, evidence, and careful thinking.

Foot-in-the-door phenomenon

Agreeing to a small request increases the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request.

Door-in-the-face technique

Refusing a large request makes a smaller request seem more reasonable.

Cognitive dissonance

Discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors, leading to attitude change.

Role-playing effects

Acting out a role can shape attitudes and behavior to match that role.

Chameleon effect

Unconsciously mimicking others’ behavior to fit in socially.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or thinking to match a group.

Normative social influence

Conforming to be liked or accepted by others.

Informational social influence

Conforming because others are seen as a source of correct information.

Obedience

Following orders from an authority figure.

Conditions for highest obedience

Authority is close and legitimate, victim is distant, and others are obedient.

Social facilitation

Presence of others improves performance on simple tasks but worsens performance on difficult tasks.

Social loafing

People put in less effort when working in a group than alone.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness in groups, leading to impulsive or harmful behavior.

Group polarization

Group discussions strengthen members’ initial opinions.

Groupthink

Desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decision-making.

Norms

Rules or expectations for behavior within a group.

Bystander effect

People are less likely to help when others are present.

Diffusion of responsibility

Responsibility is shared among many people, reducing individual action.

Steps of bystander intervention

Notice event, interpret as emergency, assume responsibility, know how to help, decide to act.

Social exchange theory

Helping behavior is based on weighing costs and benefits.

Reciprocity norm

Expectation that people will return help, not harm others.

Mere exposure effect

Repeated exposure increases liking of something.

Superordinate goals

Shared goals that require cooperation and reduce conflict.

Ingroup

People you identify with.

Outgroup

People you see as different from your group.

Scapegoat theory

Blaming others for problems to release frustration.

Just-world phenomenon

Belief that people get what they deserve.

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a group of people.

Prejudice

Negative attitude toward a group.

Discrimination

Unjustified negative behavior toward a group.

Belief perseverance

Holding onto beliefs even after evidence proves them wrong.

Confirmation bias

Seeking information that supports existing beliefs.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Expectation that causes behavior making the expectation come true.

Self-disclosure

Revealing personal information to build relationships.

Social psychologist

Scientist who studies how people think about, influence, and relate to others.