Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms from Unit 4 on Social Psychology and Personality, providing definitions and explanations for effective review.

Social Psychology

The study of how other people, groups, and cultures shape our perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors.

Attribution Theory

The theory explaining why people behave as they do, including dispositional and situational attributions.

Dispositional Attributions

Attributions based on internal characteristics such as personality and intelligence.

Situational Attributions

Attributions based on environmental factors.

Optimistic Explanatory Style

A habitual tendency to explain negative events as caused by temporary, external factors that do not affect other aspects of life.

Pessimistic Explanatory Style

A tendency to explain bad events in a self-blaming way, attributing causes as global and stable.

Actor-Observer Bias

The tendency to attribute one's own behavior to situational factors while attributing others' behavior to personal factors.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to underestimate situational influences and overestimate dispositional influences when evaluating others' behaviors.

Locus of Control

The degree to which individuals believe that outcomes are contingent on their own behavior versus external factors.

Social Comparison Theory

The theory that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they compare to others.

Relative Deprivation

The perception that one is worse off compared to those with whom one compares oneself.

Mere Exposure Effect

The phenomenon where increased contact with a person leads to a greater likelihood of liking them.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The tendency to let preconceived expectations of others influence how we treat them, resulting in the expected behavior.

Upward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to others perceived as superior, which may lead to feelings of inferiority.

Downward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to others perceived as inferior, potentially boosting self-esteem.

Stereotypes

Cognitive schemas attributed to different groups, which do not necessarily have negative connotations.

Prejudice

An unjustified negative attitude toward an individual based solely on their membership in a different racial or ethnic group.

Discrimination

Behavior resulting from prejudiced attitudes that unjustly target members of a group.

Implicit Attitudes

Unconscious evaluations that can be favorable or unfavorable, formed involuntarily.

Just-World Phenomenon

The belief that people get what they deserve, often leading to victim-blaming.

Out-group Homogeneity Bias

The tendency to view members of another group as more similar than they actually are.

In-group Bias

Preferring members of one’s own group over those in other groups.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s culture is superior to others.

Confirmation Bias

Interpreting new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs.

Belief Perseverance

Maintaining a belief despite contradictory evidence.

Cognitive Dissonance

Mental discomfort arising from holding conflicting beliefs or actions.

Social Norms

Implicit or explicit rules governing acceptable behavior within a group.

Social Roles

Societal expectations of behavior based on a person’s status.

Halo Effect

A mental shortcut where one aspect of a person influences the overall perception.

Persuasion

Techniques used to convince others of particular ideas or beliefs.

Compliance Techniques

Strategies used to gain compliance from others, such as the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Conformity

A social influence that results in a change of attitude or behavior to match that of a group.

Obedience

Following orders from an authority figure.

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that prioritize group needs over individual needs.

Individualistic Cultures

Cultures that prioritize individual needs and autonomy.

Group Polarization

The tendency for group decisions to be more extreme than individual decisions.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help when in a group.

Altruism

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

A branch of psychology that focuses on behavior in the workplace.

Type A Personality

A personality characterized by high competitiveness, impatience, and a sense of urgency.

Type B Personality

A personality characterized by a more relaxed and calm approach to life.

Self-Report Inventories

Assessment tools where individuals answer questions to reveal their personality traits.

Projective Personality Tests

Tests presenting ambiguous stimuli to reveal unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Humanistic Psychology

An approach focusing on personal growth, self-actualization, and unconditional positive regard.

Trait Theories of Personality

Theories that posit personality consists of a set of enduring traits that influence behavior.

The Big 5 Personality Traits

The five broad dimensions include Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

Drive Reduction Theory

The theory that behavior is motivated by the need to reduce drives such as hunger.

Arousal Theory

The theory that optimal arousal improves performance.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in a behavior for its own sake, without external rewards.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in a behavior to obtain an external reward.

Social-Cognitive Theory

The theory that personality is shaped by the interaction of cognition, behavior, and environment.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one’s ability to accomplish tasks.

Self-Esteem

Confidence in one’s abilities and sense of self.

Emotion

A complex psychological process encompassing physiological and cognitive responses.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The theory that facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

Display Rules

Cultural norms dictating how emotions should be expressed.

Emotional Elicitor

Stimuli that trigger emotional responses.