Social Psychology: Conformity, Compliance, Obedience, and Altruism

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts in social psychology related to conformity, compliance, obedience, aggression, altruism, and more.

Conformity

The act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to social norms.

Compliance

The tendency to agree to do things requested by others.

Obedience

Following orders or directives from an authority figure.

The Bystander Effect

A social psychological phenomenon where individuals do not offer help to a victim when other people are present.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others; providing help without expectation of reward.

Aggression

Any behavior intended to harm another person.

Social Norms

Expected standards of conduct that influence behavior in social situations.

The Halo Effect

The cognitive bias where the perception of one positive trait (like physical attractiveness) influences opinions of other traits (like intelligence or character).

Stereotypes

Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group of people.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of individuals based on group membership, often stemming from prejudice.

Prejudice

Negative feelings, opinions, or beliefs about an individual based on their group membership.

Passionate Love

An intense emotional attachment characterized by infatuation and desire.

Companionate Love

Deep emotional connection and commitment towards a partner, typically developing over time.

Milgram's Experiment

A study on obedience demonstrating that people will follow authority even to the point of harming others.

The Matching Principle

The principle that people are more likely to be romantically involved with others who are similar in physical attractiveness.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Cognitive Schemas

Mental structures that help individuals organize and interpret information about the world.

Agentic State

A psychological state wherein individuals see themselves as agents executing the wishes of an authority figure, absolving themselves of responsibility.

Turning Away

The act of mentally or physically withdrawing from a partner during discussions, leading to relationship issues.

Kitty Genovese Case

A case that sparked research into the bystander effect, where multiple witnesses failed to help a woman being attacked.

Introverted vs. Extroverted Behavior

Behavioral tendencies where introverted individuals prefer solitude while extroverted individuals thrive on social interaction.