MBHS Unit 4: Social Psych and Personality

attribution theory

the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition

dispositional attribution

attributing behavior to the person's disposition and traits

cognitive dissonance

unpleasant mental experience of tension resulting from two conflicting thoughts or beliefs

central route persuasion

occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts

peripheral route persuasion

occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker's attractiveness

reciprocity norm

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

social facilitation

stronger responses on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others

false consensus effect

the tendency to overestimate the extent to which others share our beliefs and behaviors

implicit bias

attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner

explicit bias

attitudes or beliefs that one endorses at a conscious level

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

humanistic theory of personality

theories of motivation which focus on human potential and the drive to be the best a person can be

reciprocal determinism

the interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment

regression (defense mechanism)

A person goes back to an earlier or less mature state or behavior

Repression (defense mechanism)

Banishes anxiety-arousing wishes and feelings from consciousness

conscientiousness

how dependable, responsible, achievement-oriented, and persistent one is

neuroticism (emotional stability)

calm or anxious, secure or insecure, self-satisfied or self-pitying

broaden and build theory of emotion

a positive psychology theory that suggests that positive emotions can help people build skills and resources over time