AP Psych 4.3

Psychology of Social Situations

Social Norms

Unwritten rules of social behavior

Social Influence Theory

Normative and informative social influence

Normative Social Influence

Internalize the group norms so no one feels compelled to behave, think, and feel in ways that are consistent with the group; rejecting the group norms often results in ridicule and ostracism; society rewards those who conform

Informative Social Influence

The process of change in thinking or behavior as a result of persuasion of information

Methods of Persuasion

Techniques to convince other of ideas, actions, or beliefs

Central Route to Persuasion

Forming or changing attitudes based on a thoughtful evaluation of their merits

Peripheral Route to Persuasion

Forming or changing attitudes based on cues outside of the merits and without careful scrutinizing of the relevant information (Halo Effect)

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Attitude change occurs on a continuum from little scrutiny/elaboration to extensive scrutiny/elaboration; scrutiny/elaboration determine’s peoples’ attutude strength

Elaboration

The process of thinking about the merits of relevant information

Foot-in-the-Door-Phenomenon

People are more likely to comply with a large request if someone first asks them to comply with a smaller one

Door-in-the-Face-Phenomenon

People are more likely to comply with a reasonable request if they deny someone an extreme request

Conformity

Changing opinions, judgements, and behavior to become consistent with the others in a group or situation

Asch Situation

Measured the degrees to which participant conform to the group norms; conformity was strengthened by unanimity, two or more confederates, and admiration for the group

Obedience

Complying with a direct command by a person in a position of authority

Behavioral Study of Obedience (Milgram Experiment)

Assigned participants to deliver electric shocks to examinees for incorrect answers; 63% delivered the max voltage on command

Individualism

Emphasis on the individual and their role in culture

Collectivism

Emphasis on being a member of a larger social group instead of independent

Multiculturalism

Different ethnic and cultural groups have equal social status but maintain their own identity

Social Loafing

The tendency to put forth less effort when working with a group compared to working alone

Deindividuation

A loss of self-awareness and self-restraint that results from anonymity or blending in with a group

Group Polarization

The tendency for people’s beliefs to become stronger as they discuss them in a group of like-minded indivudals

Group Think

The tendency of groups to maintain harmony and thus, individuals do not present dissenting views; it can lead to poor decision making

Diffusion of Responsibility

Feeling less accountable for duties when in the presence of others

Social Facilitation

The improvement on a task in the presence of others; works best when tasks are well-rehearsed or easy

False Consensus Effect

The tendency of people to overestimate the extent to which others agree with them

Superordinate Goals

Members of two or more groups work together and pool their skills to accomplish a goal they cannot achieve alone

Social Traps

Once established, a course of action between individuals, groups, or governments is challenging to stop even though it could lead to leathal consequences

Industrial Organizational Psychologists

Study how people perform in the workplace; management, work relationships, burnout, personnel selection, employee evaluation, etc

Altruism

An unslefish behavior that benefits others and costs oneself

Social Reciprocity Norm

The social behavior that people who help others will recieve equal benefits from them in return

Social Responsibility Norm

The societal rule that one should help others in need

Bystander Effect

A tendency of individuals to fail to deliver assistance to those in need when others are present (emergencies); confusion of diffusion of responsibility