AP Psychology Unit 9

aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy

frustration-aggression principle

the principle that frustration- the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal- creates anger which can generate aggression

aggression-replacement program

lowered re-arrest rates of juveniles and gang members by teaching families communication skills, anger control, and encouraging moral reasoning

reciprocity norm

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

superordinate goals

shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation

social exchange theory

the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs

self-fulfilling prophecy

a belief that leads to its own fulfillment

passionate love

an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship

companionate love

the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined

mirror-image perceptions

mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

Conflict

A struggle between opposing forces

social-responsibility norm

an expectation that people will help those dependent upon them

bystander effect

the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present

social psychology

the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another

attribution theory

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

fundamental attribution error

the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition

self-serving bias

the tendency to perceive oneself favorably

attitude

feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events

foot-in-the-door phenomenon

the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request

cognitive dissonance theory

the idea that we act to reduce the conflict (dissonance) between our thoughts and actions

peripheral route persuasion

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

central route persuasion

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

halo effect

tendency of an interviewer to allow positive characteristics of a client to influence the assessments of the client's behavior and statements

automatic mimicry

Natural tendency to take on the emotional tones of those around us, we are natural mimics, unconsciously imitating others' expressions, postures, and voice tones.

conformity

Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

normative social influence

influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

informational social influence

influence resulting from one's willingness to accept others' opinions about reality

obedience

A form of compliance that occurs when people follow direct commands, usually from someone in a position of authority

group polarization

the enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group

groupthink

the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives

social facilitation

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

social loafing

the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable

Prisoner's Dilemma

a particular "game" between two captured prisoners that illustrates why cooperation is difficult to maintain even when it is mutually beneficial

prejudice

A negative attitude toward an entire category of people, often an ethnic or racial minority.

ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.

stereotype

a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people

subtle racism

Term used to describe a less blatant (more covert) form of racism, which some authors contend has replaced "old-fashioned" (overt) prejudice and discrimination. Typically refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals rather than institutions.

ingroup bias

the tendency to favor one's own group

outgroup

generally, any group that one does not belong to

other-race effect

the tendency to recall faces of one's own race more accurately than faces of other races

just-world phenomenon

the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get

scapegoat theory

the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame