social psychologist
focus on the situation
social psychology studies
social influence that explains why the same person will act differently in different situations
attribution
inferring the cause of someones behavior (explanation)
antecedent
info about the person/situation prior to the current circumstance
attribution theory
can attribute behavior to persons stable enduring traits or to the situation
fundamental attribution error
overestimate the influence of personality & underestimate the influence of situations
actor observer discrepancy
exception to fundamental attribution error
if we are actor
attribute behavior to situation
if observer
attribute behavior to internal causes
main idea of social psych
attributions have consequences
just world hypothesis
world is fair and victim must of deserved it (blaming victim)
self serving bias
using explanations that meet our needs (take credit for success, blame others for failures) *individual
self effacing bias
modesty bias (collective culture) blame selves for failures downplay success
attitudes
feelings that predispose our reactions to people objects & events
3 components of attitudes
cognitive: thoughts/beliefs
behavioral: actions
emotional: feelings
cognitive dissonance
leon festinger when behavior/attitudes and beliefs dont line up
how do people fix cognitive dissonance
by rationalizing behavior, change attitude, radical acceptance
peripheral persuasion
doesnt engage systematic thinking but produces fast results (insta adds from celebs, direct approach)
central
other evidence & arguements aim to trigger favorable thoughts (indirect approach, analytical, involved issues)
foot in the door phenomenon
agree to small request comply later w/ larger request
rule of reciprocity
if i scratch your back you scratch mine
role
set expectations about social position & how you behave
automatic mimicry
unconsciously mimic others
chameleon effect
study done by Tanya Chartrard & John Bargh if people copy our behavior we tend empathize with them more
conformity
adjusting our behavior or thinking toward some group standard
reasons we conform
insecure, group of 3’s, everyone agrees, status & attractiveness, no prior commitment to response, people watching us, cultural expectations
normative social influence
sensitive to social norms (avoiding rejection & gain social approval)
informational social influence
conform because we want to be accurate
social influence
how others affect our behavior
groups
collection of people who interact, share a common goal, & influence members thinking & action
primary groups
people who you interact w/ daily
secondary
larger groups whom you have more impersonal relationship
social facilitation
improved performance of task in presence of others
law of readiness
someone isn’t ready to perform then they will avoid it if theyre ready they will be ready
social inhibition
being in front of people decreases performance
social loafing
tendency for members in large group to work less
variables in loafing
size more people less work, some people may be better at task, & sharing equally in benefits
group think
tight cohesive group makes a bad decision
group polarization
beliefs grow stronger in a group w/ likeminded people (echo chamber)
deindividuation
group participation makes people feel aroused & anonymous (we did it)
social control
power of situation
minority influence
power of one or two individuals
culture
behaviors, values, & traditions that have been passed down through generations
relative affluence
relative wealth of people helps distinguish them form others (population, technology, climate)
social relations
how we relate to one another
first impressions
influence future of relationship & based on physical appearance
primacy effect
form opinions of others based on first impressions
person perception
active & subjective process that occurs when we are looking at an individual
4 principles of perception
reaction to them, your goals, evaluation of social norms, your self perception & act on perception
social categorization
mental shortcuts when no time form an impression (classify them)
implicit personality theory
beliefs/assumptions we have about certain traits that are linked to other characteristics/type of people
prejudice
negative judgement
stereotype
cluster of characteristics given to people
discrimination
actions based on stereotypes & prejudice
ethnocentrinism
belief that ones culture is better than the others
automatic prejudice
attitude that is an unthinking response
in group
group you belong to (see as diverse/biased)
out group
not a member of (homogeneity effect)
other race effect/ cross race
own race bias (starts 3-9 months recognition of faces)
elliot aronson jigsaw classroom technique
students become experts & teach other group memebers
3 ingredients of liking a person
proximity, attractiveness, similarity
mere exposure effect
exposure to novel stimuli creates liking for them
passionate love
physical arousal & cognitive appraisal
companion love
deep affectionate attachment oxytocin releases
3 ingredients to love
equity (give take =), self disclosure (revealing intimate details), positive support (communication)
aggression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt/destroy
frustration-aggression principle
frustration (blocking an attempt to achieve a goal) creates anger
social script
culturally modeled guide for how to act in certain situation
altruism
unselfish concern for the welfare of others
prosocial behavior
any behavior that helps another person no matter motive
why we help people?
cost benefit analysis (do pros out weigh cons)
social exchange theory
max rewards minimize cost
reciprocity norms
expectations that we should return help not harm those who have helped us
social responsibility norm
help those who need help (kids)
uninvolved bystander
diffusion of responsibility the more bystanders less people feel responsible
factors decreasing bystander affect
feel good doing things for others, guilt, see others helping, woman is in trouble, person deserves help, know how to help, not in a hurry/preoccupied
social traps
harm our collective well being for pursuing our personal interest
mirror image perception
see enemy as untrustworthy they see us the same
promoting peace
close contact. cooperation, communication, conciliation