Ap Pysch - Social Psychology

Social Psychology

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

Attribution Theory

Explains how people interpret behavior by attributing it to internal (personality) or external (situational) causes.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate personality factors and underestimate situational influences when judging others.

Factors Affecting Attributions

Culture, perspective, and visibility of the situation influence whether we make internal or external attributions.

Attitudes

Feelings, beliefs, and behaviors directed toward people, objects, or ideas.

Attitudes Affect Actions

Strong attitudes, especially when externally expressed, can predict behavior.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Persuasion using superficial cues (appearance, emotion) rather than logic.

Central Route Persuasion

Persuasion using facts, logic, and thoughtful processing; leads to longer-lasting attitude change.

Actions Affect Attitudes

Behavior can shape attitudes, especially when actions are voluntary.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

Agreeing to a small request increases likelihood of agreeing to a larger one later.

Stanford Prison Experiment

Study by Philip Zimbardo showing how roles and situations can influence behavior dramatically.

Role

A set of expectations about a social position that guide behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Discomfort from conflicting thoughts or behaviors leads to changing attitudes to reduce tension.

Norms

Rules for accepted and expected behavior.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or thinking to match a group.

Social Contagion

Spread of behaviors, emotions, or ideas through a group.

Conformity and Social Norms

People conform to be accepted and to behave correctly.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to gain approval or avoid rejection.

Informational Social Influence

Conforming because others are seen as a source of accurate information.

Obedience

Following direct orders from authority figures.

Asch’s Experiment

Showed people conform to group pressure even when clearly wrong.

Milgram’s Experiment

Demonstrated obedience to authority, even when it conflicts with personal morals.

Lessons from Studies

Situation powerfully influences behavior; ordinary people can conform or obey under pressure.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on simple tasks when others are present.

Social Loafing

Reduced effort when working in a group.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group situations.

Group Polarization

Strengthening of group members’ initial opinions after discussion.

Groupthink

Desire for harmony overrides realistic decision-making.

Cultural Influence

Behavior is shaped by cultural norms and values.

Culture

Shared beliefs, behaviors, and traditions of a group.

Variation Across Cultures

Differences between individualistic and collectivist societies.

Variation Over Time

Cultural norms and values change across generations.

Prejudice

Unjustified negative attitude toward a group.

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a group.

Discrimination

Unjustified behavior toward a group.

Explicit Prejudice

Conscious attitudes and beliefs.

Implicit Prejudice

Unconscious biases.

Targets of Prejudice

Groups commonly subjected to bias (race, gender, religion, etc.).

Gender Prejudice

Bias based on gender roles or expectations.

LGBTQ Prejudice

Bias against sexual orientation or gender identity.

Belief Systems Prejudice

Bias based on religion or ideology.

Roots of Prejudice

Social inequalities, fear, and learned attitudes.

Social Inequalities

Unequal distribution of resources can increase prejudice.

Just-World Phenomenon

Belief that people get what they deserve.

Ingroup

“Us” group.

Outgroup

“Them” group.

Ingroup Bias

Favoring one’s own group.

Scapegoat Theory

Blaming others when things go wrong.

Other-Race Effect

Tendency to recognize faces of one’s own race more easily.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another.

Biology of Aggression

Aggression is influenced by genetics, brain activity, and hormones.

Genetic Influences

Genes can predispose individuals to aggression.

Neural Influences

Brain areas (like the amygdala) regulate aggression.

Biochemical Influences

Hormones like testosterone increase aggression.

Aversive Events

Pain, heat, or frustration can trigger aggression.

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Frustration leads to anger and potential aggression.

Reinforcement & Modeling

Aggression can be learned through rewards and observing others.

Media Models for Violence

Exposure to violent media may increase aggressive behavior.

Social Script

Learned expectations about how to behave in situations.

Violent Video Games

Can reinforce aggressive scripts, though effects vary.

Psychology of Attraction

Study of why people like and connect with others.

Proximity

Physical closeness increases liking.

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure increases liking.

Modern Matchmaking

Technology influences how relationships form.

Physical Attractiveness

Appearance influences first impressions.

Similarity

Shared interests and beliefs increase attraction.

Romantic Love

Deep emotional connection.

Passionate Love

Intense, emotional, and physical attraction.

Companionate Love

Deep affection and commitment.

Equity

Balance of give-and-take in relationships.

Self-Disclosure

Sharing personal information builds intimacy.

Altruism

Selfless concern for others’ well-being.

Bystander Intervention

Helping behavior in emergency situations.

Bystander Effect

Less likely to help when others are present.

Reciprocity Norm

Expectation that we return help.

Social-Responsibility Norm

Helping those in need regardless of return.

Conflict

Perceived incompatibility of actions or goals.

Social Trap

Short-term self-interest leads to long-term harm.

Mirror-Image Perception

Each side sees the other as evil.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Expectations lead to behaviors that confirm them.

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals that require cooperation.

GRIT Strategy

Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension Reduction; responding to aggression with measured cooperation.