Behavioral Sciences 8: Social Processes, Attitudes, and Behavior

Deindividuation

A loss of self-awareness in large groups.

Bystander Effect

When in a group, individuals are less likely to respond to a person in need.

Peer Pressure

The social influence placed on individuals by others they consider equals.

Social Loafing

An individual does not pull his or her weight in a group setting.

Polarization

The tendency toward making decisions in a group that are more extreme.

Groupthink

The tendency for groups to make decisions based on ideas and solutions that arise within the group without considering outside ideas.

Culture

The beliefs, ideas, behaviors, actions, and characteristics of a group or society.

Assimilation

The process by which an immigrant or minority takes up elements of mainstream culture. Assimilation is a specific type of socialization. To experience assimilation, a person must first have their own culture, then absorb elements of a new culture.

Multiculturalism

The encouragement of multiple cultures within a community to enhance diversity.

Subcultures

A group of people within a culture that distinguish themselves from the primary culture.

Attitudes

Tendencies toward expression of positive or negative feelings or evaluations of something. Attitude has three components; affective behavior and cognitive.

Functional Attitudes Theory

States that there are four functional areas attitudes; knowledge ego expression adaptability and ego defense.

Learning Theory

States that attitudes are developed through forms learning direct contact direct interaction direct instruction and conditioning.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

States that attitudes are formed and changed through different routes information processing based on degree elaboration.

Social Cognitive Theory

States that attitudes are formed through watching others, personal factors, and the environment. People change their behavior or attitudes based on observation.

Socialization

The process of internalizing the social norms and values expected in one's society.

Sanctions - Positive

A reward for a certain behavior.

Sanctions - Negative

A punishment for a certain behavior.

Formal Sanction

An official reward or punishment.

Informal Sanction

A sanction that is not enforced or punished by an authority but that occurs in everyday interactions with other people. Ex: Asking someone to lower their voice in a movie theater.

Norms

Determine the boundaries of acceptable behavior within a society.

Mores

Informal norms with major importance for society and, if broken, can result in severe sanctions. Ex: Drug abuse is not socially acceptable. 'Right / Wrong'

Folkways

Informal norms that are less significant, yet they still shape our everyday behavior. Ex: Holding a door open for someone. 'Right / Rude'

Taboos

Considered unacceptable by almost every culture (like cannibalism or incest).

Stigma

The extreme disapproval or dislike of a person or group based on perceived differences from the rest of society.

Deviance

Violation of norms, rules, or expectations in a society.

Differential Association Theory

Deviance can be learned through our interactions with others. People commit crimes, at least in part, because of their associations with other people.

Conformity

Changing beliefs or behaviors in order to fit into a group or society.

Compliance

When individuals change their behavior based on the requests of others.

Obedience

A change in behavior based on a command from someone seen as an authority figure.