PSYU3333 Advanced Topics in Social Psychology

What is Social Psychology?

The scientific study of how an individual's thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by the actual, imagined, or symbolically represented presence of other peop

What are the 'ABC's' in Social Psychology?

A: Affect - feelings, emotions

B: Behaviour - actions (and interactions)

C: Cognition - thoughts, attitudes

What is a "construal" in social psychology?

The way a person perceives and interprets the world

What is not one of the five central social motives?

Power

Which motive is most related to wanting to feel valued and respected by others?

Self-Enhancement

What kind of thinking is fast, automatic, and often unconscious?

Automatic thinking

In the Dual Process Model, which step involves effortful and deliberate thought?

Second step

What are schemas?

Mental structures organizing knowledge around themes

What is the main function of schemas?

They help us interpret ambiguous information efficiently

What heuristic involves judging how easily something comes to mind?

Availability

According to Kelley's Covariation Model, what combination leads to an internal attribution?

Low consensus, low distinctiveness, high consistency

What is the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)?

Overestimating dispositional factors in others' behaviour

What is the Actor/Observer Effect?

We attribute others' behaviour to internal causes and our own to external causes

What is a self-serving attribution?

Attributing successes to internal causes and failures to external causes

What does the belief in a just world lead to?

Victim blaming

What is the main difference between a schema and a heuristic?

Schemas are knowledge structures; heuristics are mental shortcuts

According to the Dual Process Model of FAE, what reduces bias in attribution?

Taking time and using controlled thinking

Maria failed her driving test and said, "The instructor was in a bad mood." What type of attribution is she making?

External attribution

James sees a classmate trip and fall. He immediately thinks, "They're so clumsy." What concept best explains James' reaction?

Fundamental attribution error

A hiring manager assumes an applicant who speaks assertively must also be intelligent and a good leader. Which shortcut is most likely at play?

Representativeness heuristic

Despite being told that a writer had no choice in their position on a debate topic, a reader believes the writer must genuinely support their argument. This reflects:

Fundamental attribution error

Sara always assumes people think like her and is surprised when others disagree with her beliefs. This is an example of:

False consensus effect

David is trying not to think about his upcoming exam, but the more he tries, the more anxious he becomes. What explains this?

Ironic process theory

Tina donates to charity and thinks she's a kind person. When she sees others donate, she assumes they want praise. This illustrates:

Actor/observer effect

A friend chooses to work at a non-profit despite earning less. You assume they are altruistic. According to Jones & Harris, your judgment is likely based on:

Correspondent inference theory

During a hiring decision, the manager thinks about the candidate's qualifications but still heavily relies on their first impression. What best describes this?

Anchoring and adjustment

Alex believes that people who experience misfortune must have done something wrong to deserve it. This belief is best explained by:

Belief in a just world

If you want to avoid the Fundamental Attribution Error when judging someone's rude behaviour, what should you do?

Engage in deliberate, controlled thinking

What are the ABCs of the self in social psychology?

Affect: how we evaluate ourselves, enhance self image and defend against threats to self esteem

Behaviour: how we regulate our actions and present ourselves according to interpersonal demands

Cognition: how we come to know ourselves, develop self concept, maintain a sense of identity

According to Higgins' Self-Discrepancy Theory, which self reflects who we want to be?

Ideal self

Which function of the self helps us interpret and recall information about ourselves and the world?

Organisational function

What is self-concept made up of?

Self-schemas

What does the 'self as knower' refer to in William James' theory?

Self-awareness

In which culture is the interdependent view of the self more common?

Collectivist cultures

What is introspection?

Looking inward to examine one's thoughts and feelings

According to Self-Perception Theory, how do people infer their own attitudes when they are unsure?

By observing their own behaviour

What is ego depletion?

State where prior acts of self-control reduce later self-regulation ability

What is the Spotlight Effect?

The belief others are watching us more closely than they really are

What is social tuning?

Adopting another person's attitudes to be liked

Which of the following best describes ingratiation?

Trying to be likeable to another person

What is downward social comparison used for?

To protect self-esteem

What is self-handicapping?

Deliberately creating obstacles to future success

What are positive illusions about the self associated with in individualist cultures?

Enhanced motivation and social bonding

What does Self-Verification Theory propose?

People seek to maintain accurate and consistent views of the self

Sophie fails her driving test. She tells her friends, "The instructor was rude and unfair." What concept does this illustrate?

Self-serving attribution

Jamal sees himself as ambitious and capable. He chooses to hang out with people who see him that way too. Which theory explains this?

Self-verification theory

Priya, who is shy, avoids volunteering answers in class to prevent looking foolish. What self-presentation strategy is she likely using?

Protective self-presentation

Marco starts volunteering regularly after seeing himself through his close friend's admiring perspective. This reflects which concept?

Looking-glass self

During a job interview, Amanda emphasizes her intelligence and leadership experience. Which impression management strategy is she using?

Self-promotion

Kevin eats healthily all day and studies hard for hours. Later, he finds himself giving up quickly when trying to solve a difficult puzzle. What concept explains this?

Ego depletion

During a party, John feels like everyone notices he spilled his drink, even though most didn't see it. What is he experiencing?

Spotlight effect

Mei is from a collectivist culture. Compared to someone from an individualist culture, she is more likely to:

Derive self-esteem from contributing to group goals

Tanya joins a new study group and starts echoing the opinions of the most liked member, even though she disagrees. This is best described as:

Social Comparison

A student who received poor feedback on an assignment blames the marker's bias instead of accepting the criticism. Which bias is at play?

Defensive attribution

Ravi, who wants to be a professional musician, constantly compares himself to a peer who is already successful. What type of comparison is this?

Upward social comparison

A person scores poorly on a test and claims they were tired from helping a friend all night. What is this an example of?

Self-handicapping

What are the three components of an attitude?

Affect, behaviour, cognition

A behavioural attitude is based on:

Observations of how one acts toward the attitude object

What is an example of an implicit attitude?

Automatically feeling discomfort when hearing a stereotype

Which function of attitudes helps us avoid discomfort or embarrassment?

Utilitarian

What does the Theory of Planned Behaviour suggest influences deliberate behaviour?

Specific attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control

Which method best reduces social desirability bias in self-reports of attitudes?

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

What best explains the sleeper effect in persuasion?

Forgetting the source, while remembering the message

According to Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory, what causes dissonance?

Conflict between behaviours and beliefs

What is a key feature of the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)?

Attitudes change through central or peripheral processing routes

Which persuasion route relies on superficial cues like attractiveness or humour?

Peripheral

The tendency to adjust attitudes to match behaviours and reduce discomfort is known as:

Cognitive dissonance

What is the 'door-in-the-face' technique?

Starting with a large request that gets rejected, then asking for a smaller one

In Milgram's study, what percentage of participants administered the maximum voltage?

65%

According to Sherif's study, informational social influence occurs when people:

Believe others have more accurate information

Normative social influence is driven by:

The desire to be liked or accepted

What is the 'foot-in-the-door' technique?

Getting agreement on a small request first, then making a larger one

Liam supports animal rights but eats meat regularly. He feels uncomfortable about this. What is Liam experiencing?

Cognitive dissonance

Emma buys a $400 coat. Afterward, she looks up reviews to justify the purchase. This is likely an example of:

Post-decision dissonance reduction

After seeing an expert doctor on TV support a new supplement, Sarah buys it. Which persuasion route is most likely at work?

Peripheral route

During a group discussion about climate change, Jack changes his opinion to match what others say, believing they are better informed. What influence is this?

Informational social influence

Nina wants her roommate to help clean the apartment. First, she asks her to vacuum one room. The next day, she asks her to clean the whole apartment. This is an example of:

Foot-in-the-door technique

A politician repeatedly uses humour in campaign ads to increase likability. What persuasion route are they targeting?

Peripheral

Caleb tells his parents he supports a university protest because he truly believes in the cause. In reality, he only joined because his friends did. This demonstrates:

Normative social influence

Which situation is most likely to lead someone to engage in central route processing?

The person cares deeply about the topic and has time to think

During Milgram's study, what factor most increased obedience?

Authority figure's presence in the room

A campaign ad uses vivid imagery and emotional appeals rather than detailed arguments. Which route to persuasion is being used?

Peripheral

Laura wants to increase recycling at her workplace. She posts signs that say "Most employees recycle every day." What concept is she using?

Subjective norms

Tom initially refuses to donate $50 to charity. When asked to donate $10 instead, he agrees. What persuasion tactic was used?

Door-in-the-face

What is a social norm?

A shared expectation of behavior in a group or society

Which of the following best explains why people follow social norms?

To fit in and guide decisions

What does 'social proof' refer to?

Using others' actions to determine appropriate behavior

What do social norms often maintain?

The status quo and inequality

What is the definition of a 'social majority'?

The group with the most power or influence in society

Which of the following terms better describes a group historically referred to as a 'social minority'?

Marginalised or minoritised group

What does 'intersectionality' refer to?

The overlap of multiple social identities in shaping experience

According to Social Identity Theory, what motivates people to favour their ingroup over outgroups?

Motivation to boost self-esteem

What does the 'minimal group paradigm' demonstrate?

Even arbitrary group distinctions can lead to favoritism

What is the key difference between personal and social identity?

Personal identity is internal; social identity relates to group membership

What is stigma according to Goffman?

A discrediting attribute that reduces a person's social value

Which of the following is NOT one of Goffman's types of stigma?

Stigma of the environment

What is 'courtesy stigma'?

Guilt by association with a stigmatised person

Which of the following best illustrates a discreditable stigma?

A hidden mental illness

What are the ABCs of bias?

Affect (Prejudice), Behaviour (Discrimination), Cognition (Stereotypes)

What is the core difference between a stereotype and prejudice?

Prejudice involves emotion; stereotype involves belief