c9 psy

Social Psychology

The study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another

Attribution Theory

We explain behavior by crediting it to a person’s traits or the situation

Fundamental Attribution Error

Tendency to overestimate personal traits and underestimate the situation when explaining others’ behavior

Attitudes

Feelings influenced by beliefs that make us respond in certain ways

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Persuasion based on superficial cues (like looks or emotion)

Central Route Persuasion

Persuasion based on facts and evidence

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

Agreeing to a small request makes you more likely to agree to a bigger one later

Role

Behaviors expected of someone in a certain position (example: student, soldier)

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

We act to reduce discomfort when our actions and beliefs don’t match

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or thinking to match a group standard

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Informational Social Influence

Conforming because we think others are right

Obedience

Following orders from an authority figure (example: Milgram experiment)

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on easy tasks when others are watching

Social Loafing

People put in less effort in a group than when alone

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity

Group Polarization

Strengthening of a group’s existing attitudes after discussion

Groupthink

When desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decisions and no dissent

Prejudice

Unjustified negative attitude toward a group and its members

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group of people

Discrimination

Unjustified negative behavior toward a group and its members

Ingroup

“Us” — people we share identity with

Outgroup

“Them” — those perceived as different or apart from our group

Ingroup Bias

Favoring one’s own group

Scapegoat Theory

Blaming someone else for our problems (often outgroups)

Just-World Phenomenon

Belief that people get what they deserve (good is rewarded, bad is punished)

Aggression

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Frustration creates anger, which can lead to aggression

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure to something increases liking it

Companionate Love

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

Passionate Love

Intense, positive absorption in another person (early in relationships)

Equity

Condition where people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give

Self-Disclosure

Revealing intimate details about ourselves to others

Altruism

Unselfish concern for others’ well-being

Bystander Effect

Likelihood of helping decreases when others are present (example: Kitty Genovese case)

Social Exchange Theory

Helping behavior is based on weighing costs and benefits

Reciprocity Norm

Expectation to return help to those who have helped us

Social-Responsibility Norm

Expectation to help those who need help even if they can’t repay us

Conflict

Perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas

Social Trap

Situation where conflicting parties pursue self-interest, harming collective good (example: overfishing)

Mirror-Image Perceptions

Each side sees itself as good and the other as evil

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Belief that leads to its own fulfillment

GRIT (Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension Reduction)

Strategy to reduce conflict by showing small, conciliatory acts

Attraction Factors

Proximity, physical attractiveness, and similarity increase liking