psycho

flashcard for the topic 1: social psychology

Social Psychology

Social Psychology

Concerned with understanding aspects of human behavior involving relationships to others, groups, society, and culture.

Obedience

A form of social influence where an individual's behavior is influenced by real or imagined pressure from an authority figure.

Agency Theory

A theory proposed by Stanley Milgram suggesting that individuals can see themselves as acting on behalf of an authority figure, reducing personal responsibility.

Social Impact Theory

Developed by Bibb Latané; posits that social influence is a function of the strength, immediacy, and number of sources compared to targets.

Milgram's Experiment

A study that investigated obedience, where participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a learner under the guidance of an authority figure.

Moral Strain

An emotional conflict experienced when a person must act against their personal conscience due to pressure from an authority figure.

Self-report Data

Information gathered from participants about their own attitudes or behaviors, often through surveys or questionnaires.

Prejudice

An extreme, unfavorable attitude associated with cognitive (stereotypes), affective (hostility), and behavioral (discrimination) components.

Realistic Conflict Theory

A theory suggesting that prejudice arises from competition between groups for resources.

Social Identity Theory

A theory stating that individuals derive part of their self-concept from their group memberships, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group bias.

Displacement of Responsibility

A psychological process in which individuals attribute their actions to the demands of an authority figure, absolving them of personal accountability.

Ethical Guidelines in Research

Regulations ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, including respect, competence, responsibility, and integrity.

Jigsaw Technique

An educational strategy that promotes cooperation among students and reduces prejudice by requiring them to work together.

Nature-Nurture Debate

A discussion in psychology regarding the relative importance of genetic factors (nature) versus environmental factors (nurture) in shaping behavior.

Reductionism

An approach that attempts to explain complex phenomena by reducing them to their simplest factors or components.

The Bystander Effect

A social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present, due to the diffusion of responsibility.

Hierarchical Social Structure

An organization of individuals in a society where some members hold more authority than others, influencing levels of obedience.

Autonomy

The state of being self-governing; in the context of obedience, it refers to acting according to one's own free will.

Agency

When one acts as an agent for another, often involving the absolution of personal responsibility.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and adopt the rules and norms of their society through agents such as family, schools, and peers.