Motivation PSYC 2230 N: Cognitive Consistency and Social Motivation

A collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from key concepts and theories regarding motivation, cognitive consistency, and social behavior examined in the lecture.

Balance Theory

A theory by Fritz Heider stating that the relationship between people and/or objects needs to be balanced for consistency among three elements.

Cognitive Dissonance

A theory by Leon Festinger that describes the tension when a person's beliefs, attitudes, opinions, and behaviors are inconsistent.

Justification of Effort

The tendency to value an object more when significant effort has been expended to achieve it.

Post-decisional Dissonance

The phenomenon where, after making a choice, a person inflates their preference for the selected option and ignores contrary information.

Self-Perception Theory

The theory proposing that individuals infer their own attitudes and beliefs by observing their behavior as an outsider would.

Social Facilitation

The tendency for people to perform better on tasks in the presence of others compared to when they are alone.

Social Inhibition

The phenomenon where the presence of an audience may impair performance on tasks that are not well-learned.

Conformity

A change in beliefs or behaviors due to real or imagined pressure from a group or individual.

Compliance

A change in behavior in response to a direct request.

Obedience

Following the commands or instructions of an authority figure.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.

Pluralistic Ignorance

A situation where individuals think others have a different opinion or reaction than they do, leading to inaction.