Social Psychology Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms from the lecture on social psychology, facilitating review and understanding of the material for exam preparation.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of causes and consequences of people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions regarding themselves and other people.

Bottom Up Impression Formation

Gathering individual observations of a person to form an overall impression.

Top Down Impression Formation

Using preconceived information as the basis for impression formation.

Representativeness Heuristic

Overgeneralized beliefs about the traits of an individual based solely on features that indicate group membership.

• Ex. Steryotypes

Just World Beliefs

The belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get. → KARMA

• On one hand… enhances self-esteem and can promote fairness

• On the other hand: Rationalizes inequality and victim blaming

How can just world beliefs be harmful?

They can rationalize inequality and encourage victim blaming

Correspondent Inference

Assuming a person’s behavior reflects their personality or attitude.

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

The tendency to attribute behavior to internal qualities while underestimating the situational factors.

What are roles in psychology?

Social positions that involve expected behaviors and responsibilities.

What are identities?

Personally acknowledged group memberships that influence behavior.

Social Comparison Theory

We learn about ourselves/how we think about ourselves by comparing ourselves to others

Upward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone perceived as superior, more talented, or more successful.

Downward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone perceived as inferior, less talented, or less successful.

Self-Esteem

The extent to which one views oneself positively, as a person of significance, value, and worth.

• buffers potential anxiety, enables us to successfully pursue goals, and helps us satisfy social- belongingness needs.

• Self-Esteem is derived from socio-cultural standards of value!

Self-Serving Attributions

Taking credit for successes while blaming external factors for failures.

Better-Than-Average Effect

The phenomenon where most people think they are better than average at positive traits.

What is basking in reflected glory?

Associating with successful people or groups to boost self-esteem.

Dramaturgical Perspective

people, like actors, perform according to a script, if we all know the script and play our parts well, then like a successful play, our social interactions go smoothly, seem meaningful, and the actors benefit.

Spotlight Effect

The tendency to overestimate the extent to which others notice aspects of ourselves.

• Ex. Being insecure about a haircut but no one even notices

Illusion of Transparency

Overestimating how much others can tell what we are feeling.

Conformity

The phenomenon where individuals alter their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors to match those of a majority/desired group

WHY IS CONFORMITY SO PRESENT? → 2 REASONS

1. Informational social influence

2. Normative social influence

Informational Social Influence

Conforming because we are unsure of the expected behavior and look to others for guidance.

• Ex. Dont remember a dance → Look at peers to see the moves

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to be liked or accepted by others, fearing social consequences for appearing deviant.

• Ex. Drinking to fit in

What did Asch’s conformity study show?

People often conform to a wrong answer to fit in

Obedience

Following direct orders from an authority figure

What did Milgram’s obedience study show?

People obey authority even when it conflicts with their morals.

Stereotyping

Overgeneralized beliefs about an individual based on their perceived group membership.

Prejudice

A negative attitude toward an individual based solely on their presumed group membership.

Discrimination

Negative behavior toward an individual based on their presumed group membership.

How can prejudice be reduced?

Through equal-status contact, cooperation, and perspective-taking.

What is aggression?

Behavior intended to harm another person physically or verbally

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Frustration increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior.

What is displaced aggression?

Taking anger out on someone other than the real source.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help when in the presence of others.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The reduction in individual responsibility to act when others are present.

Cognitive-Behavioral Approach

A treatment approach focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Positive Psychology

The study of strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

Hedonic Treadmill

The concept that people quickly adapt to changes in positive or negative experiences.

Empathy-Altruism Model

The theory suggesting that empathizing with others can lead to altruistic behavior.