psyc

Attribution Theory

Explaining behavior by crediting either the situation (situational attribution) or the person’s traits (dispositional attribution).

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Overestimating personality and underestimating situation.

Self-Serving Bias

Success = personal credit; failure = blame the situation.

Attitude

Feelings based on beliefs that guide behavior.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Emotional/visual appeal (celebrity, attractiveness).

Central Route Persuasion

Logical evidence and reasoning.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

Small agreement → larger agreement later.

Role-Playing

Acting a role can shape beliefs (Zimbardo Prison Study).

Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger)

We change our attitudes to reduce tension when actions and beliefs conflict.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior/thought to match others.

Normative Social Influence

Conform to gain approval.

Informational Social Influence

Conform because others seem correct.

Asch Experiment

People gave wrong answers to fit in with group.

Obedience

Following authority.

Milgram Experiment

“Teacher” shocked “learner” when ordered — majority obeyed.

Social Facilitation

Better on easy tasks, worse on hard tasks with audience.

Social Loafing

Less effort in group projects.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness/restraint in groups (mobs).

Group Polarization

Like-minded discussion strengthens opinions.

Groupthink (Janis)

Desire for harmony overrides realistic analysis.

Minority Influence

One consistent voice can sway majority.

Social vs Personal Control

External influence vs self-control.

Prejudice

Negative attitude toward a group.

Discrimination

Negative behavior toward a group.

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a group.

Implicit Bias

Automatic prejudice we may not realize.

Ingroup/Outgroup

“Us” vs “Them.”

Ingroup Bias

Favor own group.

Scapegoat Theory

Blaming others provides outlet for anger.

Just-World Phenomenon

Belief that world is fair; victims “get what they deserve.”

Other-Race Effect

Better recognition for own-race faces.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm physically or verbally.

Biological Influences

Influences on aggression include genetic (twin studies), neural (amygdala, frontal lobe), and biochemical (testosterone, alcohol).

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Blocking goals → anger → aggression.

Learning Aggression

Observation/modeling (Bandura Bobo Doll).

Media Violence Effect

Repeated exposure desensitizes and increases aggression.

Proximity

Closeness increases liking.

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure breeds liking.

Physical Attractiveness

Major factor in first impressions.

Similarity

Shared interests/values increase attraction.

Passionate Love

Arousal + intense absorption.

Companionate Love

Deep affectionate attachment.

Equity

Give/take balance = happier relationship.

Self-Disclosure

Sharing personal info builds intimacy.

Altruism

Unselfish concern for others.

Bystander Effect

Less likely to help when others present (Kitty Genovese).

Social Exchange Theory

Help if benefits outweigh costs.

Reciprocity Norm

Help those who help you.

Social Responsibility Norm

Help those who depend on you.

Conflict

Perceived incompatibility of goals/actions.

Social Trap

Pursuing self-interest → mutual harm.

Mirror-Image Perceptions

Each side sees itself as moral, the other as evil.

GRIT (Osgood)

Gradual reciprocal steps to reduce tension between groups/nations.