PSYCHOLOGY FINAL STUDYGUIDE

How is social psychology defined in your textbook?

Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.

Why is social psychology described as the 'scientific study' of human behavior?

Because it uses empirical methods and controlled experiments to understand how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.

What historic event prompted a surge of research in social psychology?

The World Wars, particularly WWII.

In which decade did social psychologists begin researching aggression?

The 1950s and 1960s.

How does social psychology differ from sociology?

Social psychology focuses on individual behavior within a group, while sociology studies groups and societies as a whole.

What is a key distinction between social psychology and personality psychology?

Personality psychology focuses on individual differences, whereas social psychology looks at how social situations affect behavior.

Name one of the big ideas in social psychology and describe it.

The power of the situation: it suggests that social behavior is heavily influenced by social context.

What does the hindsight bias refer to?

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that we would have predicted it all along.

What did Kurt Lewin propose in his field theory?

Behavior is a function of the person and the environment, formulated as B = f(P, E).

What is naturalistic observation? Provide an example.

Naturalistic observation involves observing people in their natural environment, like how children play in a playground.

What is the primary disadvantage of correlational research?

Causality cannot be determined; correlation does not imply causation.

What is the role of functional distance in social relationships?

Functional distance refers to the likelihood of two people coming into contact, which affects relationship formation.

What is the mere exposure effect?

The tendency for people to develop a preference for things they are exposed to repeatedly.

What does social exchange theory explain about altruism?

It suggests that people weigh the costs and benefits of helping others before offering assistance.

How does the concept of inclusive fitness relate to altruism?

Inclusive fitness explains that individuals are more likely to act altruistically towards relatives to pass on shared genes.

What is the definition of stress?

Stress is a psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats.

What is the relationship between self-efficacy and health?

Higher self-efficacy beliefs are associated with better mental and physical health outcomes.

Describe Sternberg's triangular theory of love.

Sternberg's theory posits that love consists of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

What is the primary cause of climate change according to the IPCC?

Human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.

What is a social dilemma?

A situation where individual self-interest leads to a worse outcome for the group as a whole.

What is the concept of groupthink?

A psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.

What influences do culture and social norms have on gender roles?

Cultural expectations and societal norms shape how individuals express their gender roles.

What is the definition of prejudice?

A negative attitude toward a group and its members based on their group membership.