Unit 4.3 Psychology of Social Situations

Social Norms

The implicit or explicit rules that govern behavior within a group or society, guiding individuals on how to act in various situations.

Social Influence Theory

A psychological theory that explores how individuals change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to align with those of a group, often influenced by conformity, compliance, and obedience.

Normative Social Influence

The influence to conform to the expectations of others to gain social approval or avoid disapproval.

Informational Social Influence

The influence to conform based on the belief that others possess more accurate information, leading individuals to change their beliefs or behaviors in uncertain situations.

Persuasion

The process of influencing people's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors through communication and argumentation.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

A theory that explains how persuasive messages are processed through two distinct routes: the central route, which involves careful, thoughtful consideration of the arguments; and the peripheral route, which relies on superficial cues and heuristics.

Centeral Rout to Persuasion

The central route to persuasion is a method of persuasion that involves careful and thoughtful consideration of the content of the message, where individuals are motivated to focus on logical arguments and factual evidence.

Peripheral Rout to Persuasion

The peripheral route to persuasion is a method that relies on superficial cues, such as the attractiveness or credibility of the source, rather than the strength of the arguments presented.

Halo effect

The halo effect is a cognitive bias where the perception of one positive trait leads to the assumption of other positive traits in a person, influencing overall judgments and evaluations.

Food-in-the-Door Technique

A persuasive technique where a small request is made first, followed by a larger request, utilizing the principle of incremental commitment.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

A persuasive strategy that starts with a large request that is likely to be refused, followed by a smaller, more reasonable request, making it more likely to be accepted.

Conformity

The tendency to align attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with those of a group or majority, often due to social pressure or the desire for acceptance.

Obedience

A form of social influence where an individual follows direct commands or instructions from an authority figure, often leading to compliance with orders.

Individualism

A social and cultural philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual and prioritizes personal independence and self-reliance over group or collective goals.

Collectivism

The practice or principle of prioritizing the group over the individual, emphasizing shared goals, values, and interdependence within a community.

Multiculturalism

The coexistence of diverse cultures within a society, promoting equal respect and appreciation for different cultural backgrounds.

Group Polarization

The phenomenon in which group discussions intensify group members' prevailing opinions, leading to more extreme positions and behaviors.

Groupthink

A psychological phenomenon where a group of individuals reaches a consensus without critical reasoning or evaluation of alternatives, often leading to poor decision-making.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The tendency for individuals to feel less responsible for their actions when they are part of a group, often leading to inaction or a lack of accountability in emergencies.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone, often because they feel less accountable.

Deindividuation

A psychological state where individuals lose self-awareness and inhibition in groups, often leading to impulsive or deviant behavior.

Social Facilitation

The phenomenon where individuals perform better on simple tasks when in the presence of others, as the presence of an audience increases arousal and motivation.

False Consensus Effect

The tendency for people to overestimate the extent to which others share their beliefs, opinions, and behaviors, often leading to a perception that their views are more widely held than they actually are.

Superordinate Goals

Shared objectives that benefit all parties involved, reducing conflict and promoting cooperation.

Social Traps

Situations where individuals act in their own self-interest, leading to a negative outcome for the group as a whole.

I/O Psychologists

Industrial and organizational psychologists who study workplace behavior and apply psychological principles to improve employee performance and well-being.

Altruism

The selfless concern for the well-being of others, often leading to helping behaviors without expectation of personal gain.

Social Reciprocity Norm

The social norm that obligates individuals to return favors or acts of kindness. It plays a significant role in maintaining social relationships and cooperation within groups.

Social Responsibility Norm

A social standard that suggests individuals should help others in need, especially those who are dependent or vulnerable, regardless of the potential cost to themselves.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present, as responsibility is diffused among the witnesses.

Pluralistic Ignorance

A social phenomenon where individuals in a group mistakenly believe that their own thoughts, feelings, or behaviors differ from those of the majority.

Spotlight Effect

The tendency to overestimate how much others notice and pay attention to our appearance and behavior.

Social Inhibition

The tendency for individuals to restrain their actions or behavior in social situations due to the presence of others, often leading to reduced performance or anxiety.