Textbook

What is social psychology?

The scientific investigation of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the presence of others.

How does social psychology view human behavior?

It is more useful to describe it as a way of looking at human behavior rather than solely its subject matter.

What method does social psychology primarily use to study social behavior?

The scientific method, with experimentation being the preferred method.

What are social psychological data typically transformed into for analysis?

Numbers, which are then analyzed through statistical procedures.

What do statistics in social psychology allow researchers to determine?

Whether research observations reflect true effects or chance events.

What was a significant impetus for the growth of modern social psychology?

The adoption of the experimental method in the 1940s by figures like Kurt Lewin.

Which country quickly dominated social psychology despite its European origins?

The United States.

What characterizes European social psychology in recent years?

A renaissance driven by distinct European intellectual and socio-historical priorities.

What is social cognition?

Cognitive processes and structures that affect and are affected by social context.

What is meant by cognitive misers in social cognition?

People's limited capacity to process information, leading to the use of cognitive shortcuts.

What influences the impressions we form of others?

Stereotypes, unfavorable information, first impressions, and personal constructs.

What bias affects how we process information when judging others?

Schemas that bias all aspects of information processing.

What is the importance of categorization in social cognition?

It accentuates perceived similarities within categories and differences between categories.

What influences when we rely less on schemas?

When the costs of making wrong inferences are high, or when people are aware of the potential inaccuracy of schemas.

What are some individual differences that affect attribution styles?

Propensities to make either internal or external attributions.

What is the actor-observer effect?

A tendency to attribute others' behavior dispositionally and one's own behavior externally.

What role does ethnocentrism play in attributions?

It biases attributions based on group membership and stereotypes.

What is the relationship between emotions and social cognition?

Affect influences social cognition and is mediated by appraisals of accountability.

What is self-awareness?

An awareness of oneself that can sometimes lead to discomfort or upliftment.

How does self-esteem influence behavior?

Higher self-esteem individuals have a clearer sense of self and tend to engage in self-enhancement behaviors.

What is cognitive dissonance?

The conflict between personal beliefs and behavior, leading to attitude changes.

What is the significance of the Yale Research Program in persuasion?

It studied communication and persuasion focusing on the message source, content, and audience.

What factors increase susceptibility to social influence?

The proximity and legitimacy of authority, and social support for obedience or disobedience.

What is the mere presence effect in social psychology?

The observation that people perform easy tasks better and difficult tasks worse in the presence of others.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors in others' behaviors.

What are some common themes found in theories of prejudice?

Prejudice often results from societal norms, personal experiences, and can lead to dehumanization.

What is the social comparison theory?

The idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.

How do group dynamics affect behavior during group tasks?

Groups can lead to social loafing, where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

What role do norms play in group behavior?

Norms regulate behavior within the group, providing a moral compass.

What is groupthink?

A mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group results in dysfunctional decision-making.

What are superordinate goals?

Shared goals that override differences among people and require cooperation.

How can intergroup conflict be reduced?

Through cooperation, establishing shared goals, and promoting intergroup relationships.

What are some characteristics of effective leadership?

Trust, the ability to inspire, and a good fit with the group identity.

What distinguishes transformational leadership?

It is characterized by the leader's ability to inspire and motivate followers to achieve a vision.

What is prosocial behavior?

Acts that are positively valued by society, including helping and altruistic behavior.

What is the bystander effect?

The tendency for individuals to be less likely to help a victim when there are other people present.

What influences attraction between individuals?

Physical attributes, proximity, familiarity, and similarity in attitudes and values.

What is the reinforcement effect in attraction?

A person who generates positive feelings is liked more.

What is empathic concern?

An emotional response to others that includes a desire to help them.

What is the connection between language and communication?

Language is a rule-governed system that facilitates communication about important social matters.

How does culture influence communication?

Cultural norms govern communication styles and practices.

What is acculturation?

The process of adapting to a new culture while retaining some aspects of one's original culture.

What are display rules?

Culturally specific norms that dictate how emotions should be expressed in social interactions.

What challenges exist in cross-cultural psychology?

The tension between universal psychological principles and those that are culture-specific.

What is interpersonal distance a cue for?

The nature of an interpersonal relationship or social setting.

What role does reinforcement play in social behaviors?

Reinforcement principles are crucial in explaining the social learning of prosocial behaviors.

What is the significance of the implicit association test?

It measures the strength of automatic associations between concepts.

What are cognitive shortcuts, and how do they relate to judgment?

Heuristics that simplify decision making but may lead to biases.

What is self-disclosure?

The act of revealing personal information to others, an important element in close relationships.

What effects can group membership have on individual identity?

Group memberships often shape individual identity, influencing behavior and self-conception.

What is the difference between altruistic behavior and helping behavior?

Altruistic behavior is motivated by a desire to benefit others without expectation, whereas helping behavior is intentional actions to benefit others.

How can societal norms dictate prosocial behavior?

Societal norms prescribe helping behaviors, influencing how individuals act in different contexts.

What is the significance of nonverbal communication?

Nonverbal cues communicate emotions and attitudes that may not be conveyed in words.

What is the effect of mass media on aggression?

Mass media can desensitize individuals to violence and model aggressive behavior.

How do intergroup relations influence aggression?

Frustration from perceived deprivation can lead to aggression towards outgroups.

What are the outcomes of prejudice and discrimination on victims?

They can suffer psychological disadvantages, stigma, and low self-esteem.

What is group polarization?

The tendency for group discussions to enhance the dominant position held by group members.

What explains the difference in aggression across cultures?

Cultural norms, values, and allowed behaviors can significantly influence rates of aggression.

How does individualism vs. collectivism manifest in behavior?

In collectivist cultures, interdependence is nurtured, while individualist cultures emphasize independence.

What strategies can be effective in conflict resolution between groups?

Bargaining, mediation, arbitration, and creating superordinate goals.

What can influence the likelihood of bystander intervention?

The presence of other bystanders, the nature of the emergency, and personal factors.