PSY250 Fall 2025 Exam 3 Study Guide

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to interpersonal attraction, pro-social behavior, and prejudice for the PSY250 exam.

Propinquity effect

The tendency for individuals to be attracted to those who are physically close to them.

Functional distance

The influence of architectural layout on interpersonal attraction.

Mere exposure effect

The phenomenon where repeated exposure to a stimulus increases liking for it.

Similarity-attraction hypothesis

The idea that people are attracted to others who are similar to themselves.

Companionate love

A deep, affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.

Passionate love

An intense longing for union with another, characterized by emotional and sexual attraction.

Sternberg’s triangular theory of love

A model that describes love in terms of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Social exchange theory

A theory that posits that human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis.

Bystander effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present.

Pluralistic ignorance

A situation where a majority of group members privately reject a norm, but go along with it because they incorrectly assume that most others accept it.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified and widely held beliefs about a particular group of people.

Prejudice

A preconceived opinion not based on reason or actual experience, often directed towards a group.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of different categories of people or things.

In-group bias

The tendency to favor one's own group over other groups.

Out-group homogeneity

The perception that members of a different group are more similar to each other than they really are.

Stereotype threat

The risk of confirming negative stereotypes about one’s group, which can impact performance.

Just world phenomenon

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

Self-fulfilling prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment.

Modern prejudice

Subtle, indirect forms of prejudice that may manifest in social judgments or behaviors.

Overt prejudice

Open and explicit expressions of negative attitudes towards a group.