Unit 9 Study Guide Pt. 1

Social Psychology

The study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.

Attribution Theory

The theory that explains how individuals interpret and explain the causes of behavior.

Fundamental Attribution Theory

The tendency to attribute others' behavior to internal factors while overlooking situational factors.

Attitude

A learned predisposition to respond to a person, object, or idea in a particular way.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Persuasion that occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker's attractiveness.

Central Route Persuasion

Persuasion that occurs when people are motivated to process information and are influenced by the strength of arguments.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

The theory that individuals are motivated to reduce the inconsistency between their attitudes and behaviors.

Norms

Rules that regulate social behavior and expectations within a group.

Conformity

Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match those of others in a group.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to gain approval or avoid disapproval from others.

Informational Social Influence

Conforming because one views others' behavior as a source of information.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on tasks in the presence of others.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort in a group task than when working alone.

Deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.