Psych

Social Cognition

Mental processes used to understand social interactions.

Attributions

Explanations for behavior (e.g., 'Why did she yell?').

Dispositional Attribution

Blaming behavior on internal traits.

Situational Attribution

Blaming behavior on external factors.

Attribution Theory

How people explain behavior (dispositional vs. situational).

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Overemphasizing dispositional factors for others' behavior.

Actor-Observer Bias

Attributing others' actions to disposition but our own to situation.

Self-Serving Bias

Taking credit for success, blaming failures on external factors.

Explanatory Style

How individuals habitually explain events (optimistic vs. pessimistic).

Optimistic Explanatory Style

Attributing positive events to internal/stable causes, negatives to external/temporary ones.

Pessimistic Explanatory Style

Blaming negatives on internal/stable factors.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes depend on personal effort.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are due to luck/fate.

Mere Exposure Effect

Preferring stimuli encountered frequently.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Expectations influencing behavior to make them come true.

Upward Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone 'better.'

Downward Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone 'worse.'

Relative Deprivation

Feeling disadvantaged compared to a reference group.

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a group.

Prejudice

Negative attitude toward a group.

Discrimination

Negative actions toward a group.

Implicit Attitudes

Unconscious biases affecting behavior.

In-Group Bias

Favoring one's own group.

Ethnocentrism

Believing one's culture is superior.

Out-Group Homogeneity Bias

Seeing out-group members as alike.

Just World Hypothesis

Believing people get what they deserve.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules for acceptable behavior.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to fit in.

Informational Social Influence

Conforming due to uncertainty.

Central Route to Persuasion

Persuasion via logic/facts.

Peripheral Route to Persuasion

Persuasion via superficial cues.

Halo Effect

Assuming one positive trait implies others.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

Compliance with small request increases likelihood of larger ones.

Door-in-the-Face Phenomenon

After rejecting a large request, agreeing to a smaller one.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior to match group norms.

Obedience

Following authority figures.

Individualistic Culture

Values independence (e.g., U.S.).

Collectivistic Culture

Values group harmony (e.g., Japan).

Group Polarization

Group discussions strengthen initial opinions.

Groupthink

Prioritizing harmony over critical analysis.

Bystander Effect/Diffusion of Responsibility

Less likely to help when others are present.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness in groups.

Social Loafing

Exerting less effort in groups.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance in front of others.

False Consensus Effect

Overestimating others' agreement with us.

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals requiring cooperation.

Social Trap

Personal gain leading to collective harm.

Altruism (Prosocial Behavior)

Selfless concern for others.

Social Reciprocity Norm

Expectation to return favors.

Social Responsibility Norm

Obligation to help those in need.

Asch Conformity Study

Participants judged line lengths, but confederates gave wrong answers.

Milgram's Obedience Experiment

Participants administered (fake) shocks to a 'learner' under authority orders.

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment

Students role-played guards/prisoners; guards became abusive.

Social Psychology

Studies how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others.

FAE vs. Actor-Observer vs. Self-Serving Bias

FAE: Others' behavior = dispositional; Actor-Observer: Others' behavior = dispositional; own = situational; Self-Serving: Success = internal; failure = external.

Causes of Stereotypes

Social categorization, media portrayals, in-group/out-group dynamics.

Social Influence Theory

How others' presence affects behavior (conformity, obedience, compliance).

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Two persuasion routes: central (logic) vs. peripheral (superficial cues).

Central vs. Peripheral Route Audiences

Central: Motivated/analytical people; Peripheral: Distracted or low-involvement audiences.

Conformity Factors

Group size, unanimity, cohesion, status, culture.

Obedience Factors

Authority legitimacy, proximity, institutional backing.

I/O Psychologists Study

Workplace motivation, leadership, organizational culture.

Altruism Rewards

Intrinsic (e.g., 'helper's high'), extrinsic (e.g., reciprocity), social approval.