Understanding the Nature and Dynamics of Social Relationships

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture slides covering social relationships, social influence, social perception, social interaction types, intergenerational relationships, and intergroup relationships.

Relationship

The way two or more people are connected, or the way they behave toward each other.

Social Relationship

A connection or interaction between two or more individuals, including family, friends, acquaintances, and romantic partners, that provides a sense of connection, purpose, support, and can influence physical and psychological well-being.

Social Influence

The process by which individuals change their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours as a result of their interactions with people in their social groups and communities.

Compliance

A type of social influence described by Herbert Kelman where a person seems to agree and follows what is requested or required of them, but does not necessarily have to really believe or agree to it.

Identification

A type of social influence described by Herbert Kelman where a person changes their behaviour or attitudes to match those of a group or person they admire, often to feel a sense of belonging or connection.

Internalization

A type of social influence described by Herbert Kelman where a person adopts a belief or behaviour as their own, not just to fit in but because they genuinely agree with it.

Conformity

A type of social influence that involves a change in behaviour, belief, or thinking to be like others to obtain their friendship or acceptance.

Persuasion

A technique used by one person or group to influence another to change their beliefs, actions, or attitudes by appealing to reason or emotion.

Obedience

A situation where a person follows what someone tells him/her to do, although it may not necessarily reflect the person's set of beliefs or values.

Conversion

Occurs when an individual wholeheartedly changes his/her original thinking and beliefs, actions, and attitudes to align with and accept those of the other members of the group.

Social Perception

The process through which we seek to know and understand other people, which serves as one important component of social competence and successful social life.

Social Competence

The ability to handle social interactions effectively by using a combination of social, emotional, and cognitive skills to get along with others, form and maintain relationships, and adapt to social situations.

Observation (Social Perception)

The initial stage of social perception where individuals gather information about others through various channels, including persons, situations, and behavior.

Attribution

A component of social perception involving making inferences about the causes of observed behaviors by attributing behavior to internal factors (personality traits, intentions) or external factors (situation, circumstances).

Integration (Social Perception)

The stage in social perception where individuals combine the information gathered from observations and attributions to form an overall holistic impression of a person.

Confirmation (Social Perception)

The stage where individuals seek information that confirms their initial judgment or leads to its revision.

Social Interaction

Refers to the process by which people mutually or reciprocally influence one another's attitudes, feelings, and actions.

Cooperation

A form of social interaction wherein two or more persons work together to gain a common end.

Formal Cooperation

Cooperation characterized by written agreements or contracts that outline the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the parties involved.

Informal Cooperation

Cooperation that occurs without formal agreements and is often based on mutual understanding, trust, and shared goals, allowing for flexibility and adaptability.

Direct Cooperation

Cooperation in which individuals knowingly perform the identical function or activity together for common goals.

Indirect Cooperation

Cooperation where individuals do unlike tasks together toward a common end.

Accommodation

A process of getting along in spite of differences, or the process of developing temporary working agreements between conflicting individuals and groups.

Co-ordinate Accommodation

A form of accommodation where both parties are equally popular or strong, and accommodate each other by leaving behind competition.

Superordinate Accommodation

A form of accommodation where one party is stronger or weaker than the other.

Competition

The striving of two or more persons for the same goal, which is limited so that all cannot share it.

Personal Competition

A form of competition where competitors know each other, such as two competitors contesting for election to office.

Impersonal Competition

A form of competition where contestants are not aware of one another's identity, as found in university or civil service exams.

Conflict

A form of emotionalized and violent opposition in which the major concern is to overcome the opponent as a means of securing a given goal or reward.

Intergenerational Relationship

A chain of relationships between aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren.

Silent Generation

The generation cohort born between 1925 and 1945.

Baby Boomers

The generation cohort born between 1946 and 1964.

Generation X

The generation cohort born between 1965 and 1980.

Millennials (or Generation Y)

The generation cohort born between 1981 and 1996.

Generation Z

The generation cohort born between 1997 and 2012.

Generation Alpha

The generation cohort born between 2013 and 2025.

Generation Gap

The difference of opinions between one generation and another regarding beliefs and values, referring to a perceived gap between younger people and their parents and/or grandparents.

Intergroup Relationship

Refers to the interactions, both positive and negative, between individuals belonging to different groups.

Pluralism

A type of intergroup relationship characterized by mutual respect on the part of all cultures, both dominant and subordinate, creating a multicultural environment of acceptance.

Assimilation

The process by which a minority individual or group gives up its own identity by taking on the characteristics of the dominant culture.

Amalgamation

The process by which a minority group and a majority group combine to form a new group.

Genocide

The most extreme and intolerant form of intergroup relationship, consisting of the deliberate and systematic killing of an entire people or group.

Expulsion

Refers to a subordinate group being forced, by a dominant group, to leave a certain area or country.

Segregation

Refers to the physical separation of two groups, particularly in residence, but also in workplace and social functions.