Social Psychology and Personality Theories

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to social psychology and personality theories as outlined in the lecture notes.

Social Psychology

The study of how people influence other people's thoughts, feelings, and actions, and vice versa.

Attribution

People's explanations for why events or actions occur, involving personal or situational factors.

Personal Attribution

Explanations for people's behaviors that refer to internal characteristics like abilities, traits, or moods.

Situational Attribution

Explanations for people's behavior that refer to external events like luck or other people's actions.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency for observers to overemphasize personal characteristics when analyzing others' behaviors.

Actor-Observer Effect

The tendency to attribute our own behaviors to situational factors while attributing others' behaviors to personal factors.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency for people to attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors.

Conformity

A change in individual behavior, attitudes, or beliefs due to group pressure.

Normative Conformity

Changing behavior to be accepted by a group.

Informational Conformity

Changing behavior to be correct based on the actions of the group.

Compliance

Changing one's behavior in response to a request from another person.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

A compliance strategy where a large request is followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

A compliance strategy where an initial small request is followed by a larger request.

Obedience

A person's willingness to comply with the orders or directives of an authority figure.

Milgram Experiment

A study that demonstrated how authority can compel individuals to act against their moral beliefs.

Stanford Prison Study

A study that explored the psychological effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment.

Deindividuation

A loss of self-awareness and personal identity in group situations that increases anonymity.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

The theory stating that individuals experience mental discomfort when their beliefs and behaviors conflict.

Psychoanalytic Theory

Sigmund Freud's theory that unconscious processes and childhood experiences shape personality.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious protective methods that reduce anxiety by distorting reality.

Repression

The defense mechanism of pushing anxiety-provoking thoughts and memories into the unconscious.

Regression

A defense mechanism where an individual reverts to behaviors characteristic of earlier stages of development.

Reaction Formation

A defense mechanism where an individual expresses the opposite of their true feelings.

Rationalization

A defense mechanism that involves explaining away actions or feelings with logical reasons.

Denial

A defense mechanism where an individual refuses to accept reality or facts.

Displacement

Redirecting emotional feelings from a threatening target to a less threatening one.

Projection

Attributing one's own unacceptable feelings or beliefs onto others.

Sublimation

Transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors.

Humanistic Theory

The belief that personality evolves as individuals strive for self-actualization.

Trait Theory

A personality theory that categorizes and measures specific dimensions of personality.

Big Five Personality Traits

Key dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Openness

The extent to which an individual is willing to explore new ideas and experiences.

Conscientiousness

Degree of organization, dependability, and responsibility in a person's behavior.

Extraversion

The tendency to be outgoing, energetic, and socially active.

Agreeableness

The tendency to be compassionate, cooperative, and valuing social harmony.

Neuroticism

The tendency to experience negative emotions and emotional instability.

Social Cognitive Theory

Views personality as shaped by interactions between personal influences and social context.

Reciprocal Determinism

The concept that personal factors, behaviors, and environmental influences continuously interact.

Psychological Disorders

Conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that impair functioning.

Maladaptiveness

Symptoms of psychological disorders that interfere with daily life and functioning.

Ego-Dystonic

Thoughts and behaviors that are in conflict with a person's sense of self.

Mood Disorder

Psychological disorders characterized by emotional disturbances.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A mood disorder defined by persistent sadness and lack of interest that lasts for at least two weeks.

Learned Helplessness

A mindset where individuals believe they are unable to change their circumstances.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A condition marked by excessive worry about various everyday concerns.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear of social situations.

Panic Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A condition marked by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including manic and depressive episodes.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder that affects thought processes, emotions, and behaviors.

Personality Disorder

Enduring maladaptive patterns of behavior and inner experience that deviate from cultural norms.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Characterized by odd or eccentric behaviors.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Involve dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors.

Cluster C Personality Disorders

Characterized by anxious or fearful behaviors.

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)

A pervasive distrust and suspicion of others.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Characterized by disregard for others and lack of empathy.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Characterized by inflated self-importance and lack of empathy.

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)

Characterized by extreme emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors.

Psychopathy

Neuropsychiatric disorder marked by lack of empathy and poor behavioral control.

Sociopathy

Characterized by a disregard for social norms and impulsive behaviors.

Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)

Characterized by excessive reliance on others for emotional and physical needs.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

Characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness and perfectionism.

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Characterized by a pervasive sense of inadequacy and hypersensitivity to rejection.