Social Cognition and Behavior Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts of social cognition, attribution errors, and group compliance based on the lecture notes.

Social cognition

How we think and influence each other within a social context.

Self serving bias

The tendency to internalize good things and externalize bad things as a way to protect self-esteem.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate the influence of personality and underestimate the influence of the situation when judging the behavior of others.

Individualistic cultures

Cultures that tend to be worse at the fundamental attribution error because they focus more on individuals.

Fundamental Attribution Error Prevention

Techniques such as taking time, putting yourself in another person's shoes, paying attention to the situation, and repeated exposure.

Darley and Batson (1973)

A study demonstrating that a specific attitude takes precedence over a situation unless the pressure exerted is too high.

Cognitive dissonance

Mental tension created when two simultaneous thoughts are inconsistent.

Methods to reduce dissonance

Avoiding, eliminating, or justifying inconsistent thoughts or behaviors.

Factors limiting behavior-attitude change

The requirement of a 'slippery slope' for extreme behavior, as people usually will not completely contradict their attitudes initially.

Conformity

Compliance with a group, often due to pressure and judgment from others.

Obedience

Compliance to authority.