Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality

Attribution theory

Explains how people interpret and explain the causes of behavior.

Dispositional attribution

Explaining behavior as caused by personality traits.

Situational attribution

Explaining behavior as caused by external circumstances.

Optimistic explanatory style

Explaining negative events as temporary and changeable.

Pessimistic explanatory style

Explaining negative events as permanent and personal.

Actor-observer bias

Explaining your own behavior with situations but others' behavior with traits.

Fundamental attribution error (FAE)

Overemphasizing personality traits when judging others' behavior.

Self-serving bias

Taking credit for success and blaming failures on situations.

External locus of control

Belief that outcomes are controlled by outside forces.

Internal locus of control

Belief that you control your own outcomes.

Mere exposure effect

Increased liking of something after repeated exposure.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

A belief that leads to behaviors that make the belief come true.

Social comparison

Evaluating yourself by comparing to others.

Relative deprivation

Feeling disadvantaged compared to others even if doing well.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group of people.

Prejudice

Negative attitudes or feelings toward a group.

Discrimination

Unjust actions toward a group or individual.

Implicit attitudes

Unconscious beliefs that influence behavior.

Just-world phenomenon

Belief that people get what they deserve.

Out-group homogeneity bias

Seeing members of other groups as all alike.

In-group bias

Favoring one's own group over others.

Ethnocentrism

Belief that one's culture is superior to others.

Belief perseverance

Holding onto beliefs despite contradictory evidence.

Confirmation bias

Seeking information that supports existing beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance

Discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors.

Social norms

Rules for acceptable behavior in a group.

Normative social influence

Conforming to be liked or accepted.

Informational social influence

Conforming because others are believed to be correct.

Elaboration likelihood model

Explains how persuasion occurs through different routes.

Central route to persuasion

Persuasion using logic and evidence.

Peripheral route to persuasion

Persuasion using emotional or superficial cues.

Halo effect

Allowing one positive trait to influence overall judgment.

Foot-in-the-door technique

Starting with a small request to gain compliance later.

Door-in-the-face technique

Starting with a large request, then making a smaller one.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior to match a group.

Obedience

Following direct commands from authority figures.

Individualism

Cultural focus on personal goals and independence.

Collectivism

Cultural focus on group goals and cooperation.

Multiculturalism

Valuing and respecting cultural diversity.

Group polarization

Strengthening of group opinions after discussion.

Groupthink

Poor decision-making caused by desire for group harmony.

Diffusion of responsibility

Feeling less responsible when others are present.

Social loafing

Reduced effort when working in a group.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group situations.

Social facilitation

Improved performance when others are present.

False consensus effect

Belief that others share your opinions.

Superordinate goals

Shared goals that reduce group conflict.

Social trap

Situation where individual self-interest harms the group.

Industrial-organizational psychology

Study of behavior in the workplace.

Burnout

Emotional exhaustion due to prolonged stress.

Altruism

Helping others without expecting anything in return.

Social responsibility norm

Belief that we should help those in need.

Social reciprocity norm

Expectation that favors should be returned.

Bystander effect

Less likely to help when others are present.

Psychodynamic theory

Personality influenced by unconscious conflicts.

Unconscious

Thoughts and desires outside awareness.

Ego defense mechanisms

Unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety.

Denial

Refusing to accept reality.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a safer target.

Projection

Attributing one's own feelings to others.

Rationalization

Making excuses to justify behavior.

Reaction formation

Acting opposite of true feelings.

Regression

Returning to immature behaviors under stress.

Repression

Pushing disturbing thoughts out of awareness.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into acceptable behavior.

Projective tests

Personality tests using ambiguous stimuli.

Unconditional regard

Acceptance without judgment.

Humanistic theory

Focus on personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Self-actualization

Achieving one's full potential.

Social-cognitive theory

Personality shaped by interaction of thoughts, behavior, and environment.

Reciprocal determinism

Mutual influence between person, behavior, and environment.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one's ability to succeed.

Self-esteem

Overall sense of self-worth.

Self-concept

How a person views themselves.

Trait theory

Personality described as stable characteristics.

Big 5 theory of personality

Model describing personality using five major traits.

Openness

Willingness to try new experiences.

Conscientiousness

Organization, responsibility, and dependability.

Extraversion

Sociability and energy level.

Agreeableness

Kindness, cooperation, and trust.

Emotional stability

Ability to remain calm and emotionally balanced.

Personality inventories

Questionnaires used to measure personality traits.

Factor analysis

Statistical method used to identify personality traits.

Drive-reduction theory

Motivation to reduce physical discomfort.

Homeostasis

Maintaining internal balance.

Arousal theory

Motivation to maintain an optimal level of alertness.

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point.

Self-determination theory

Motivation driven by autonomy, competence, and connection.

Intrinsic motivation

Doing something for enjoyment or interest.

Extrinsic motivation

Doing something for rewards or to avoid punishment.

Incentive theory

Motivation driven by rewards.

Instincts

Inborn patterns of behavior.

Lewin's motivational conflicts theory

Explains conflicts in decision-making.

Approach-approach conflict

Choosing between two desirable options.

Approach-avoidance conflict

A single option has both positive and negative aspects.

Avoidance-avoidance conflict

Choosing between two undesirable options.

Sensation seeking theory

Desire for excitement and stimulation.

Experience seeking

Desire for new and varied experiences.

Thrill or adventure seeking

Desire for excitement and risk.

Disinhibition

Reduced restraint over behavior.