Chapter 12 – Social Psychology Concepts

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering all major terms from Chapter 12 lecture notes on social psychology.

Outgroup homogeneity effect

Tendency to view members of an out-group as less varied than members of one’s in-group.

Social identity theory

Idea that people define themselves by group membership and feel pride in belonging to that social category.

Ingroup favoritism

Evaluating and privileging in-group members more positively than out-group members.

Group polarization

Process by which a group’s initial attitudes become more extreme over time.

Groupthink

Faulty decision-making that prioritizes group cohesion over realistic appraisal, especially under pressure or threat.

Social facilitation

Enhanced performance in the presence of others.

Social loafing

Working less hard in a group than when working alone.

Deindividuation

State of reduced individuality, self-awareness, and adherence to personal standards when part of a group.

Conformity

Altering behaviors or opinions to match those of others or meet their expectations.

Normative influence

Conforming to fit in and be accepted by a group.

Informational influence

Conforming because one believes others’ behavior represents the correct response.

Social norms

Expected standards of conduct that guide behavior.

Obedience

Following the orders of an authority figure.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another.

Prosocial behaviors

Actions that benefit others, such as helping or doing favors.

Altruism

Providing help with no apparent reward to oneself.

Inclusive fitness

Evolutionary explanation for altruism focusing on passing on shared genes (e.g., kin selection) rather than individual survival.

Bystander intervention effect

Failure to help a person in need when other observers are present.

Attitudes

Evaluations of people, objects, events, or ideas.

Mere exposure effect

Greater exposure to a stimulus increases liking for it.

Explicit attitudes

Attitudes a person can consciously report.

Implicit attitudes

Unconscious attitudes influencing feelings and behavior.

Persuasion

Active, conscious effort to change an attitude through a message.

Elaboration likelihood model

Theory that persuasion occurs via a central route (careful processing) or a peripheral route (surface cues).

Compliance

Agreeing to do what is requested by others.

Nonverbal behavior

Facial expressions, gestures, and movements used to communicate without words.

Attributions

Explanations for why events or actions occur.

Personal attributions

Explaining behavior by referring to internal traits, moods, abilities, or efforts.

Situational attributions

Explaining behavior by referring to external circumstances such as weather or luck.

Fundamental attribution error

Overemphasizing personality traits and underestimating situational factors when explaining others’ behavior.

Actor/observer discrepancy

Attributing one’s own actions to situations but others’ actions to dispositions.

Prejudice

Negative feelings, opinions, or beliefs toward people based on their group.

Discrimination

Differential treatment of people due to prejudice against their group.

Modern racism

Subtle prejudice that coexists with the outward rejection of racist beliefs.

Stereotype threat

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one’s group, which impairs performance.

“What is beautiful is good” stereotype

Belief that attractive people possess superior qualities in most domains.

Passionate love

State of intense longing and desire for another person.

Companionate love

Strong commitment based on friendship, trust, respect, and intimacy.