Social Psychology

Attitudes

Mental and emotional evaluations about objects or behaviors that fundamentally shape how we perceive and respond to the world.

Tri-Partite Model of Attitudes

A model explaining attitudes through three interconnected components: affect (feelings), cognition (beliefs), and behavior (tendencies).

Affect

The emotional reactions or feelings we have toward an object, person, or idea.

Cognition

The thoughts, beliefs, or knowledge we hold about an object, person, or issue.

Behavior

The predisposition to act or behave in a certain way toward an object or issue.

Principle of Compatibility

An attitude is more likely to predict behavior if both are measured at the same level of specificity.

Social Psychology

The study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

Self-Report

A method of measuring attitudes by asking individuals to disclose their beliefs and feelings.

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

A reaction-time measure designed to detect implicit attitudes that people may be unaware of or unwilling to express.

Prejudice

Negative feelings or attitudes toward a group of people.

Stereotype

A simplified and often exaggerated belief about a group of people.

Discrimination

Behavior directed against individuals or groups based on prejudiced attitudes.

Kernel of Truth Argument

The idea that stereotypes may have some basis in reality, but are often exaggerated.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When expectations about a person or situation cause them to behave in ways that align with those expectations.

Aggression

Any behavior intended to harm another individual, including physical and psychological forms.

Bystander Effect

The tendency for individuals to be less likely to help a victim when other people are present.

Prosocial Behavior

Voluntary actions intended to benefit or help another person or group.

Reciprocation Principle

The social norm that encourages people to return favors or acts of kindness.

Social Proof

The tendency for people to look to others for cues on how to behave in uncertain situations.

Obedience

Changing behavior in response to a command by an authority figure.

Attribution Theory

The process of inferring the causes of behavior, distinguishing between internal and external attributions.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to attribute other people's behaviors to their character rather than to situational factors.

Actor-Observer Bias

The tendency to attribute our own behaviors to external factors while attributing others' behaviors to internal factors.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or attitudes.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making processes.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

A theory of persuasion that identifies two routes through which persuasive messages can lead to attitude change.

Micro-Expressions

Brief and involuntary facial expressions that reveal true emotions.

Non-Verbal Communication

Any form of communication that does not use words, including body language, facial expressions, and tone.

Positive Illusions

The tendency to see oneself in overly favorable terms, often involving optimistic beliefs about one's abilities.

Self-Esteem

An individual's evaluation of their own worth or value.

Comparative Analysis

The process of comparing oneself to others to evaluate one's own characteristics or success.

Sociological Perspective on Self

The idea that individual identity is shaped by social circumstances and societal influences.

Evolutionary Perspective on Prosocial Behavior

The view that altruistic behavior may have developed as a strategy for ensuring the survival of one's genes.

Self-Concept Confusion

A theory suggesting that individuals with low self-esteem may have unclear or distorted perceptions of themselves.

Algebraic Model of Impression Formation

A model suggesting that impressions are formed by averaging or summing reactions to individual traits.

Configurational Model

A model indicating that impression formation is holistic, with the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

Schemas

Cognitive frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information.

Cognitive Bias

Systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Cultural Influences on Non-Verbal Behavior

Variations in non-verbal communication practices across different cultures.

Media Influence on Stereotypes

The way media representations shape societal stereotypes and prejudices.

Social Identity Theory

The theory that individuals derive a sense of identity from their group memberships.

Attitude-Behavior Relationship

The connection between a person's attitudes and their subsequent behaviors.

Positive Behavior Change Strategies

Techniques used to influence individuals to adopt helpful behaviors.

Conflict Resolution Skills

Techniques that facilitate the peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals or groups.

Emotional Regulation

The ability to manage and respond to an emotional experience effectively.

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

The theory that empathizing with others can lead to altruistic behavior.

Trust in Communication

The belief that the information being communicated is credible and reliable.

Situational Constraints

External factors that limit one's capacity to act in a particular way.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The phenomenon where individuals feel less obligated to act in a situation when others are present.

Public Recognition

The acknowledgment of individuals' altruistic actions as a means to encourage helping behavior.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failures to external factors.

Emotional Literacy

The ability to recognize and understand emotions in oneself and others.

Evolutionary Psychology

A theoretical perspective that explains mental traits as adaptations to environmental challenges.

Persuasion Techniques

Methods used to influence others' attitudes or behaviors, commonly employed in marketing and advertising.

Face-ism in Media

The tendency for media to portray men and women in ways that emphasize their facial features or body parts differently.

Narcissistic Rage

Aggression that arises when someone's self-image is threatened or challenged.

Vicarious Learning

Learning that occurs through observing the actions of others and the consequences of those actions.

Familial and Cultural Influences

The impact that family background and cultural context have on an individual's thoughts and behaviors.

Cognitive Complexity

The degree to which a person's perception and organization of their social world is intricate and nuanced.

Ambivalence in Attitudes

The existence of both positive and negative evaluations toward a given object or person.

Emotional Support

Providing empathy, care, and understanding to others in times of need.

Situational Norms

The socially accepted behaviors and attitudes that govern behavior in specific contexts.

Behavioral Beliefs

The beliefs individuals hold about the outcomes of performing a certain behavior.