AP psych unit 4

social psychology

the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.

attribution theory

the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition.

Situational

external factors influencing behavior, such as environment or context.

Dispositional

internal factors or traits that influence behavior (personality or character)

self serving bias

do something well: give self credit, do bad: blame it on external factors

fundamental attribution theory

observers tend to overattribute the behaviors of others to their personality and under attribute them to the situation or context

explanatory styles

ways individuals interpret and explain events in their lives (Optimistic or pessimistic)

Optimistic

Positive

pessimistic

negative

Internal Locus of Control

actions are based on what we do, and efforts make a difference in the outcome

External Locus of Control

Efforts do not impact, and what happens is out of their control

Learned Helplessness

an individual feels unable to control or change a situation, often resulting from repeated failures or negative experiences.

Upward Social Comparison

Compare oneself to another person who is better off

Downward Social Comparison

Compare oneself to another person who is worse off

Relative Deprivation

someone has less of something than a comparison standard (standard can be how much someone expected to have, or how much other people have)

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a particular category of people

Prejudice

Preconceived judgement or opinion based on negative stereotypes

Discrimination

Behavior or action based on prejudice (Exclusion, denial of opportunity, or violence)

Explicit Attitudes or bias

Action, expressed directly, conscious

Implicit Attitudes or bias

thought, involuntary, subconscious

Just world phenomenon

The belief that people generally get what they deserve (the world is morally correct)

Multiculturalism

the presence of several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society

In group bias

favor and support individuals who belong in groups you identify with

out group bias

tendency to dislike or believe members of groups that you don’t identify with

Other Race effect (outgroup homogeneity bias)

believe that people in other groups are all alike

Ethnocentric

thinking your own culture is better than others

Cognitive dissonance theory

when someone holds two or more conflicting beliefs, or when their actions contradict their beliefs

Foot in the door phenomenon

small request initially made in order to get a person to later agree to a bigger request

Role

a role someone plays

Door in the face phenomenon

following an extravagant request with a reasonable one such that the subject complies

central route persuasion

influencing others with evidence and logic

Peripheral Route persuasion

influencing others through emotions, fears, desires, and associations

Halo effect

the tendency to let an overall impression of a person influence specific evaluations of their traits, such as assuming someone who is attractive is also intelligent.

Elaboration liklihood model

the more someone is impacted by a decision, the more they will think it over

Informational influence

conform to others because we believe they have accurate information

Normative influence

conform to others because we want them to like and accept us

Chameleon effect

the phenomenon where individuals unconsciously mimic the behavior or emotions of others in social situations.

research confederate

a person who is part of a study but acts as if they are a participant, helping the researcher manipulate the social situation.

obedience findings

Stanley Milgram’s studies on obedience showed that 65% of the participants were willing to administer the maximum shock voltage when instructed by an authority figure, highlighting the power of situational influences on behavior.

Social Facilitation

improved performance of tasks in the presence of others

Social Loafing

the tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone

deindividuation

the loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in groups, often leading to impulsive or deviant behavior.

group polarization

the tendency for group members to make more extreme decisions than they would usually make individually, the more they discuss issues with likeminded people

Group think

people tend to conform to group decisions to avoid feeling outcast, leading to errors in decision making

3 laws of attraction

Proximity (mere exposure effect), Physical attraction, similarity

Mere exposure effect

increased liking through repeated exposure to someone else (being around people a lot)

two factor theory

when someone has increased heart rate, sweating, or adrenaline, they are more aroused

Self fulfilling prophecy

when a person’s false belief or expectation influences their behavior, ultimately making that belief come true

bystander effect (diffusion of responsibility)

the more people available to help, the less guilt one feels (either to help or not to help)

Social debt (social reciprocity)

burden of unpaid social obligations within a personal relationship (Ex: it would look bad to not donate to homeless people, gain social approval by doing something good)

Social trap

conflict between short term self-interest and long-term group well being, where individuals pursue actions for immediate individual gain that ultimately harms the entire group or society

Altruism

doing good for others

Superordinate Goals

type of alturism where 2 opposing groups work together for the common good (republicans and democrats to end crime or poverty)

Collectivism

goals of a group and defining ones identity accordingly

Individualism

Ones own goals over the goals of a group (personal over group)

Situation variables

factors in the environment that can unintentionally affect the results of a study (noise, temperature, odors, lighting, etc.)

Burnout

ongoing state of feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and emotionally drained due to consistent stress in your work, family, or social situations

Industrial/organizational psychologist

phycology in the workplace

Disinhibition

a tendency to act impulsively without regard for the potential consequences, often seen in social situations.