Unit 9 Social Psychology Study Guide 🌟 Key Theories & Concepts with Examples

Vocabulary flashcards covering key social psychology concepts from the lecture notes.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or behaviors.

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment

A classic study showing how assigned roles and situational forces can shape attitudes and behavior in a simulated prison environment.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Persuasion that relies on superficial cues (e.g., attractiveness, emotion) rather than strong arguments.

Central Route Persuasion

Persuasion through logical arguments and substantive evidence.

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE)

Tendency to attribute others' behavior to their personality rather than to situational factors.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to gain approval or avoid disapproval.

Informational Social Influence

Conforming because others are believed to be correct.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or thinking to align with group norms.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and personal accountability in group contexts, often leading to impulsive or antisocial behavior.

Groupthink

Desire for harmony within a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.

Group Polarization

Group discussions strengthen the group's prevailing opinions, making them more extreme.

Social Loafing

Tendency to exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on simple tasks in the presence of others.

Just-World Phenomenon

Belief that the world is fair and people get what they deserve, often blaming victims.

Ingroup Bias

Favoring one's own group over others.

Outgroup

A group perceived as different or separate from one's own group.

Other-Race Effect

Better recall of faces of one’s own race than of faces from other races.

Scapegoat Theory

Prejudice serves as an outlet for frustration by blaming a target group.

Stereotypes

Overgeneralized beliefs about a group.

Implicit Attitudes

Unconscious beliefs that influence judgments and behavior.

Explicit Attitudes

Conscious beliefs about a person or group.

Discrimination

Unjustified negative treatment of a group.

Aggression

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Frustration creates anger, which can lead to aggression.

Modeling (of Aggression)

Learning aggression by observing others.

Social Scripts

Culturally modeled guides for behavior in social situations.

Equity

A condition where rewards are proportional to contributions.

Self-Disclosure

Revealing intimate details about oneself.

Companionate Love

Deep affectionate attachment that endures beyond passionate love.

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure increases liking.

Proximity

Geographic nearness; a predictor of relationship formation.

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals that override differences and require cooperation.

Social Exchange Theory

Helping behavior is guided by a cost-benefit analysis.

Reciprocity Norm

Expectation to return help to those who help us.

Social-Responsibility Norm

Expectation to help those who depend on us.

Bystander Effect

Tendency for individuals to be less likely to help when others are present.

Altruism

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment through one’s actions.