CHAPTER 6 & 7 JACARANDA PSYCHOLOGY KEY TERMS

PERSON PERCEPTION

Refers to the mental processes we use to think about and evaluate other people, whether they are friends, peers, acquaintances, family or strangers, is a common and vital part of our life as social beings.

For example, wearing a suit might lead you to perceive someone as professional, while wearing athletic clothes might suggest a more casual personality.

ATTRIBUTION

To identifies a source or cause of something. We make attributions to arrive at explanations.

For example, if we hear that Mario has lost his job because he failed to let his team leader know that he was not going to work for a week, we may think it was typical as he was always unreliable and irresponsible. We are deciding that the cause of Mario’s behaviour has something to do with him and therefore attributed it to internal, personal or dispositional factors.

ATTITUDE

Refers to reactions to certain questions, ideas etc. reflect your likes and dislikes about objects, people, groups, events and issues. These reactions are what psychologists generally call attitudes. This definition indicates that we can form attitudes towards anything.

For example, Positive attitude towards recycling: Affective: Feeling good about contributing to environmental protection. Behavioural: Regularly recycling household items. Cognitive: Believing that recycling is beneficial for the environment.

STEREOTYPE

A generalisation about the personal characteristics of the members of a social group. The characteristics are attributed to people on the basis of their group membership and are therefore the product of social categorisation process whereby we sort people into particular social groups.

For example, ‘Girls wear too much make-up’, ‘boys are insensitive’, ‘toddlers throw tantrums when they don’t get what they want’, ‘adolescents are rebellious’, ‘old people are set in their ways’ are all examples of stereotypes.

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

An unpleasant psychological state that occurs when people become aware that there is inconsistency among their various beliefs, attitudes or other ‘cognitions’, or, that their behaviour conflicts with their cognitions.

For example, dissonance is likely to be experienced by someone when their behaviour is different from the way they believe they should behave. A student who believes cheating is wrong but does so on a test is likely to experience cognitive dissonance, as will people who continue to smoke even though they know that smoking is harmful to their health.

COGNITIVE BIAS

A systematic error of judgment and faulty decision-making. Essentially, it is a distorted or mistaken way of thinking that usually leads to inaccurate or unreasonable conclusions.

For example, the stereotype that women are less competent or less committed to their jobs, leading to discriminatory behaviours.

HEURISTIC

Is a strategy for solving a problem or making a decision that is based on experience with similar types of problems but cannot guarantee a correct outcome.

For example, a heuristic learnt through experience in playing classic Monopoly is to purchase as many properties as possible, particularly those that enable hotel rental payments.

PREJUDICE

The term prejudice literally means ‘prejudgment’. Because prejudice involves a judgment, it is usually considered to be an attitude, but specifically one for which the focus is people.

For example, Judging or treating someone negatively based on their race or ethnicity. For instance, assuming someone is dangerous or less intelligent because of their skin colour.

DISCRIMINATION

Takes place when a person or a social group is treated differently than others. The treatment may involve positive or negative behaviour. Typically a result of prejudice.

For example, refusing to hire someone due to their race, age, or gender; making offensive remarks based on someone's background; or creating a hostile work environment through harassment are all types of discrimination.

STIGMA

A set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something.

For example, using terms like "crazy," "insane," or "psycho" to describe someone with a mental health condition.

CONFORMITY

The tendency for an individual to align their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours with those of the people around them.

For example, following fashion trends, using certain popular slang, laughing at a joke when it isn’t funny etc.

OBEDIENCE

The act of following commands or instructions given by an authority figure or adhering to rules, norms, or laws.

For example, following traffic laws (like stopping at a red light), a child listening to their parents, or an employee following their manager's instructions.

ANTI-CONFORMITY

A deliberate and active rejection of social norms and expectations.

For example, political activism against government policies, choosing alternative lifestyles, or publicly challenging established social norms.

SOCIAL COMPARISON

The process where individuals evaluate their own qualities, abilities, and opinions by comparing themselves to others.

For example, comparing one's opinions, abilities, or personal attributes to those of others

SOCIAL GROUP

Two or more individuals who interact with each other, share similar characteristics, and have a sense of unity or belonging.

For example, families, friendship groups, work colleagues, sports teams, and religious congregations etc.