Social Psych (Units 1-3)

Social Psychology

The scientific study of the way in which individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people.

Social Influence

The standards and norms we follow. (we do something because other people do it)

Hindsight Bias

The tendency to exaggerate, after learning an outcome; one’s ability to have “foreseen” how something turned out.

The Power of the Situation

The way we think, feel, and behave are often influenced not by internal personality characteristics, but by immediate, external forces that we may or may not be aware of.

Research Process

Research question → design study →collect data → analyze data → revise, replicate, report

Hypothesis

An explicit, testable prediction about the conditions under which an event will occur. (e.g.,”exposure to violence is associated with aggressive behaviors”)

Descriptive Research

To describe thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. (case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys)

Surveys

Goal is to describe a population by surveying a sample and infer about the population; involves only one variable.

Random Sampling/Selection

Everyone in the population that you are interested in studying has an equal chance of being in the study.

Variable

Something that changes or differs across individuals.

Conceptual Variable

The general, abstract variable in the hypothesis.

Operational Variable

The explicit, concrete way to measure or manipulate the variable in the hypothesis.

Correlational Research

To measure the relationship between two variables; can be used to study naturally occurring variables but cannot tell us about cause and effect. (arises from three possible casual relationships)

Positive Correlation

As one variable increases, the other also increases.

Negative Correlation

As one variable increases, the other decreases.

No Correlation

Changes in one variable are not related to changes in the other.

Experimental Research

To determine cause and effect relationships between variables. All other potential causes must be eliminated such that X is the only pausible cause of Y. (manipulation of independent variable, random assignment, experimental control)

Manipulation of Independent Variable

The presumed cause is known at the independent variable and the effect is know as the dependent variable.

Measuring a Variable

Researcher passively assesses existing state of the participant.

Manipulating a Variable

Researcher actively induces a particular state in the participant. (dividing participants into at least two groups or conditions)

Experimental Group

Receives treatment or experimental manipulation.

Control/Comparison Group

Receives a different or no treatment; necessary to eliminate natural changes as a potential cause of change in the dependent variable.

Random Assignment

Each participant in the experiment must have an equal chance of being in any of the conditions.

Confounds

Extraneous variables other than the IV that can cause observed changes in the DV.

Internal Validity

An experiment must demonstrate that the IV is the only cause for the observed changes in the DV.

External Validity

The generalizability of your study (can the results of your study be applied to other people and situations?)

Ethical Research

Consists of being reviewed by IRBs, informed consent, confidentiality, and debriefing.

Self-Concept

Thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge about who you are.

Self-Reference Effect

Faster processing and better memory of information related to our self.

Spotlight Effect

Believing that people are paying more attention to use than they really are.

Self-Perception Theory

Observing our own behavior to determine our thoughts and attitudes.

Instrinic Motivation

Behavior is driven by internal rewards. (personal interest)

Extrinsic Motivation

Behavior is driven by external rewards. (money or praise)

Overjustification Effect

When an external reward leads to extrinsic motivation for a behavior, reducing our intrinsic motivation for that behavior.

Social Comparison Theory

Comparing yourself with others in order to gain information about the self.

Distinctiveness Hypothesis

We highlight what is unique about ourselves.

Individualism

Values independence and autonomy. (individual needs are more important than group needs)

Collectivism

Values interdependence and social harmony. (group needs are more important than individual needs)

Dunning-Krueger Effect

A cognitive bias where people with low competence in a specific domain overestimate their abilities, believing they are more skilled than they actually are.

Affective Forecasting Failure

Overestimating the intensity and duration of our emotional reactions in the future.

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

Emotions are based on physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation of that arousal.

Misattribution of Arousal

When we mislabel the cause of a physiological reaction and experience the “wrong” emotion.

The Pleasure Paradox

When we wish to understand causes of positive events so we can predict and repeat them, but such understanding paradoxically reduces our pleasure.

Self-Awareness Theory

We notice the discrepancies between our current self and our ideals.

Self-Esteem

Attitudes or evaluations about oneself.

Three Motives of Self-Evaluation

Self-assessment, self-verification, and self-enhancement (the strongest motive).

Self-Serving Bias

Attributing success to oneself and failures to outside factors.

Unrealistic Optimism

The mistaken belief that we are more likely to experience positive outcomes and less likely to experience negative outcomes.

Above-Average Effect

Most people think they are above average. (unrealistic positive self-views)

Self-Handicapping

Creating an obstacle for oneself so that failure can be blamed on the obstacle, to avoid looking bad infront of others.

Implicit Egotism

The non-conscious preference for things related to ourselves.

Downward Social Comparisons

Comparing ourselves with people who are worse off.

Birging

Basking in reflecting glory of others.

Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model

We feel bad about ourselves when we are outperformed by someone who is close to us in a domain that is important to us. (performance, distance, and importance)

Self-Justification

Once we voluntarily choose to engage in a behavior, we have to justify that behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Conflicting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that lead to tension, discomfort, and arousal. (insufficient justification, difficult decision making, the amount of effort)

Fixed Mindset

The belief that intelligence and ability are innate and unchanging.

Growth Mindset

The belief that intelligence and ability come from hard work, grit, and perseverance.

Self-Presentation

How we manage the impression we make on ourselves and others.

Self-Monitoring

An individual difference in how closely we monitor our behaviors to suit the situation.