PSY 103: Introduction to Social Psychology

Comprehensive question-and-answer practice flashcards covering introductory concepts, scientific values, theoretical perspectives, milestones in history, factors influencing thought and behavior, and research ethics in PSY 103: Social Psychology.

What is the working definition of social psychology according to Gordon Allport (1968)?

The scientific study of how individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

How did Fisher (1982) define social psychology?

The scientific study of how behavior is influenced by and in turn influences the actions of others.

What are the four core values of scientific methods in social psychology?

Accuracy, Objectivity, Skepticism, and Open-mindedness.

How is the scientific core value of 'Accuracy' defined?

Gathering information in a precise, error-free manner.

How is the scientific core value of 'Objectivity' defined?

Evaluating information as free from bias as possible.

How is the scientific core value of 'Skepticism' defined?

Accepting findings only when verified.

How is the scientific core value of 'Open-mindedness' defined?

Changing views when new evidence suggests inaccuracy.

What three major areas constitute the study of social psychology?

Social thinking, Social influence, and Social relations.

What key topics fall under the domain of 'Social thinking'?

How we perceive ourselves and others, what we believe, judgments we make, and our attitudes.

What key topics fall under the domain of 'Social influence'?

Culture, pressures to conform, persuasion, and groups of people.

What key topics fall under the domain of 'Social relations'?

Prejudice, aggression, attraction and intimacy, and helping.

What are the five primary factors that influence individual behavior and thought?

1. Behavior & Characteristics of Others
2. Cognitive Processes
3. Environmental Variables
4. Cultural Context
5. Biological Factors

Which factor shaping social behavior is illustrated by feeling more aggressive during a heatwave?

Environmental Variables (influence of the physical world on behavior).

Which factor shaping social behavior is demonstrated by bowing when greeting someone in Japan?

Cultural Context (social norms and multicultural perspectives).

Which factor shaping social behavior is shown when you try to figure out why your friend seems upset?

Cognitive Processes (thoughts, judgments, and social cognition).

How does evolutionary psychology explain psychological traits and adaptations in human social behavior?

Psychological traits evolve through natural selection because they solved recurring survival and reproduction problems in human ancestral environments.

According to evolutionary psychology, what do physical traits such as symmetrical facial features and well-toned bodies signal?

They signal 'good genes' and health, which guide mate preferences.

What are the five fundamental motives and goals driving human social behavior?

1. To establish social ties
2. To understand ourselves and others
3. To gain and maintain status
4. To defend ourselves and those we value
5. To attract and retain mates

What is the core premise of person-situation interactions and the 'multiple selves' concept?

Different situations activate different parts of the self; individuals have different facets and roles, and people and situations mutually choose, change, and shape one another.

What milestone experiment was conducted by Norman Triplett in 1897?

The first social psychological experiment, which investigated social facilitation (how performance is influenced by the presence of others).

Who independently published the first social psychology textbooks in 1908?

William McDougall and E.H. Ross.

What was the significance of founding the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) in 1936?

It marked the formal recognition of social psychology as a field dedicated to addressing real-world social problems, such as prejudice and discrimination.

What major theory did Leon Festinger formulate in 1954?

Social Comparison Theory, explaining how individuals evaluate themselves by comparing with others.

What seminal work did Gordon Allport publish in 1954?

The Nature of Prejudice.

What theory did Leon Festinger propose in 1957?

The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance, explaining how individuals strive for internal consistency between beliefs and behaviors.

What was the key finding of Stanley Milgram's 1963 obedience studies?

Individuals showed a surprising willingness to obey authority figures and inflict harm, even when doing so conflicted with personal morals.

What model did John Darley and Bibb Latané present in 1968, and what concept did it explain?

The Bystander Intervention Model, which introduced the concept of diffusion of responsibility to explain why people often fail to help in emergencies.

What did Philip Zimbardo's 1970 Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrate?

The powerful influence of situational roles and social context over individual behavior, raising significant ethical concerns in research.

What contribution did Markus and Kitayama make to social psychology in 1991?

They showed how culture shapes the self.

What concept did Steele and Aronson introduce to social psychology in 1995?

Stereotype threat.

How does the Socio-Cultural perspective explain human behavior?

It explains behavior through the influence of larger social groups, social norms, and cultural traditions.

How does the Social Learning perspective explain behavior?

It focuses on past experiences, observation, imitation, rewards, and punishments as the primary drivers of behavior.

How does the Socio-Cognitive perspective explain behavior?

It focuses on mental processes such as attention, interpretation, judgment, and memory involved in social experiences.

What are the three core ethical principles in social research?

1. Respect for persons (informed consent)
2. Beneficence (minimize harm, maximize benefits)
3. Justice (fair participant selection)

Under what conditions is deception ethically permissible in social psychological research?

Only when necessary to avoid participant bias and capture natural behavior, provided no safer alternative exists and participants are fully debriefed afterward.

What is the primary function of debriefing in social psychological studies?

To explain the true purpose of the research, disclose any deception used, restore trust, and offer psychological support if distress occurred.

In research ethics, what is the distinction between anonymity and confidentiality?

Anonymity means no identifying information is collected or attached to the data, whereas confidentiality means participant identity is known to researchers but protected securely from public disclosure.

What consent procedure is required when conducting research on special or vulnerable populations such as minors?

Guardian or parental consent along with participant assent (the child's personal agreement).

What is the assigned main textbook for PSY 103?

Social Psychology by Robert A. Baron & Nyla R. Branscombe.