Introduction to Social Psychology Chapter 1

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the lecture on Social Psychology.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of individuals in social situations.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The failure to recognize the importance of situational influences on behavior, leading to an overemphasis on dispositions or personality traits.

Channel Factors

Situational circumstances that appear unimportant but can significantly influence behavior, either facilitating or impeding it.

Automatic Processing

A fast, effortless cognitive process that occurs without conscious thought, usually the default mode of perception.

Controlled Processing

A slower, deliberative cognitive process that requires conscious thought, motivation, and ability.

Gestalt Psychology

A theory that suggests people interpret objects by active, often unconscious, interpretation of what they represent as a whole.

Schema

A knowledge structure consisting of an organized body of stored information that helps us understand and predict how to behave in different situations.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand others' mental states, beliefs, desires, and intentions, enabling anticipation of people's responses.

Human Universals

Behaviors and institutions that are common or nearly common across human societies, such as living in families or experiencing basic emotions.

Cultural Differences

Variations in the expression of human universals due to differing beliefs, values, and social practices across cultures.