psych exam 3 defs from book

cannon-bard theory of emotion

the theory that emotions such as fear or happiness occur simultaneously with their physiological components

display rules

the unwritten expectations people have regarding when it is appropriate to show a certain emotion

emotion

a psychological experience involving three components: (1) subjective thoughts and experiences, (2), accompanying patterns of physical arousal, and (3) characteristic behavioral expressions

emotional dialects

variations across cultures in how core emotions are expressed

facial feedback hypothesis

a prediction that if emotional expressions influence subjective emotional experiences, then the act of forming a facial expression should elicit the specific corresponding emotion

James-lange theory of emotion

the theory that our physiological reactions to stimuli (eg racing heart) precede and give rise to an emotional experience (eg fear)

schachter’s two-factor theory of emotion

a prediction that patterns of physical arousal and the cognitive labels we attach to them form the basis of our emotional experiences

deliberative thought

an intentional and effortful form of thinking

explicit prejudice

the situation in which an individual confesses to or openly demonstrates his or her stereotypes

external attribution

the situation in which the observer explains the actor’s behavior as a result of the social context

fundamental attribution error

the tendency to make internal attributions for others while ignoring external attributions

implicit prejudice

forms of stereotyping and prejudice that are kept silent either intentionally or because the individual is unaware of their own prejudice

in-group bias 

attribution of positive qualities to the social groups we belong to (ie our in-group)

internal attribution

the observer’s explanation of the actor’s behavior as some intrinsic quality of the individual

intuitive thought

quick, effortless, automatic thinking

outgrip

social groups to which we do not belong 

person perception

the processes by which individuals form judgements and categorize other people

prejudice

an attitude that relies on the beliefs found in stereotypes, including emotions and value and judgements.

scapegoating 

the tendency to misplace and exaggerate blame based on stereotypes

schemas

a cluster of knowledge that constitutes one’s knowledge about events, objects, and ideas

self-fulfilling prophecy

the situation in which a first impression affects the observer’s behavior, and as a result, the first impression comes true

self-serving bias 

using internal attributions to take credit for success, while using external attributions to avoid responsibility for failures or mistakes 

stereotype

a set of beliefs about a group of people

thin slices

a research technique in which a researcher presents a very short video tape or still photo of an individual, which participants then use to make judgements of personal qualities

aggression

any behavior that is intended to hurt or harm an individual

altruism 

behavior that places the helper at significant risk or certain harm for the benefit of another 

bystander effect

the situation in which, as an individual looks around at other bystanders and notices that no one else is helping, the bystander freezes

cultures of honor

social groups that expect individuals to protect themselves and their property by whatever means necessary, including violence

empathy

the emotional concern that one individual has for another’s wellbeing 

frustration-aggression hypothesis

a prediction that aggression will occur when an individual is prevented from achieving a goal and experiences frustration as a result

kin selection

the explanation that altruistic behavior is most likely to occur when it confers a genetic benefit to the individual

mirror neurons

specialized nerve cells that respond to the actions and expressions of others and are correlated with the ability to understand another’s intentions and emotions

reciprocal altruism 

helping behavior that is extended to nongenetic relatives, with the possibility that the favor may be later returned 

social responsibility norm

the idea that the value of helping goes beyond the benefits an individual might receive, and than individuals who cannot help themselves require special help

social exchange theory

an approach that treats helping much like a financial arrangement between individuals and society; before an individual acts, she will consider the costs and benefits of helping