Psychology: Social

Attribution Theory

the theory that we explain someones behavior by crediting either the situation or the person disposition.

Fundamental attribution error

the tendency for an observer, when analyzing others behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition.

Self-serving bias

a mistake in which we tend to take credit for our success and try to ‘explain away’ our failures on environmental variables rather than taking responsibility.

False-consensus effect

a mistake in which we tend to interpret our behavior or beliefs as ‘the norm’ or common

Confirmation bias

a mistake in which we interpret new information as confirmation of our own existing beliefs.

Halo effect

a mistake in which we take a small piece of information to make an overall judgement about someone(typically appearance)

Attitude

feelings that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events

Central route persuasion

attitude change path in which interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts (people focus on rationale and facts)

Peripheral route

attitude change path in which people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speakers attractiveness

Foot-in-the-door phenomenon

the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request

Role

a specific social position that comes with a set of expectations defining how those in position ought to behave.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory(Leon Festinger)

the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent.

Conformity

adjusting ones behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Normative social influence (Stanley Milgram)

influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disaproval.

Informational social influence

influence resulting from ones willingness to accept others options about reality.

The Lemming Effect

a phenemon where in crowds of people exhibit a certain behavior for no reason other than the fact that a majority of their peers do.

Social facilitation

stronger responses on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others

Social loafing

the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts towards attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.

Deindividuation

the loss of self awareness and self restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal

Group polarization

the enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group

Groupthink (Irving Janis)

the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives

Diffusion of Responsibility

phenomenon where a person is less likely to take responsiblity for a action or inaction when bystanders are present

Cultural norms

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior

Minority influence

that 1-2 individuals who unswervingly hold their position and maintain a high level of self confidence can become so influential that they sway public opinion

Prejudice

an unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members. Generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action

Stereotypes

a generalized belief about a group of people

Discrimination

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members

In-groups

“US”-people with whom we share a common identity

Outgroups

“Them”- those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup

Ingroup bias

the tendency to favor our own group

Scapegoat theory

the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame

Other race effect (also called cross race effect and own race bias)

the tendency to recall faces of ones own race more accurately than faces of others

Just-world phenomenon

the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Frustration-aggression principle

the principle that frustration- the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal- creates anger, which can generate aggression

Mere-exposure effect

the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them

Reward theory of attraction

we like those whose behavior is rewarding to us and we tend to continue relationships that offer more rewards than losses

Passionate love

an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.

Companionate love

the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined

Altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others; behavior that benefits someone else, at the cost of the provider

Bystander effect

the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present

Social exchange theory

the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize cost - people get out what they put in

Reciprocity norm

an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them

Social responsibility norm

an expectation that people will help those dependent upon them

Conflict

a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas

Social trap

a situation in which conflicting partys by each rationally pursuing their self interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior (non-zero sum matrix)

Mirror image perceptions

mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and agressive

Self fulfilling prophecy

a belief that leads to its own fufillment

Subordinate goals

shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation