Social Thinking/Influence

What is attribution theory?

Attribution theory is a framework for understanding how individuals explain the causes of behavior and events, typically distinguishing between internal (dispositional) and external (situational) attributions.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and ignore situational factors when judging others' behaviors.

What is an attitude?

An attitude is a psychological tendency expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor.

What is the foot-in-the-door phenomenon?

The foot-in-the-door phenomenon is a compliance tactic that involves getting a person to agree to a large request by first setting them up with a smaller request.

What is a role in social psychology?

A role is a set of expectations about how people in a given social position should behave, influencing their actions and interactions.

What is cognitive dissonance theory?

Cognitive dissonance theory posits that individuals experience psychological discomfort when holding two or more conflicting beliefs, leading them to change their attitudes or beliefs to reduce the dissonance.

What is peripheral route persuasion?

Peripheral route persuasion is a method of influencing attitudes that relies on superficial cues rather than the strength of the arguments, such as the attractiveness of the speaker.

What is central route persuasion?

Central route persuasion involves changing attitudes through thoughtful consideration of the arguments presented, focusing on the content and quality of the message.

What are norms in social psychology?

Norms are unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a group, influencing how individuals act in social situations.

What is culture in social psychology?

Culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices of a group that shape individual behavior and social interactions.

What is a tight culture?

A tight culture is characterized by strong social norms and low tolerance for deviance, leading to conformity among its members.

What is a loose culture?

A loose culture has weaker social norms and greater tolerance for deviance, allowing for more individual freedom and diversity of behavior.

What is conformity?

Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms, often influenced by social pressure.

What is normative social influence?

Normative social influence is the influence of other people that leads us to conform in order to be liked and accepted by them.

What is informational social influence?

Informational social influence occurs when individuals conform to group behavior because they believe the group is correct and provides accurate information.

What is social facilitation?

Social facilitation is the tendency for individuals to perform better on simple tasks when in the presence of others compared to when alone.

What is social loafing?

Social loafing is the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.

What is deindividuation?

Deindividuation is a psychological state characterized by a loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in group situations, often leading to impulsive and deviant behavior.

What is group polarization?

Group polarization is the tendency for group discussion to enhance the group's prevailing attitudes, leading to more extreme positions.

What is groupthink?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony or conformity in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.