Introduction to Social Psychology: The Social Self-Chapter 3

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from the lecture on 'The Social Self' in Social Psychology, designed to help students review important topics and prepare for their exam.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, predictions, and tested hypotheses.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, often formulated as a testable statement.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in an experiment, which is affected by the independent variable.

Independent Variable

The variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Internal Validity

The degree to which an experiment accurately establishes a cause-and-effect relationship.

External Validity

The extent to which study results can be generalized to other contexts, populations, or time periods.

Random Assignment

Assigning participants to experimental and control groups randomly, which helps ensure that each group is similar before any treatment.

Observational Research

Research that involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

Experimental Research

Research conducted to determine causal relationships by manipulating variables and observing effects.

Correlational Research

Research that examines the relationship between two or more variables without manipulation.

Spurious Correlation

A false relationship between two variables where both are influenced by a third variable.

Positive Correlation

A relationship between two variables in which both increase or both decrease together.

Negative Correlation

A relationship in which one variable increases while the other decreases.

Reliability

The degree to which a measurement is consistent over time.

Measurement Validity

The degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overemphasize personality traits and underestimate situational factors in explaining others' behaviors.

Controlled Processing

A deliberate, conscious thought process.

Self-Schema

A cognitive structure that represents a person's beliefs and feelings about themselves.

Looking Glass Self

The concept that a person's self grows out of society's interpersonal interactions and the perceptions of others.

Self-Esteem

The overall positive or negative evaluation that an individual has of themselves.

Self-Discrepancy Theory

Theory positing that individuals compare their actual self with their ideal and ought selves to gauge emotional outcomes.

Self-Presentation

The process of presenting oneself to others in a way that is consistent with personal hopes and aspirations.