Unit 4 Psych (copy)

Attributions

Explanations individuals create for the causes of behaviors and events.

Dispositional Attributions

Attributing behavior to inherent qualities or traits of an individual.

Situational Attributions

Attributing behavior to external factors or circumstances.

Explanatory Style

How people habitually explain the causes of events, can be optimistic or pessimistic.

Actor/Observer Bias

The tendency to attribute one's own actions to situational factors and others' actions to dispositional factors.

Fundamental Attribution Error

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

Self-Serving Bias

Attributing successes to internal factors and failures to external factors to enhance self-esteem.

Locus of Control

An individual's belief about the extent of their control over events affecting their lives.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that one has significant control over their outcomes based on their actions.

External Locus of Control

Belief that outcomes are primarily influenced by luck or external forces.

Mere Exposure Effect

The tendency to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Expectations about a person influence behavior toward them, confirming those expectations.

Social Comparison Theory

The process of evaluating oneself in comparison to others to determine social and personal worth.

Relative Deprivation

The perception of being worse off compared to others, leading to feelings of discontent.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a particular group of people, often based on overgeneralization.

Prejudice

A preconceived opinion or attitude about an individual or group, often negative.

Discrimination

Behavior directed towards individuals based on prejudice, leading to unfair treatment.

Implicit Attitudes

Unconscious beliefs or feelings towards a group or individual that influence behavior.

Just-World Phenomenon

The belief that the world is fair and people get what they deserve.

Out-Group Homogeneity Bias

The tendency to view out-group members as more similar to each other than in-group members.

In-Group Bias

Preference and favoritism towards one's own group over out-groups.

Ethnocentrism

Belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.

Belief Perseverance

The tendency to maintain a belief even after evidence contradicts it.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to search for and interpret information that confirms preexisting beliefs.

Cognitive Dissonance

Psychological discomfort from holding conflicting cognitions, leading to attitude change.

Social Norms

Implicit or explicit rules governing behavior within a group or society.

Social Influence Theory

Examination of how individuals' thoughts and behaviors are shaped by others.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to group expectations to gain social approval or avoid disapproval.

Informational Social Influence

Conforming to others' behavior because they believe those others have accurate knowledge.

Persuasion

Changing someone's attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors through argument or appeal.

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

Model explaining two routes of persuasion: central and peripheral.

Central Route

Persuasion involving careful consideration of the information presented.

Peripheral Route

Persuasion influenced by superficial cues, leading to temporary attitude changes.

Halo Effect

Cognitive bias where perception of one positive trait influences perception of others.

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

A persuasion strategy where a small request is followed by a larger one.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

A persuasion strategy involving a large request followed by a smaller, reasonable request.

Conformity

Adjustment of behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with a group or social norm.

Obedience

Following orders or directives from an authority figure.

Individualism

Cultural orientation emphasizing personal goals, autonomy, and individual rights.

Collectivism

Cultural orientation prioritizing group goals and social harmony over individual desires.

Multiculturalism

Societal approach valuing coexistence of diverse cultural groups.

Group Polarization

Tendency for group discussions to amplify initial leanings of group members.

Groupthink

Desire for group consensus that overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Reduced personal accountability in groups where responsibility is shared.

Social Loafing

Tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and personal accountability in groups.

Social Facilitation

Tendency to perform better on tasks in the presence of others.

False Consensus Effect

Cognitive bias where individuals overestimate how much others share their beliefs.

Superordinate Goals

Objectives requiring cooperation between groups or individuals to achieve.

Social Traps

Situations where short-term gains lead to long-term negative consequences for the group.

Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychologists

Professionals applying psychological principles to improve workplace productivity and well-being.

Altruism

Prosocial behavior motivated by genuine concern for the welfare of others.

Social Reciprocity Norm

Expectation to respond similarly to what another person has provided.

Bystander Effect

Phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in emergencies when others are present.

Situational Variables

Environmental and contextual factors influencing prosocial behavior.

Attentional Variables

Factors relating to where an individual's focus is during a situation.