Ch 8: Social processes, attitudes, and behavior

social facilitation

describes the tendency of ppl to perform at a diff level based on the fact that others r around

deindividuation

loss of self-awareness in large groups, which can lead to drastic changes in behavior

bystander effect

describes the observation that when in a group individuals are less likely to respond to a person in need

peer pressure

refers to the social influence placed on individuals by others they consider equals

Group polarization

tendency toward making decisions in a group that are more extreme than the thoughts of the individual group members

groupthink

tendency for groups to make decisions based on ideas and solutions arise within the group without considering outside ideas. ethics may be disturbed as pressure is created to conform and remain loyal to the group

culture

describes the belief, ideas, behaviors, actions, and characteristics of a group or society of people

assimilation

the process by which a group or individual’s culture begins to melt into another culture

multiculturalism

refers to the encouragement of multiple cultures within a community to enhance diversity

subcultures

refer to a group of ppl within a culture that distinguish themselves from the primary culture to which they belong

socialization

the process of developing and spreading norms, customs, and beliefs

norms

are what determine the boundaries of acceptable behavior within society

agents of socialization

family, peers, school, religious affiliation, and other groups that promote socailization

stigma

extreme disapproval or dislike of a person based on perceived differences from the rest of society

deviance

refers to any violation of norms, rules, or expectations within a society

conformity

changing beliefs or behaviors in order to fit into a group or society.

compliance

occurs when individuals change their behavior based on the requests of others. methods of gaining compliance include foot in the door, door in the face technique, lowball techinque, and that’s-not-all technique, among others

obedience

a change in behavior based on command from someone seen as authority figure

attitudes

are tendencies toward expression of positive or negative feelings or evaluations of something

functional attitudes theory

states that there are four functional areas of attitudes that serve individuals in life: knowledge, ego expression, adaptability, and ego defense

learning theory

states that attitudes are developed thru forms of learning: direct contact, direct interaction, direct instruction, and conditioning

elaboration likelihood model

states that attitudes are formed and changed thru different routes of information processing based on the degree of elaboration (central route processing (Higher elaboration), peripheral route processing)

social cognitive theory

states that attitudes are formed thru observation of behavior , personal factors, and environment