Introduction to Social Psychology

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on social psychology, providing definitions and explanations for foundational terms and principles.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.

Methods in Social Psychology

Systematic approaches to investigating human behavior and social interactions in controlled or natural environments.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate the influence of personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behaviors.

Channel Factors

Small situational influences that can lead to significant effects on behavior.

Construal

The interpretation and inferences made about a stimulus or situation, actively influencing behavior.

Stereotype

A generalized belief or assumption about a particular group of people.

Automatic Processing

Involuntary and unconscious thought processes often based on emotional responses.

Controlled Processing

Deliberate, conscious thought where individuals systematically evaluate information.

Correlational Methods

Techniques for measuring the relationship between two or more variables to determine how they influence each other.

Experimental Methods

Research techniques where participants are randomly assigned to different conditions to assess the impact of variables.

Reliability

The consistency of a test in measuring the variable of interest across different occasions.

Validity

The degree to which a test accurately measures what it intends to measure.

Naturalistic Observation

A research method involving the systematic observation of behavior in natural settings.

Survey Methods

Research techniques that involve asking representative samples of people about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Ethical Considerations in Research

Guidelines that ensure research is conducted ethically, including informed consent and the justification for deception.

Milgram Experiment

A famous study on obedience that demonstrated how ordinary people can commit harmful acts under authority pressure.