Unit 4.5 psych

Fundamental Attribution Error (Actor-Observer Bias)

The tendency for observers to underestimate situational factors and overestimate personal disposition when analyzing another’s behavior Example Assuming a coworker is mean because of their personality when in reality they had a bad morning

Attitude

Feelings often influenced by beliefs that predispose us to respond in a certain way to objects people and events

Person Perception

How we form perceptions of others and ourselves through behavior

Attribution Theory

Explains behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition

Central Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion where interested people focus on arguments and respond with favorable thoughts

Peripheral Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion influenced by incidental cues such as a speaker’s attractiveness

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

The tendency for people who agree to a small request to later comply with a larger request

Face-in-the-Door Phenomenon

The tendency for people to refuse large requests but agree to smaller more manageable ones

Role

A set of norms defining how someone in a particular social position should behave

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment

A study where students played the roles of prisoners and guards The guards became cruel leading to the experiment ending early Demonstrated the power of roles in shaping behavior

Milgram’s Obedience Study

Showed that people obey authority figures even when it goes against their morals Participants thought they were delivering painful shocks to others

Asch’s Conformity Experiment

Demonstrated that individuals conform to group opinions even when they are clearly incorrect

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

The discomfort felt when holding conflicting thoughts leading people to change their attitudes to reduce tension

Conformity

Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to match a group standard

Solomon Asch

Conducted conformity studies including the line study

Stanley Milgram

Studied obedience to authority using a shock experiment

Philip Zimbardo

Conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment to study the power of social roles

Normative Social Influence

Influence based on a desire for approval or fear of disapproval

Informational Social Influence

Influence based on accepting others’ opinions about reality Example Participants in Milgram’s experiment following instructions from an authority figure

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others Example People reel fishing lines faster when competing

Social Loafing

The tendency to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone

Deindividuation

Losing self-awareness and self-restraint in group settings that foster anonymity and arousal Example UConn students destroying campus after a basketball win

Group Polarization

Group discussions strengthen the prevailing views of the group Example A discussion among liberals leads to stronger liberal beliefs

Groupthink

A group’s desire for harmony leads to poor decision-making by suppressing dissenting viewpoints

Prejudice

An unjustifiable negative attitude toward a group often based on stereotypes

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group of people

Discrimination

Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group or its members

Just-World Phenomenon

The belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get Example Believing that bad things happen to bad people

In-Group

Us people we share a common identity with

Out-Group

Them people outside our group

In-Group Bias

Favoring one’s own group over others

Scapegoat Theory

Prejudice as an outlet for anger by blaming others

Other-Race Effect

The tendency to recall faces of one’s own race more accurately than those of other races

Ethnocentrism

Belief in the superiority of one’s ethnic group or nation

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals that require cooperation helping groups overcome differences Example The Robbers Cave Experiment

Aggression

Physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone

Relational Aggression

Behavior meant to harm someone’s relationships or social standing

Causes of Aggression

Genetics testosterone alcohol

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Frustration leads to anger which can cause aggression

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure to something increases our liking of it Example Developing a crush on someone you see often

What Attracts Humans

Proximity mere exposure effect physical attractiveness similarity opposites don’t attract

Passionate Love

Intense emotional love usually at the beginning of a relationship

Companionate Love

Deep affectionate attachment that develops over time

Equity

A condition where people give and receive equally in relationships

Self-Disclosure

Sharing personal intimate details with others

Altruism

Selfless concern for others’ well-being

Bystander Effect

People are less likely to help when others are present

Social Exchange Theory

People help others when the benefits outweigh the costs

Reciprocity Norm

Expectation that we help those who have helped us

Social-Responsibility Norm

Expectation that people help those dependent on them Example Parents caring for children

Conflict

A perceived incompatibility between actions goals or ideas

Social Trap

When individuals act for short-term personal gain but harm the group in the long run Example Overfishing leads to a depleted fish population

Mirror-Image Perceptions

When two conflicting groups see each other as evil or aggressive while viewing themselves as good Example Avengers vs Thanos

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When a belief leads to its own fulfillment Example Thinking studying doesn’t help not studying and then failing the test

Belief Perseverance

Clinging to a belief even after it has been discredited