Module 9: Social Psychology

Situational Attributions

Attributions that are external to the person, such as their expectations, rewards, or punishments.

Dispositional Attributions

Attributions that focus on the person themselves, such as their traits, preferences, or other personal qualities.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The assumption that people are in control of their own behavior.

Just World Hypothesis

The belief that people get the outcomes they deserve.

Implicit Theories of Personality

The inferences we make about what a person is really like and how they’re likely to behave in the future.

Out-Group Homogeneity Effect

The bias in the way that we think about other people.

Stereotype Threat

A phenomenon that influences performance on tests.

Actor-Observer Bias

The tendency to attribute others' behavior to dispositional factors while attributing our own behavior to situational factors.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to take credit for positive outcomes with dispositional attributions and blame negative outcomes on situational factors.

Locus of Control

One of the three main dimensions of attribution, reflecting whether outcomes are seen as internal or external.

Dehumanization

The process supported by euphemistic jargon, such as 'final solution' or 'collateral damage'.

Collectivist vs. Individualistic

Collectivist cultures value group goals over individual preferences, while individualistic cultures prioritize the latter.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The phenomenon where multiple bystanders lead to the belief that someone else will respond to an emergency.

De-Individuation

A state in which a person in a group loses self-awareness and individuality.