Social Thinking and Social Influence Flashcards

Flashcards on Social Thinking and Social Influence

Attribution

A conclusion about the cause of an observed behavior/event.

Attribution Theory

We explain others’ behavior with two types of attributions: Situational Attribution (factors outside the person), or Dispositional Attribution (the person’s stable traits).

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency, when analyzing others’ behavior, to overestimate the influence of personal traits and underestimate the effects of the situation.

Attitude

Feelings, ideas, and beliefs that affect how we approach and react to other people, objects, and events.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

The tendency to be more likely to agree to a large request after agreeing to a small one.

Cognitive Dissonance

When our actions are not in harmony with our attitudes.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

The observation that we tend to resolve this dissonance by changing our attitudes to fit our actions.

Conformity

Adjusting our behavior or thinking to fit in with a group standard.

Normative Social Influence

Going along with others in pursuit of social approval or belonging.

Informational Social Influence

Going along with others because their ideas and behavior make sense.

Social Facilitation

The tendency for an individual's performance to intensify when they are observed by others.

Social Loafing

The tendency of people in a group to show less effort when not held individually accountable.

Deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint when in a group that involves anonymity and arousal.

Group Polarization

When people of similar views form a group together, discussion within the group makes their views more extreme.

Group Think

In pursuit of social harmony, groups will make decisions without an open exchange of ideas.

Prejudice

An unjustified (usually negative) attitude toward a group (and its members).

Discrimination

Unjustified behavior selectively applied to members of a group.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group, applied to every member of a group.

In-group bias

Favoring one’s own group, misjudging other groups, and quickly categorizing strangers.

Scapegoat Theory

The observation that, when bad things happen, prejudice offers an outlet for anger by finding someone to blame.

Aggression

Behavior with the intent of harming another person.

Frustration-Aggression Principle

After repeated frustrating events, anger can build, and find a target.

Altruism

Unselfish regard for the welfare of other people.

Bystander Effect

Fewer people help when others are available.

Utilitarianism

Seeking the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Conflict

A perceived incompatibility in goals, ideas, and actions between people or groups.

Social Traps

Situations in which pursuing self-interest makes things worse for everyone.

Mirror Image Perceptions

Both sides assuming the worst in the other person.

Contact (in peacemaking)

Exposure and interaction leading to familiarity, acceptance, and connection.

Cooperation (in peacemaking)

Finding shared goals, not just focusing on the incompatible goals.

Conciliation (in peacemaking)

Gestures that reduce tension by showing intention to build alliances rather than winning conflicts.

Physical Attractiveness

The degree to which a person's physical features are considered aesthetically pleasing or beautiful.

Passionate Love

A state of strong attraction, interest, excitement, felt so strongly that people are absorbed in each other.

Compassionate Love

A deep, caring, affectionate attachment/commitment

Proximity

Working or living near the other person

Mere Exposure Effect

Merely seeing someone’s face and name makes them more likeable.