psych unit 9

social psychology

the scientific study of how we think about

attribution theory

the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition.

fundamental attribution error

the tendency for observers

attitude

feelings

peripheral route persuasion

occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues

central route persuasion

occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts.

foot-in-the-door phenomenon

the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.

role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position

cognitive dissonance theory

the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. For example

conformity

adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

normative social influence

influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

informational social influence

influence resulting from one's willingness to accept others' opinions about reality.

social facilitation

improved performance on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others

social loafing

the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.

deindividuation

the loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.

group polarization

the enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group.

groupthink

the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.

culture

the enduring behaviors

norm

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. Norms prescribe "proper" behavior.

prejudice

an unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs

stereotype

a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people.

discrimination

in social psychology

just-world phenomenon

the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

ingroup

"Us"—people with whom we share a common identity.

outgroup

"Them"—those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup.

ingroup bias

the tendency to favor our own group.

scapegoat theory

the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.

other-race effect

the tendency to recall faces of one's own race more accurately than faces of other races. (Also called the cross-race effect and the own-race bias.)

aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

frustration-aggression principle

the principle that frustration—the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal—creates anger

social script

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations.

mere exposure effect

the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them.

passionate love

an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another

companionate love

the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.

equity

a condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.

self-disclosure

revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

bystander effect

the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.

social exchange theory

the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process

reciprocity norm

an expectation that people will help

social-responsibility norm

an expectation that people will help those needing their help.

conflict

a perceived incompatibility of actions

social trap

a situation in which the conflicting parties

mirror-image perceptions

mutual views often held by conflicting people

self-fulfilling prophecy

a belief that leads to its own fulfillment.

superordinate goals

shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.

GRIT

Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives