Comprehensive Psychology: Social Influence, Group Dynamics, and Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance

A theory proposed by Leon Festinger, refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when holding two or more conflicting cognitions (e.g., beliefs, attitudes, behaviors).

Group Affiliation

Influence on Perception and Behavior.

Individualism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes personal goals, autonomy, and individual rights.

Collectivism

A cultural orientation that emphasizes group goals, interdependence, and the importance of social harmony.

Multiculturalism

A societal approach that values and promotes the coexistence of diverse cultural groups.

Group Polarization

The tendency for group discussions to amplify the initial leanings of group members, leading to more extreme positions.

Groupthink

A psychological phenomenon where the desire for group cohesion and consensus overrides realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Occurs when individuals in a group feel less personally accountable for their actions because responsibility is shared among all members.

Bystander Effect

A social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency when other people are present.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone.

Deindividuation

A psychological state where individuals lose self-awareness and personal accountability in groups, leading to behavior that is uncharacteristic and often uninhibited.

Social Facilitation

The tendency for people to perform tasks better when they are in the presence of others.

Social Inhibition

Performance on complex or new tasks may worsen under observation.

False Consensus Effect

A cognitive bias where individuals overestimate the extent to which their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors are shared by others.

Superordinate Goals

Objectives that require cooperation between groups or individuals, transcending individual differences and promoting unity.

Social Trap

Situations that occur when individuals or groups pursue short-term gains that ultimately lead to negative long-term consequences for the group as a whole.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The study of how people perform in the workplace.

I/O Psychologists

Apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace to improve productivity, work quality, and the well-being of employees.

Prosocial Behavior

Positive, constructive, helpful behavior.

Situational Variables

Environmental and contextual factors that influence prosocial behavior.

Attentional Variables

Relate to where an individual's focus is directed in a given situation.

Altruism

A form of prosocial behavior where an individual acts to benefit others without expecting any personal gain or reward.

Social Reciprocity Norm

A social rule that encourages individuals to repay, in kind, what another person has provided.

Social Responsibility Norm

Expectation that people, especially authority figures, help others even at a cost to them.

Social Norms

Implicit or explicit rules that govern the behavior of individuals within a group or society.

Roles

A set of expectations about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.

Social Influence Theory

Examines how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by the presence, opinions, and actions of others.

Normative Social Influence

Occurs when individuals conform to a group's expectations to gain social approval or avoid social disapproval.

Informational Social Influence

Occurs when individuals conform to the behavior of others because they believe those others have accurate knowledge.

Persuasion

Changing someone's attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors through argument, reasoning, or appeal.

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

Explains how people are persuaded and the different routes of persuasion.

Central Route to Persuasion

Uses facts, figures, and other information to enable the listener to carefully process the information.

Halo Effect

A cognitive bias where the perception of one positive trait influences the perception of other unrelated traits.

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

A persuasion strategy that involves getting a person to agree to a small initial request, followed by a larger request.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

A persuasion strategy that involves making a large, unreasonable request followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

Conformity

The tendency of individuals to adjust their behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with those of a group or social norm.

Obedience

Following orders or directives from an authority figure.