Chapter 11- Social Psychology

Identify the three main focuses of social psychology

think, influence, relate

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The influence of personal traits and characteristics on ones interpretation of ones behavior

How do we tend to explain other’s behavior compared with our own?

We tend to attribute others' behavior to their personality and traits, while attributing our own behavior to situational factors.

Define attitude

feelings that can influence how we respond to objects, people, and events

How does attitude and actions affect each other?

Attitudes can influence our actions, and conversely, our actions can shape our attitudes

What is the cognitive dissonance theory?

The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts clashes

What is the foot-in-the-door phenomenon?

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

What did the Solomona Asch’s study reveal about the power of social influence?

individuals often conform to group opinions, even when they contradict their own beliefs, highlighting the strong impact of social influence on behavior.

What did the Milgram Experiment reveal about the power of social influence?

that people are willing to obey authority figures, even to the extent of inflicting harm on others, demonstrating the profound impact of authority on behavior.

In the Milgram study what were the research participants told about the study?

They were informed that they were participating in a learning experiment and that their role was to administer shocks to a learner for incorrect answers.

Describe what the social influence studies teach us about ourselves?

These studies teach us that our behaviors, beliefs, and decisions can be significantly affected by the presence and expectations of others,

Discuss how much power we have as individuals?

how social contexts can shape our choices, often leading us to conform to group norms or authority.

What is social facilitation?

In the presence of others, improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks and worsenes performance on difficult tasks

What is social loafing?

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when pooling their efforts towrds attaining a common goal than when individually accountable

What is deindividuation?

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in a group situation that foster arousal and anonymity

Explain why we brefiend or fall in love with some people but not others?

Proximity, modern matchmaking, and physical attractiveness

What is passionate love?

Aroused state of intense positive absorption in another usually present at the beginning of romantic love

What is compassionate love?

A deep affectionate attachment

Define altruism

unselfish concern for the welfare of others

When are we most and least likely to help?

We are most likely to help when we are aware of an emergency, perceive the need for help, and feel responsible for providing it. Conversely, we are least likely to help when there are many bystanders present, as this can lead to diffusion of responsibility.

What is the bystander effect?

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

What is the mere exposure effect?

The tendency for repeated exposure to novel stimuli to increase our liking of them