Social Psych Study Guide

Attribution Theory

A theory that describes how individuals explain the causes of behavior and events, distinguishing between internal and external factors.

External attribution

The inference that a person's behavior is due to situational or environmental factors.

Dispositional attribution/internal attribution

The inference that a person's behavior is due to personal factors such as traits, attitudes, or motives.

Fundamental attribution error

The tendency to overestimate the role of dispositional factors in others' behavior while underestimating situational influences.

Actor-observer bias

The tendency to attribute one's own actions to situational factors while attributing others' actions to their personality.

Self-serving bias

The tendency to attribute positive events to one's own character but to attribute negative events to external factors.

Social Cognition

The study of how people process, store, and apply information about other people and social situations.

Concept/schema

A mental framework that organizes and interprets information about a particular category of objects, events, or ideas.

Attitude

A psychological tendency expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor.

Explicit vs implicit attitude

Explicit attitudes are conscious beliefs; implicit attitudes are automatic and unconscious evaluations that can influence behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

The theory that discomfort arises from holding contradictory beliefs or attitudes, leading to changes in beliefs or behaviors.

Research Methods

The strategies or techniques used to conduct scientific investigation and gather data.

Debrief

The process of explaining the purposes and procedures of a study to participants after its completion.

Meta analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to arrive at a comprehensive conclusion.

Persuasion / Behavior Change

The process of influencing others to change their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors.

Central route to persuasion

A method of persuasion that relies on logical arguments and evidence.

Door-in-the-face approach

A persuasion technique where a large request is followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

Foot-in-the-door approach

A persuasion technique where a small request is made first, followed by a larger request.

Peripheral route to persuasion

A method of persuasion that relies on superficial cues rather than logical arguments.

Role playing - Zimbardo’s study

A study by Philip Zimbardo demonstrating how people conform to assigned roles and the impact of situational forces on behavior.

Conformity - Asch’s study

Research highlighting how individuals may conform to group opinions even when they are incorrect.

Informational social influence

Influence to accept information from others as evidence about reality.

Normative social influence

Influence stemming from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.

Deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations.

Group polarization

The tendency for group discussion to intensify group opinion.

Group think

A mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group.

Obedience - Milgram’s Study

Stanley Milgram's study demonstrating the extent to which individuals would follow orders, even to the point of harming others.

Social facilitation

The tendency for people to perform better on tasks in the presence of others.

Social inhibition/impairment

The tendency for people to perform worse on tasks in the presence of others.

Social loafing

The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group than when working alone.

Conflict and Cooperation

The study of harmful or helpful behaviors toward others in social situations.

Approach-approach

A conflict that arises when choosing between two equally desirable options.

Approach-avoidance

A conflict that arises when a single goal has both attractive and unattractive features.

Avoidance-avoidance

A conflict arising from having to choose between two undesirable options.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

A situation in which two individuals act in their own self-interest but ultimately produce a worse outcome for both.

Reciprocity norm

The social expectation that people will respond favorably to each other by returning benefits for benefits.

Social traps

Situations where individuals or groups act in their own self-interest, leading to a mutually harmful outcome.

Social responsibility norm

The expectation that people will help those needing help.

Superordinate goal

A shared goal that necessitates cooperation between different groups.

GRIT

A strategy for conflict resolution involving unilateral concessions by one party.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Bystander effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.

Diffusion of responsibility

The tendency for individuals to feel less compelled to act when they believe others will.

Social exchange theory

The theory that human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.

Discrimination

The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.

Prejudice

A preconceived opinion not based on reason or actual experience.

In-group bias

The tendency to favor one's own group over others.

Out-group homogeneity

The perception that members of an out-group are more similar to each other than they truly are.

Mere-exposure effect

The phenomenon where people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them.

Just-world hypothesis

The belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Blame-the-victim mentality

The tendency to attribute the misfortunes of individuals to their character or actions.

Mirror image perceptions

Mutual views often held by conflicting parties, seeing themselves as peaceful and the other as aggressive.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment.

Belief perseverance

The tendency to cling to one's initial beliefs even after their basis has been discredited.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preconceptions.

Solomon Asch

Psychologist known for his studies on conformity.

Leon Festinger

Psychologist known for developing Cognitive Dissonance Theory.

Stanley Milgram

Psychologist famous for his obedience experiments.

Philip Zimbardo

Psychologist known for the Stanford prison experiment.

Positive Psychology

A field of psychology that focuses on the study of positive emotions, strengths, and factors that contribute to a fulfilling life.

Hedonic adaptation / treadmill

The observed tendency of humans to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative events.

Life satisfaction - what are the main categories of influence

Factors that affect life satisfaction include financial security, social relationships, and mental health.

Seligman’s study of intentional activities affecting life satisfaction

Research demonstrating that engaging in intentional activities can enhance well-being and life satisfaction.

Signature strengths

Unique traits or characteristics that individuals have which enable them to thrive.