UNIT 4 NOTES - Social Psychology & Learning

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.

Person Perception

The process of forming impressions of ourselves and others, including attributions of behavior.

Stereotypes

Generalized beliefs about a group of people, which can sometimes be accurate.

Prejudice

An unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members.

Mere Exposure Effect

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

Illusory Correlation

The perception of a relationship where none exists; thinking a trait occurs more often in a specific group than it actually does.

Ingroup

A group of people with desirable traits.

Outgroup

A group of people with non-desirable traits.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment, often influencing behavior in a way that makes the belief come true.

Attribution Theory

The theory that explains how individuals pinpoint the causes of their own and others' behavior.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to underestimate situational factors and overestimate dispositional factors when analyzing others' behavior.

Dispositional Attribution

Attributing behavior to internal factors, such as personality traits.

Situational Attribution

Thinking that a person's behavior is caused by external factors.

Cognitive Component of Attitudes

The logical aspect of an attitude, including beliefs and thoughts.

Affective Component of Attitudes

The emotional aspect of an attitude, including feelings associated with it.

Behavioral Component of Attitudes

The manner in which an attitude is expressed through actions.

Implicit Attitudes

Unconscious, unaware feelings or evaluations.

Explicit Attitudes

Conscious, aware feelings or evaluations.

Just-World Phenomenon

The belief that the world is fair, and people get what they deserve.

Ingroup Bias

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

Scapegoat Theory

The theory that prejudice provides an outlet for anger by blaming others.

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.

Social Loafing

The phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness in groups, often leading to impulsive behaviors.

Group Polarization

The tendency for group discussion to enhance the group's prevailing attitudes.

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 responsible to act when others are present.

Cognitive Dissonance

The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, leading to changes in beliefs or attitudes.

Belief Perseverance

The tendency to cling to one's beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence.

Normative Influence

The influence of others that leads us to conform in order to be liked and accepted.

Informational Influence

The influence of others that leads us to conform because we see them as a source of information.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

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

Door-in-the-Face Phenomenon

The tendency for people to comply with a smaller request after having rejected a larger request.

Central Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion that focuses on the arguments and information presented.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

A method of persuasion that relies on superficial cues, such as attractiveness.