Unit 4: Social psychology and personality

Dispositional Attributions

The explanation of individual behavior as a result of internal characteristics or traits.

Situational Attributions

The explanation of behavior as a result of environmental or external influences.

Attribution Bias

Systematic errors in evaluating or explaining behaviors of ourselves and others.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Tendency to attribute others' behaviors to their character rather than situational factors.

Actor-Observer Bias

Tendency to attribute our actions to the situation but others’ actions to their disposition.

Self-Serving Bias

Tendency to credit ourselves for successes (internal) and blame failures on the situation (external).

External Locus of Control

Belief that outside forces, such as luck or fate, control outcomes.

Internal Locus of Control

Belief that one controls their own destiny and outcomes through effort.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment through behavior influenced by expectations.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence behavior and judgments.

Just-World Phenomenon

Belief that people get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Out-Group Homogeneity Bias

Perception that members of the out-group are more similar to each other than they really are.

In-Group Bias

Tendency to favor one's own group over others.

Cognitive Dissonance

Mental discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors, leading to attitude change.

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

Persuasion strategy of getting someone to agree to a small request first to increase chances of agreement to a larger request.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

Persuasion strategy of making a large request expecting refusal, followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

Conformity

Adjusting behavior or thinking to match a group standard.

Obedience

Following orders or requests from an authority figure.

Group Polarization

Tendency for group discussion to strengthen the dominant viewpoint and produce a shift toward a more extreme position.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Reduction in feelings of personal responsibility in the presence of others.

Bystander Effect

Tendency for individuals to be less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.

Situational Variable

Environmental or contextual factor that influences behavior.

Attentional Variable

Level of focus or attention given to a situation or stimulus that affects response.

Id

Unconscious part of the mind that seeks immediate gratification based on the pleasure principle.

Ego

Conscious, rational part of the mind that mediates between the id, superego, and reality.

Superego

Part of the mind that reflects moral standards and ideals, providing guidelines for making judgments.

Denial

Refusing to accept reality or facts to avoid emotional pain.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a substitute target.

Projection

Attributing one’s own unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others.

Rationalization

Creating logical excuses for irrational behavior.

Regression

Reverting to childlike behaviors under stress.

Repression

Unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts or impulses.

Sublimation

Channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and supporting someone without conditions.

Self-Actualizing Tendency

Innate drive to reach one’s fullest potential and capabilities.

Reciprocal Determinism

The interacting influences of behavior, internal cognition, and environment on personality.

Self-Efficacy

One’s belief in their own ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Self-Esteem

One’s overall sense of self-worth or personal value.

Big Five Theory

Theory that personality is composed of five traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

Openness

Creativity and willingness to try new things.

Conscientiousness

Organization, dependability, and discipline.

Extraversion

Energy, sociability, and tendency to seek stimulation in the company of others.

Agreeableness

Compassion, cooperation, and trust in others.

Neuroticism

Tendency toward emotional instability and negative emotions.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Motivation arises from the desire to reduce internal tension caused by unmet biological needs.

Arousal Theory

People are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal or stimulation.

Self-Determination Theory

Motivation is driven by the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Incentive Theory

Behavior is motivated by external rewards or incentives.

Sensation-Seeking Theory

People are driven to experience varied, novel, and intense sensations and experiences.

Approach-Approach Conflict

Choosing between two desirable outcomes.

Approach-Avoidance Conflict

One option has both positive and negative aspects.

Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict

Choosing between two undesirable outcomes.

James-Lange Theory

Emotion results from physiological arousal; we feel emotion because we react physically.

Facial-Feedback Theory

Facial expressions influence emotional experience.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously but independently.

Broaden and Build Theory

Positive emotions broaden thinking and build personal resources over time.