ap psychology social psych unit

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others

Social Influence

Process through which others directly or indirectly influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

Conformity

Changing one’s behavior to match that of other people

Asch’s Study

Experiment showing people conform to group pressure even when the group is wrong

Collectivist Cultures

Cultures that show higher levels of conformity

Online Conformity

Cultural differences in conformity disappear when done online

Groupthink

Prioritizing group harmony over accurate decision-making

Illusion of Invulnerability

Belief that the group cannot fail

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and sense of identity in a group

Group Polarization

Strengthening of group beliefs through discussion

Compliance

Changing behavior due to a direct request

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

Agreeing to a small request increases likelihood of agreeing to a larger one

Door-in-the-Face Technique

Refusing a large request increases likelihood of agreeing to a smaller one

Norm of Reciprocity

Belief that favors should be returned

Lowball Technique

Gaining commitment then increasing the cost

That’s-Not-All Technique

Adding bonuses before a decision is made to increase compliance

Obedience

Changing behavior due to an authority figure’s command

Milgram Experiment

Study showing people obey authority even when actions conflict with morals

Social Facilitation

Improved performance on easy tasks when others are present

Social Impairment

Worse performance on difficult tasks when others are present

Social Loafing

Reduced effort when working in a group

Attitude

A positive or negative evaluation of a person, object, or idea

Affective Component

Emotional part of an attitude

Behavioral Component

Actions toward the attitude object

Cognitive Component

Thoughts and beliefs about the attitude object

Attitudes and Behavior

Attitudes are often poor predictors of behavior

Direct Contact

Attitude formation through personal experience

Direct Instruction

Attitudes learned from authority figures

Vicarious Conditioning

Attitudes learned by observing others

Persuasion

Process of changing beliefs, opinions, or actions

Source

The person delivering the message; credibility matters

Message

The clarity and organization of the argument

Target Audience

The group being persuaded; younger people are more susceptible

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Explains how persuasion leads to attitude change

Central Route Processing

Focus on the content of the message

Peripheral Route Processing

Focus on external factors like appearance

Cognitive Dissonance

Discomfort from conflicting attitudes and behaviors

Reduce Dissonance

Change behavior, justify behavior, or add new beliefs

Social Cognition

How people think about the social world

Impression Formation

Creating first impressions of others

Primacy Effect

First impressions have a lasting impact

Social Categorization

Placing people into groups based on traits

Implicit Personality Theory

Assumptions about how traits are related

Attribution

Explaining behavior of oneself or others

Situational Cause

Behavior explained by external factors

Dispositional Cause

Behavior explained by internal traits

Fundamental Attribution Error

Overestimating personality and underestimating situation in others

Actor-Observer Bias

Attributing own behavior to situation and others to personality

Just-World Hypothesis

Belief that people get what they deserve

In-group

Group you identify with

Out-group

Group you do not identify with

Realistic Conflict Theory

Competition leads to prejudice

Scapegoating

Blaming a weaker group for problems

Social Cognitive Theory

Prejudice is learned through observation and experience

Social Identity Theory

Sense of self based on group membership

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Expectations influence behavior to make them come true

Stereotype Vulnerability

Awareness of stereotypes affects behavior

Equal Status Contact

Groups of equal status reduce prejudice through interaction

Jigsaw Classroom

Cooperative learning reduces prejudice

Interpersonal Attraction

Liking or desire for a relationship

Proximity

Physical closeness increases attraction

Similarity

Shared traits increase attraction

Reciprocity of Liking

We like people who like us

Intimacy

Emotional closeness in a relationship

Passion

Physical attraction in a relationship

Commitment

Decision to maintain a relationship

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm others

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Frustration leads to aggression

Biological Factors of Aggression

Amygdala, hormones, and neurotransmitters influence aggression

Instrumental Aggression

Aggression used to achieve a goal

Emotional Aggression

Impulsive aggression driven by emotion

Social Role

Expected behavior for a position

Stanford Prison Experiment

Study showing roles influence behavior

Prosocial Behavior

Behavior intended to help others

Altruism

Helping others without expecting a reward

Bystander Effect

People are less likely to help in a group

Diffusion of Responsibility

Responsibility is spread among group members

Noticing

Recognizing a situation as needing attention

Interpreting

Understanding it as an emergency

Responsibility

Deciding to take action