Ap Psych Unit 9: Social Psychology

Attribution

The action of regarding something as being caused by a person or thing.

Fritz Heider’s Attribution Theory

How do we interact with the environment and where do we lay blame and credit?

Dispositional Attribution

Blame on internal causes.

Situational Attribution

Blame on external elements.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Underestimating the power and impact of the situation.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Influence by incidental factors (attractiveness, popularity, etc).

Central Route Persuasion

Influence by actual information, relevant data, facts, etc.

Foot In The Door Phenomenon

Start with little actions, and eventually you’ll get to the bigger stuff.

Role Playing

The acting out of the part of a particular person or character.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Saying one thing, and doing the other will generally lead to you changing what you say/believe. It’s easier to change your attitude.

Suggestibility

Behavior is contagious (laughing, yawning gratuity, crimes, etc).

Conformity

Adjusting our behavior or thinking due to a group standard.

Normative Social Influence

Being/acting different has consequences.

Informational Social Influence

Conform by accepting others' opinions.

Obediance

Compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.

Stanley Milgram

Conducted a Yale study: People pretended to be teachers and had to shock students. Shows that people tend to listen.

Social Facilitation

Other people present tends to motivate you.

Social Loafing

Less effort when part of a group.

Deindividualization

Groups allow you anonymity.

Group Polarization

Groups tend to distance themselves from other groups, leading to amplified group opinions/beliefs.

Groupthink

When you're in a group, it’s bad for everyone to agree/be in the same mindset.

Prejudice

Set beliefs and emotions that are often negative.

Stereotypes

Overgeneralized beliefs about certain groups.

Social Inequalities

Grouping “us” and “them”.

In-Group Bias/Social Identities

Favoring ones own group simply because it is your group.

Scapegoats

Find someone to blame for problems, because it’s more comfortable than blaming one’s self.

Just World Phenomenon

Good is rewarded, bad is punished.

Aggression

Physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt.

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Situations and suffering can lead to aggression.

Conflict

A disagreement or argument.

Social Traps

Two sides pursue their own interests at the cost of the other.

Mirror-Image Perceptions

Both sides see the other as bad.

Altruism

Unselfish regard for others’ welfare.

Bystander Effect

Diffusion of responsibility leading to inaction.

Social Exchange Theory

Cost vs. benefit analysis (what can we gain from helping).

Reciprocity Norm

Help because you would want someone to help you (the golden rule).

Social Responsibility Norm

A belief that it’s your duty, help because you should.

Attraction

Evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone.

Proximity

Being near a person causes attraction.

Mere Exposure Effect

More exposure=more liking.

Similarity

Opposites don’t attract. We like things we are familiar with.