AP Psychology Unit 4: Social Psychology Concepts

Social Psychology

The study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and ignore situational factors when judging others' behavior.

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon

The tendency to agree to a small request first, making it more likely to agree to a larger request later.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

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

Conformity

Adjusting one's behavior or beliefs to match those of others or social norms.

Milgram's Study on Obedience

An experiment showing that people are likely to obey authority figures even when it involves causing harm to others.

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment

A study demonstrating how people can adopt abusive behaviors when placed in positions of power and control.

Asch's Study on Conformity

Research showing that people often conform to group opinions even when they are clearly incorrect.

Social Loafing

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in group situations, often leading to behavior that is out of character.

Group Polarization

The tendency for group discussions to lead to more extreme positions than individuals initially held.

Prejudice

Preconceived opinions or attitudes about individuals based on their group membership.

Stereotype

Overgeneralized beliefs about a group of people.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership.

Scapegoat Theory

Blaming an out-group for problems or frustrations to deflect responsibility from oneself.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When a belief or expectation about someone leads to behavior that confirms that belief.

Altruism

Selfless concern for the well-being of others without expecting personal gain.

Groupthink

The tendency for group members to prioritize consensus over critical thinking, leading to poor decision-making.

Other-Race Effect

The difficulty in recognizing faces of races different from one's own.

Social Exchange Theory

The idea that social behavior is a result of an exchange process where people seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs.

Social-Responsibility Norm

The expectation that people will help others who are in need without expecting anything in return.

Normative Social Influence

Conforming to be accepted or liked by others.

Ingroup

A social group to which a person feels they belong.

Attribution Theory

The theory that explains how people determine the causes of others' behavior, either attributing it to internal or external factors.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm or intimidate others.

Social Facilitation

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

Frustration-Aggression Principle

The idea that frustration often leads to aggressive behavior.

Just-World Phenomenon

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

Attitude

A predisposition to respond in a particular way towards people, objects, or situations.

Ingroup Bias

The tendency to favor and give preferential treatment to members of one's own group.

Mere Exposure Effect

The tendency to develop a preference for things we are exposed to repeatedly.

Central Route Persuasion

Uses facts and logic for persuasion.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Uses emotions and superficial cues for persuasion.

Companionate Love

Deep friendship and commitment in love relationships.

Passionate Love

Intense physical attraction in love relationships.

Consummate Love

Combines passion, intimacy, and commitment in love relationships.