AP Psychology - Unit 4

Social Psychology

How people think about; influence; and relate to others.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Explaining others’ behavior using personality instead of the situation.

Self-Serving Bias

Taking credit for success and blaming outside causes for failure.

Central Route Persuasion

Persuasion through logic and evidence.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

Persuasion through emotion

Cognitive Dissonance

Discomfort from conflicting attitudes and behaviors.

Foot-in-the-Door

Small request increases chance of agreeing to a larger request later.

Door-in-the-Face

Large request rejected → smaller request accepted.

Stereotype

Generalized belief about a group.

Prejudice

Negative attitude toward a group.

Discrimination

Negative behavior toward a group.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes.

Deindividuation

Losing self-awareness in a group.

Social Facilitation

Better performance on easy tasks when others are watching.

Group Polarization

Group discussion strengthens existing opinions.

Groupthink

Desire for harmony suppresses disagreement.

Bystander Effect

Less likely to help when others are present.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Assuming someone else will help.

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

Blocking goals can increase aggression.

Social Learning Theory

Behavior learned through observing others.

Albert Bandura Bobo Doll Study

Children imitate aggressive behavior they observe.

Mere Exposure Effect

Repeated exposure increases liking.

Reciprocal Liking

We like people who like us.

Id

Seeks immediate pleasure.

Ego

Balances desires with reality.

Superego

Moral conscience.

Repression

Pushing distressing thoughts into the unconscious.

Projection

Attributing your own feelings to others.

Displacement

Redirecting emotions to a safer target.

Sublimation

Turning unacceptable impulses into productive behavior.

Big Five Traits

Openness; Conscientiousness; Extraversion; Agreeableness

Self-Actualization

Reaching full potential.

Reciprocal Determinism

Behavior; thoughts; and environment influence one another.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in your ability to succeed.

Drive-Reduction Theory

Biological needs motivate behavior.

Incentive Theory

External rewards motivate behavior.

Arousal Theory

People seek optimal stimulation levels.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Basic needs must be met before higher needs.

Achievement Motivation

Desire for success and mastery.

Affiliation Motivation

Desire to belong.

James-Lange Theory

Physical arousal comes before emotion.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotion and arousal happen simultaneously.

Two-Factor Theory

Emotion equals arousal plus cognitive label.

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Facial expressions influence emotions.