Psychology Exam #3 Review

What does social psychology study?

It studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

What are the three components of prejudice?

Affective (feelings), behavioral (discrimination), and cognitive (stereotypes).

What is the bystander effect?

The phenomenon where individuals feel less pressure to take action when more people are present.

Who first studied the bystander effect?

Latané and Darley in 1968.

What is social loafing?

The tendency for individuals to exert less effort in group tasks where individual performance is not evaluated.

What is the just-world hypothesis?

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

What is diffusion of responsibility?

In group settings, individuals feel less personally accountable for their actions.

What did Milgram's study investigate?

Obedience to authority and how far individuals will go to obey commands.

What is cognitive dissonance?

The discomfort experienced when behavior and beliefs do not align.

What is self-serving bias?

The habit of crediting yourself for successes but blaming outside factors when things go wrong.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Thinking someone's actions are mostly because of their personality and not considering the situation they're in.

What is compliance in social psychology?

Changing behavior in response to a direct request.

What is ethnocentrism?

Judging another culture by the standards of one’s own culture.

Who conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Philip Zimbardo in 1971.

What is altruism?

Helping others with no expectation of reward.

What did Solomon Asch study?

Conformity through line judgment tasks.

What is a stereotype?

A generalized belief about a group of people.

What does social cognition involve?

How people process, store, and apply information about others and social situations.

What are attitudes composed of?

Affective, behavioral, and cognitive components.

What are anxiety disorders characterized by?

Excessive fear or anxiety that interferes with daily life.

What are psychological disorders defined as?

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that are deviant, distressful, and dysfunctional.

What are the two types of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar I (at least one full manic episode) and Bipolar II (hypomania and major depression).

What are common symptoms of schizophrenia?

Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, negative symptoms.

What does OCD stand for?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

What is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, developing after exposure to a traumatic event.

What is narcissism?

An inflated sense of self-importance and need for admiration.

What defines a personality disorder?

Inflexible and maladaptive patterns of behavior causing distress or impairment.

What is borderline personality disorder characterized by?

Intense fear of abandonment and unstable relationships.

What is the DSM?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

What is a panic attack?

A sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort with physical symptoms.

What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

Excessive, uncontrollable worry lasting at least 6 months.

What are dissociative disorders characterized by?

Disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory.

What is agoraphobia?

Fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult.

What is diffusion of responsibility linked to?

The bystander effect.

What is the role of social norms in prejudice?

They reinforce negative attitudes towards certain social groups.

How can cognitive dissonance be reduced?

By changing beliefs, changing behavior, or justifying the inconsistency.

What technique combines small requests leading to larger ones?

Foot-in-the-door technique.

In what culture is self-serving bias more common?

Individualistic cultures.

What results from stereotype threat?

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype.

What can lead to misunderstanding and prejudice?

Ethnocentrism.

What is the primary focus of social cognition?

Processing information about social situations and individuals.

What do collective cultures emphasize in behavior attribution?

Situational factors over internal traits.

What ethical issues arose from the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Concerns regarding the treatment of participants and psychological harm.

What is empathy's role in altruism?

It enhances the motivation to help others without expecting rewards.

What psychological principle explains the tendency to conform?

Normative social influence.

How do attitudes predict behavior?

If they are strong and personally important.

What is a symptom of panic attacks?

Heart palpitations.

What characterizes impulsivity in borderline personality disorder?

Self-harming behavior or risky decisions.

What common therapeutic approach is used for OCD?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What is a key factor in treatment for schizophrenia?

Antipsychotic medication and therapy.

What two disorders are often linked to severe trauma in childhood?

Dissociative Identity Disorder and PTSD.

What leads to the feeling of discomfort in cognitive dissonance?

Inconsistency between beliefs and behavior.

What contributes to the persistence of stereotypes?

Oversimplification of group traits.

What does the foot-in-the-door technique illustrate?

The incremental approach to compliance.

What mental health condition often accompanies excessive worry in GAD?

Physical symptoms like restlessness and muscle tension.

What is one characteristic common to anxiety disorders?

Persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life.

What is the significance of the 1960s Milgram study?

It demonstrated how far people will go to obey authority.

What aspect of personality is often impaired in personality disorders?

Functioning and relationships.

What is a common treatment strategy for individuals with borderline personality disorder?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).