intro to psychology week 9

What is social psychology?

Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

What are norms in social psychology?

Norms are the unwritten rules and expectations for behavior in a group or society.

Define conformity.

Conformity is the act of changing one's behavior or beliefs to match those of others in a group.

What is groupthink?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony or conformity in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.

What is the social identity theory?

Social identity theory posits that a person's sense of who they are is based on their group membership.

What are stereotypes?

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group of people.

Define prejudice.

Prejudice is a negative attitude or judgment about a group and its members.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership.

What is the bystander effect?

The bystander effect is a social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.

Define social facilitation.

Social facilitation refers to the tendency for individuals to perform better on simple tasks in the presence of others.

What is the role of cognitive dissonance in social psychology?

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when holding two contradictory beliefs or attitudes.

What does the term 'social loafing' mean?

Social loafing is the tendency for individuals to expend less effort when working in a group than when working alone.

Define the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy.

A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person's expectations about another lead to behavior that causes those expectations to come true.

What is the concept of group polarization?

Group polarization is the tendency for group discussions to amplify the initial leanings of group members.

What is social comparison theory?

Social comparison theory posits that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others.

Define obedience in social psychology.

Obedience is the act of following direct commands, usually from an authority figure.

What is a social schema?

A social schema is a mental structure that organizes one's knowledge and expectations about a particular social concept.

Define attribution theory.

Attribution theory explains how individuals infer the causes of behavior and events, either attributing them to internal or external factors.

What is the halo effect?

The halo effect is a cognitive bias whereby the perception of one positive trait leads to the assumption of other positive traits.

What is cognitive bias?

Cognitive bias refers to systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

Define ingroup and outgroup.

Ingroup refers to a social group with which a person identifies, while outgroup refers to a social group with which a person does not identify.

What is the mere exposure effect?

The mere exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon where people develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them.

Describe the concept of a social norm violation.

Social norm violation refers to actions that go against the expected behaviors established by a group.

What does the term 'implicit bias' refer to?

Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions unconsciously.

What is empathic concern?

Empathic concern is the feeling of compassion and sympathy for another person's suffering.

Define social influence.

Social influence is the change in an individual's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors resulting from the real or imagined presence of others.

What is the concept of front stage and back stage behavior in social interactions?

Front stage behavior refers to the public actions one takes in social settings, while back stage behavior is the more private, personal actions away from public scrutiny.

What is the significance of compliance in social situations?

Compliance is the act of conforming to a request or demand from another, often in situations where resistance may not seem feasible.

What role do attitudes play in social psychology?

Attitudes are evaluations of people, objects, or ideas that can influence behavior and decision-making.

Define verbal aggression.

Verbal aggression is the use of language to harm or threaten someone, often manifesting as insults or verbal attacks.

What is prosocial behavior?

Prosocial behavior is any action intended to help others, often motivated by empathy, concern, or altruism.

Define the term 'affective forecasting.'

Affective forecasting is the process of predicting how one will feel in the future based on a particular event or outcome.