Psychology unit 2 aos 1

What is social cognition?

How we interpret, analyse, remember and use information to make judgements about others in different social situations and the social world.

What is personal perception and how does it work?

The mental process we use to understand and form impressions about other people. It works by interpreting direct information (what we observe ourselves, such as behaviour or appearance) and indirect information (what we hear from others),

What is first impressions and what are they formed based on?

Your initial thoughts on someone based on your first interaction or exposure. It is formed based on physical appearance and non-verbal cues.

What is non-verbal communication?

The process of sending and receiving information without using spoken or written words.

What is body language?

Body language is conscious or unconscious ways our body posture and movements convey our feelings and attitudes. It is an expression of behaviour that allows us to make quick and often accurate judgments.

What is attribution?

Attribution is an evaluation made about the causes of behaviour and the processes of making this evaluation.

What is personal attribution?

Explanation of behaviour due to the characteristics of the person involved. If we attribute the behaviour to internal factors, we tend to blame the person for causing the behaviour.

What is situational attribution?

Explanation due to the factors external to the person involved. If we attribute the behaviour to external factors, we tend to blame the situation for causing the behaviour.

Explain how attribution is a social cognition process

Attribution is a social cognition process that individuals use to explain the causes of their own and other peoples behaviour by analysing and interpreting information about the social situation to make judgements about the behaviour.

What is attitude and where are attitudes learnt from?

An attitude is an evaluation a person makes about an object, person, group, event or issue. Attitudes are learnt through experience + socio cultural background.

What is socio-cultural and what is an example?

Socio-cultural refers to a combination of social and cultural factors. For example different groups in society and their habits, traditions and beliefs. Attutidues can change, develop or stay stable over time.

What is the tri-component / abc model and what must happen before an attitude exists?

According to the model, there are 3 main components that contribute to behaviour formation and related in forming and attitude - affective, behavioural and cognitive. The model proposes that all 3 components must be present and consistent with eachother before it can be said an attitude exists.

What is the affective component of tri-component model?

The affective component is based on emotional reactions or feelings an individual has towards and object, person, group, event or issue.

What is the behavioural component of tri-component model?

The way an attitude is expressed through our actions.

What is the cognitive component of tri-component model?

It refers to the beliefs we have about an object, person, group, event or issue.

What are the limitations of tri-component model?

• A persons attitude and behaviour is not always consistent

• A persons behaviour does not always reflect the attitude the hold

• Some psychologists suggest that has only affective and cognitive components

What is a stereotype?

A stereotype is a process of grouping or fitting people into a specific category based on a collection of beliefs and generalisations we have about the people who belong to a certain group, regardless of individual differences among members of that group.

What do we do when we evaluate people?

We tend to group or fit people into a certain category based on our knowledge of the world and people (stereotyping).

What is empirical evidence?

Information / data that is collected through observation and experimentation.

How do stereotypes influence how we view the social world?

We use stereotypes to assist us in knowing how we should react to new people we meet.

What are the limits of stereotypes? (3)

• Sterotypes can lead to stigma - a negative label associated with disapproval or rejection by others who are not labeled in that way. This can lead to the stigmatised person feeling rejected, ignored, shameful and having low self esteem.

• When we stereotype people to belonging to a septic group we ignore their individuality

• Many stereotypes can be inaccurate as many social and cultural stereotypes are formed on the basis of little to no empirical evidence

What is the 3 steps for attribution in order?

observation, determination of behaviour, attribution.

What is alternative attribution?

A different possible explanation for a person's behaviour, rather than your first assumption or impression.

Simple example:

You see someone yawn during your presentation.

First attribution: "They're bored."

Alternative attribution: "They didn't sleep well last night."

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The tendency to overestimate the role of a person's internal characteristics (such as their personality or attitude) and underestimate the role of external or situational factors when explaining their behaviour.

What is the criteria for an attitude?

• Evaluation: Positive, negative, or mixed towards a person, object, event, or issue.

• Settled and stable: Lasts over time and is not easily changed.