psyc

Module 74: Attribution & Attitudes

  • Attribution Theory: Explaining behavior by crediting either the situation (situational attribution) or the person’s traits (dispositional attribution).

  • Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE): Overestimating personality and underestimating situation.

  • Self-Serving Bias: Success = personal credit; failure = blame the situation.

  • Attitude: Feelings based on beliefs that guide behavior.

  • Peripheral Route Persuasion: Emotional/visual appeal (celebrity, attractiveness).

  • Central Route Persuasion: Logical evidence and reasoning.

  • Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon: Small agreement → larger agreement later.

  • Role-Playing: Acting a role can shape beliefs (Zimbardo Prison Study).

  • Cognitive Dissonance Theory (Festinger): We change our attitudes to reduce tension when actions and beliefs conflict.

Module 75: Conformity & Obedience

  • Conformity: Adjusting behavior/thought to match others.

  • Normative Social Influence: Conform to gain approval.

  • Informational Social Influence: Conform because others seem correct.

  • Asch Experiment: People gave wrong answers to fit in with group.

  • Obedience: Following authority.

  • Milgram Experiment: “Teacher” shocked “learner” when ordered — majority obeyed.

  • Social Facilitation: Better on easy tasks, worse on hard tasks with audience.

  • Social Loafing: Less effort in group projects.

  • Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness/restraint in groups (mobs).

Module 76: Group Behavior

  • Group Polarization: Like-minded discussion strengthens opinions.

  • Groupthink (Janis): Desire for harmony overrides realistic analysis.

  • Minority Influence: One consistent voice can sway majority.

  • Social vs Personal Control: External influence vs self-control.

Module 77: Prejudice & Discrimination

  • Prejudice: Negative attitude toward a group.

  • Discrimination: Negative behavior toward a group.

  • Stereotype: Generalized belief about a group.

  • Implicit Bias: Automatic prejudice we may not realize.

  • Ingroup/Outgroup: “Us” vs “Them.”

  • Ingroup Bias: Favor own group.

  • Scapegoat Theory: Blaming others provides outlet for anger.

  • Just-World Phenomenon: Belief that world is fair; victims “get what they deserve.”

  • Other-Race Effect: Better recognition for own-race faces.

Module 78: Aggression

  • Aggression: Behavior intended to harm physically or verbally.

  • Biological Influences:

    • Genetic → twin studies show heredity.

    • Neural → amygdala, frontal lobe control.

    • Biochemical → testosterone, alcohol.

  • Frustration-Aggression Principle: Blocking goals → anger → aggression.

  • Learning Aggression: Observation/modeling (Bandura Bobo Doll).

  • Media Violence Effect: Repeated exposure desensitizes and increases aggression.

Module 79: Attraction & Relationships

  • Proximity: Closeness increases liking.

  • Mere Exposure Effect: Repeated exposure breeds liking.

  • Physical Attractiveness: Major factor in first impressions.

  • Similarity: Shared interests/values increase attraction.

  • Passionate Love: Arousal + intense absorption.

  • Companionate Love: Deep affectionate attachment.

  • Equity: Give/take balance = happier relationship.

  • Self-Disclosure: Sharing personal info builds intimacy.

Module 80: Altruism & Peacemaking

  • Altruism: Unselfish concern for others.

  • Bystander Effect: Less likely to help when others present (Kitty Genovese).

  • Social Exchange Theory: Help if benefits outweigh costs.

  • Reciprocity Norm: Help those who help you.

  • Social Responsibility Norm: Help those who depend on you.

  • Conflict: Perceived incompatibility of goals/actions.

  • Social Trap: Pursuing self-interest → mutual harm.

  • Mirror-Image Perceptions: Each side sees itself as moral, the other as evil.

  • GRIT (Osgood): Gradual reciprocal steps to reduce tension between groups/nations.