PSYC 1113 Chapter 12 pt.1

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

1. Definition of Social Psychology

• Definition: The scientific study of how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people.-- Gordon Allport.

2. Importance of Social Connections

• Loneliness:

  • A universal and common experience.

  • Statistics:

    • UK: 60% of individuals aged 18 to 34 often feel lonely.

    • US: 46% of the population feels lonely regularly.

• Nature of Loneliness:

  • Considered a bodily function, similar to hunger.

  • Evolutionary perspective: Loneliness was a survival indicator, leading to collaboration among ancestors to enhance survival chances.

3. Historical Context

• Survival Factors:

  • Ancestors faced danger not just from predators, but from social exclusion.

  • Needed social groups for shared resources, safety, and child-rearing.

• Social Pain as Warning System:

  • Social Pain serves to signal individuals to engage in behaviors that prevent isolation, keeping social bonds intact.

4. Social Understanding and Challenges

• Social Cues Interpretation:

  • Key social challenges include recognizing leaders, detecting deceit, and assessing feelings of acceptance or rejection within groups.

5. Brain and Social Relationships

• Social Brain Hypothesis (Dunbar, 1998):

  • Humans have larger brains relative to body size compared to most animals, indicating the importance of complex social interactions in human evolution.

6. Conformity

• Understanding Conformity:

  • Dangerous Conformity:

    • Example: Pluralistic Ignorance and the influence of others.

  • Reasons for Conforming:

    • Others may have more information or experience, leading individuals to conform to avoid appearing foolish or to ensure they are doing the right thing.

  • Asch's Length Judgment Studies (1951-1956):

    • 77% of participants conformed at least once despite knowing the group's answer was incorrect.

    • On average, participants gave wrong answers 32% of the time in the presence of a unanimous group.

7. Factors Influencing Conformity

• Group Size:

  • The size of the majority influences rates of conformity.

• Context Dependence:

  • Situational factors affect when individuals choose to conform (e.g., for self-protection or to stand out).

8. Obedience in Social Psychology

• Milgram Experiment:

  • Demonstrated the extent to which individuals comply with authority.

  • Participants administered potentially lethal shocks to learners under the instruction of an authority figure, revealing surprising obedience (65% administered maximum shock).

9. Cultural Influences on Behavior

• Individualistic vs. Collectivist Cultures:

  • Individualistic Cultures (e.g., Western countries) emphasize personal goals, independence, and self-expression.

  • Collectivist Cultures (e.g., most Asian, African, and Latin American cultures):

    • Emphasize group goals, interdependence, and family loyalties.

    • Encourage conformity to group norms to preserve relationships.

• Cultural Ecology:

  • Differences in environments, such as rice paddies requiring cooperation, shape interdependence in cultures.

10. Aggression and Altruism

• Robber's Cave Experiment:

  • Examined group behavior, competition, and cooperation among children.

• Reasons for Aggression:

  • Competition over resources, social status, and mates.

• Reasons for Altruism:

  • Individuals often help others for shared goals or through direct benefits and reciprocation.

  • Evolutionary Factors in Altruism:

    • Inclusive fitness: Parents sacrifice for children.

    • Reciprocity: Mutual benefit in helping others.