Chapter 12 Social Psychology PDF

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Social Psychology textbook notes and questions answered....

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Chapter 12 Social Psychology Social psychology- involves scientific research regarding how our perceptions about others and our associated thoughts and feelings impact behavioral responses. Confederate- one who acts like they are a part of the study, but is aiding the researcher. Naïve subject- a voluntary participant unaware of the actual purpose of the investigation. Attribution- drawing a particular conclusion regarding the cause of an event or behavior. Attribution Theory- we generally attempt to explain the behavior of others using 2 types of attributions: 1. Situational Attribution- identifying those factors outside the person engaged in the behavior (peer pressure) 2. Dispositional Attribution- identifying an individual’s personal traits (personality and emotions) We tend to overemphasize dispositional attribution and underemphasize situational attribution. We conclude that an active behavior is demonstrating a personality trait. Fundamental Attribution Error- occurs when we assume that a person’s behavior is generally the result of their personality.

(someone trips walking in to class and you conclude they are clumsy but then the next day you trip over the same object)

Self-Serving Bias- we blame a particular situation for our failures, yet take credit whenever we are successful. (not selfish, it is a natural response whenever we perceive ourselves as the primary “actor” in a situation) Attitudes- any ideas, feelings, beliefs that may impact how we respond to others or approach events. “Bad attitude” are not rooted from a “bad mood”. It is an overall mindset that causes you to react negatively.

Social Role- a pattern of behavior typically expected of you within a group context. Role-playing can change your attitude for what we are pretending to be or do, we may adopt the attitude associated with that role. (People with arranged marriages that actually fall in love with their partner) Cognitive Dissonance- occurs when our actions are not in harmony with out attitude. Cognitive Dissonance Theory- we tend to resolve any “dissonance” we experience by adjusted our attitudes to fit with our actions. (dissonance may arise if we smoke

yet we know smoking is bad for us, we must somehow resolve this contradiction)

Conformity- changing one’s behavior patterns in order to align with a standard established by others. Chameleon Effect- natural mimic behaviors of others, viewing someone yawn or scratch with elicit same response in yourself. Normative Social Influence- individual influenced to follow the behavior patterns established by others in order to pain group’s approval or to avoid negative consequences. Informational Social Influence- one perceives that as the group may have more information than a single individual, it is wise to conform to the dominant behavior pattern.

Persuasion- an attempt to influence or change the behavior pattern of someone else. 2 cognitive ways: 1. Central Route Persuasion- appealing to the rational mind-logic and reason. (research studies demonstrate the effectiveness of this product) 2. Peripheral Route Persuasion- appeal to desires, fears, associations. (people who purchase this product are happier)

Door-in-the-face Technique- Uncomfortable asking favors of others, by anticipating the refusal of a large request in

order to influence compliance with a smaller request, a win-win scenario created. Foot-in-the-door technique- permission for a small request is obtained with the knowledge that a future and larger request is more likely. Low-ball Technique- you may be persuaded to agree to an initial offer that appears highly desirable, only to concede later to a less desirable arrangement. Obedience- willful act of complying with the instructions of another person Factors reinforcing obedience -proximity and perceived authority -well-respected organization Social Facilitation- process where our performance of simple tasks is enhanced by presence of others. (sports play better at home among a strong fan base) Social Loafing- you tend to expend a lesser degree of effort in pursuit of a common goal when they perceive that someone else is undertaking the majority of the work. Deindivduation- self-awareness and personal restraint is lose due to an identification with a social role over one’s usual behavior. Culture- overall beliefs and behaviors of a group. Passed on to successive generations.

Norms- rules that tend to direct behavior within a cultural context. Group Polarization- hold certain opinions about others, extended discussions on these topics may enhance or strengthen your original position. Motivated Reasoning- cherry pick and manipulate facts to suit our biases due to personal motivations, group identity. Groupthink- attempt to maintain accord within particular group results in overconfidence. Minority Influence- a few can effect change to a larger group Prejudice- negative attitude toward personal qualities of others such as race, group, sexual orientation, gender, religious beliefs. Scapegoating- venting anger by blaming a group for your problems Social Inequality- fewer opportunities are available to some groups. Stereotyping- overgeneralized assumption associated with a particular group Discrimination- rooted in prejudice, negative attitudes towards a group. Just-world phenomenon- we live in just a world where people tend to get what they deserve. If someone is

successful then they must be good or right. If they are unsuccessful then they are just wrong or bad. Ingroups- people who share common values, interests, overall identity. Leads to ingroup bias-our group is better than your group Outgroups- do not share general characteristic or identity. Aggression- verbal/ physical behavior intended to inflict harm or destruction. -genes can play role. -hyperstimulation to amygdala -under stimulation in frontal lobes -drugs and alcohol, hormone levels. -Frustration-aggression principle- when your goal is blocked you may become frustrated, angry, aggressive. (road rage)

Attraction Proximity- being near another person tends to engender attractions (enrolled at same course at school) Mere exposure effect- continuous exposure increases attraction Physical Appearance, attractive people viewed as having better personal qualities: Halo Effect Similarity endures; the more we are attracted to someone who is similar to us.

Passionate love- highly intense, aroused state with another person. Earliest stages of relationship. Outside arousal (being frightened during movie on date) can intensify passionate feelings towards another. Does not endure over time. Companionate love- deeply intertwined attachment, more enduring. Equity- equally contributing and drawing from relationship and Self-disclosure- willingness to share personal information to someone else. Age and conflict? - As couples age they are more likely to employ strategies that aid in avoiding conflict. Social Exchange Theory- individual behavior involves a process of seeking out maximum benefits and minimizing costs to greatest degree possible. Reciprocity- if we give help we should receive help as well. Social-responsibility- we help those who cannot help themselves Bystander Effect- reduced likelihood to give help if other people are around. Altruism- helping behaviors not intended for personal gain

Compassion- feeling empathy or sorrow for another person due to their circumstances. Compassion can be taught.

Conflict- arises when people or groups perceive incompatibility in terms of actions, objectives. Social Trap- both sides eventually lose if they peruse personal interests rather than cooperation. Mirror-image perceptions- opposing sides often see one another similarly (in a negative light) Superordinate goals- mutual objectives of each party that require cooperation to actualize. Graduated and Reciprocated initiatives in tension reduction- implemented to reduce conflict. Emphasizes efforts on part of one party to recognize interests held in common, make small gesture towards achieving tension reduction.

Chapter 12 Textbook Questions 1. As a field, social psychology focuses on situational factors in predicting human behavior. 2. Making internal attributions for your successes and making external attributions for your failures is an example of self-serving bias.

3. Collectivistic cultures are to situational as individualistic cultures are to dispositional. 4. According to the actor-observer bias, we have more information about influences on our own behavior. 5. A social norm is a set of group expectations for appropriate thoughts and behaviors of its members. 6. On his first day of soccer practice, Jose suits up in a tshirt, shorts, cleats, and runs out to the field to join his team. Jose’s behavior is reflective of a script. 7. When it comes to buying clothes, teenagers often follow social norms; this is likely motivated by fitting in. 8. In the Stanford prison experiment, even the lead researcher succumbed to his role as a prison supervisor. This is an example of the power of social roles influencing behavior. 9. Attitudes describe our evaluations of people, objects, and ideas. 10. Cognitive dissonance causes discomfort because it disrupts our sense of consistency. 11. In order for the central route to persuasion to be effective, the audience must be analytical and motivated. 12. Examples of cues used in peripheral route persuasion include all the following celebrity, positive, attractive endorsements. 13. In the Asch experiment, participants conformed due to normative social influence. 14. Under what conditions will informational social influence be likely? When answer is unclear and when group has expertise.

15. Social loafing occurs when individual performance cannot be evaluated, and the task is easy. 16. If group members modify their opinions to align with a perceived group consensus, then group think has occurred. 17. Prejudice is to feelings as discrimination is to behavior. 18. Which of the following are types of prejudice? Homophobia, racism, sexism 19. Scapegoating occurs when the out-group is blamed for the in-group’s frustration. 20. When we seek out information that supports our stereotypes we are engaged in confirmation bias. 21. Typically bullying from boys is to physical harm as bullying from girls is to emotional harm. 22. Which of the following adolescents is least likely to be targeted for bullying? The captain for the football team 23. The bystander effect likely occurs due to diffusion of responsibility. 24. Altruism is a form of prosocial behavior that is motivated by selfless helping of others. 25. After moving to a new apartment building, research suggests that Sam will be most likely to become friends with his next door neighbor. 26. What trait do both men and women look for in a romantic partner? Physical attractiveness 27. According to the triangular theory of love, what type of love is defined by passion and intimacy but no commitment? Romantic love 28. According to social exchange theory, humans want to maximize the benefits and minimize the costs in relationships....