Questions and Answers
What does social psychology study?
Which theory explains someone's behavior by crediting the situation or the person's disposition?
What is the fundamental attribution error?
The tendency for observers to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal predisposition.
What is an attitude?
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What occurs during peripheral route persuasion?
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What is the foot-in-the-door phenomenon?
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Define cognitive dissonance theory.
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What is culture in the context of social psychology?
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What does conformity refer to?
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What is the definition of prejudice?
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What does the social-responsibility norm state?
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What is the bystander effect?
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Define the concept of a social trap.
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Study Notes
Social Psychology Overview
- Social psychology studies how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.
- Key concepts include the interactions between individual behavior and social contexts.
Key Theories and Phenomena
- Attribution Theory: Explains behavior through situational or dispositional factors.
- Fundamental Attribution Error: Observers tend to overemphasize personal traits while underestimating situational influences.
- Cognitive Dissonance Theory: People seek to resolve discomfort caused by conflicting thoughts or behaviors, often altering their attitudes.
Attitude and Persuasion
- Attitude: A combination of feelings and beliefs that influence responses to various stimuli.
- Peripheral Route Persuasion: Influenced by superficial cues, such as a speaker's appearance.
- Central Route Persuasion: Involves careful examination of arguments leading to favorable thoughts.
Conformity and Social Influence
- Conformity: Adjusting behavior to align with group standards.
- Normative Social Influence: Driven by the desire for approval or fear of disapproval.
- Informational Social Influence: Acceptance of others' opinions as valid when uncertain.
Group Dynamics
- Social Facilitation: Enhanced performance on simple tasks when others are present.
- Social Loafing: Decreased effort by individuals in a group compared to individual responsibility.
- Groupthink: Prioritization of harmony over realistic evaluation, leading to poor decision-making.
Prejudice and Discrimination
- Prejudice: Negative attitudes towards groups, based on stereotypes and feelings.
- Stereotype: Overgeneralized belief about a particular group.
- Discrimination: Unfounded negative actions towards individuals based on group membership.
Social Identification
- Ingroup vs. Outgroup: "Us" versus "them"; ingroup members are seen more favorably.
- Ingroup Bias: Preference for one's own group over others.
- Scapegoat Theory: Prejudice arises as an outlet for anger towards others.
Aggression and Conflict
- Aggression: Behavior aimed at causing harm; can be physical or verbal.
- Frustration-Aggression Principle: Frustration from unmet goals can lead to aggression.
- Conflict: Perceived incompatibility between actions or goals of different parties.
Altruism and Helping Behavior
- Altruism: Selflessness and concern for the welfare of others.
- Bystander Effect: Individuals are less likely to help when others are present.
- Social Responsibility Norm: Obligation to help those in need.
Relationships
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Love Types:
- Passionate Love: Intense emotional attraction at the start of a relationship.
- Companionate Love: Affectionate bond developed over time.
- Equity: Fairness in rewards received based on contributions in a relationship.
- Self-Disclosure: Sharing personal information to deepen relationships.
Social Dynamics and Cooperation
- Superordinate Goals: Objectives that necessitate cooperation across group lines to achieve.
- GRIT: Strategy to reduce tension through gradual reductions and cooperation.
Cognitive and Behavioral Effects
- Mirror-Image Perception: Conflicting sides view each other as negative while perceiving themselves positively.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Expectations that influence behaviors leading to the expected outcome.
Cultural Impact
- Culture: Shared values, beliefs, and behaviors passed down through generations.
- Social Scripts: Societal guidelines for behavior in specific situations.
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Description
Test your knowledge on social psychology concepts with this quiz based on Chapter 12. Explore key theories and terms that explain how we interact with and understand one another. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their learning and comprehension.
