Psychology: Prejudice and Self-Perception

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Questions and Answers

Which statement best describes the emotional expressiveness in Asian cultures compared to Western cultures?

Asian cultures involve less openly expressive emotions than Western cultures. (correct)

Both cultures express emotions in exactly the same manner.

Asian cultures display more openly expressive emotions than Western cultures.

Western cultures are generally more reserved in emotional expression than Asian cultures.

What is the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system?

To calm the body after a threat.

To process emotions like fear and disgust.

To activate the 'flight or fight' response during stress. (correct)

To reduce heart rate and promote relaxation.

How do adrenaline injections affect a person's emotional response according to Schachter’s studies?

They universally evoke a sense of happiness.

They influence feelings based on the environmental context. (correct)

They have no significant effect on emotional perception.

They make individuals feel fear regardless of their surroundings.

What physiological misattribution occurred during the study involving men on a dangerous bridge?

Men mistook their fear as excitement for the attractive researcher. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the prefrontal cortex play in emotional processing?

It regulates and interprets emotions. Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor typically influences men's standards for a mate?

Physical attraction Signup and view all the answers

Which trait is most often prioritized by women when considering a long-term partner?

Emotional connection Signup and view all the answers

According to the Parental Investment Theory, which sex tends to have higher standards in mate selection?

Women, due to their higher investment in offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding women's criteria for sexual partners compared to men’s?

Women have similar criteria for sexual and long-term partners Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of the emotional experience?

Government influence Signup and view all the answers

What common theme is found in the preferences of gay men for mates?

Focus on physical attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

What societal factors contribute to women's lower economic potential?

Cultural suppression of female sexuality Signup and view all the answers

In the context of emotional reactions, what does the James-Lange Theory propose?

Specific bodily arousal leads to an emotional label. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Robber’s Cave experiment?

To reduce prejudice through cooperation Signup and view all the answers

In the Jigsaw method, what follows when students return to their original group?

They explain their section to each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the bystander effect?

The phenomenon where individuals feel less responsible to act in a group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes biological needs?

Basic requirements for survival Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary principle behind drive theories?

Drives are created to restore balance when needs are unmet Signup and view all the answers

What is self-serving bias?

Tendency to enhance self-esteem by attributing successes to oneself and failures to external factors. Signup and view all the answers

How do incentive theories differ from drive theories?

Incentive theories emphasize external rewards for motivation Signup and view all the answers

What is homeostasis?

The process of maintaining internal balance in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of self-handicapping?

To attribute future failures to the obstacles created. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following behaviors is NOT explained by drive theories?

Pursuing hobbies that are enjoyable Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the persistence of prejudice?

Implicit prejudice and unintentional discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'us vs them mentality' refer to?

Viewing one's own group as superior, leading to negative stereotypes against others. Signup and view all the answers

How does a self-fulfilling prophecy relate to stereotypes?

It makes behaviors conform to stereotypes due to preconceived expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What is stereotype threat?

The anxiety and fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one’s group that affects performance. Signup and view all the answers

What heuristic function do stereotypes serve?

They simplify complex social interactions into easily digestible judgments. Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone use self-handicapping?

To avoid feeling inadequate if they fail. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cannon-Bard Theory propose about the relationship between emotions and physiological responses?

Emotions and physiological reactions occur simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an outcome of the Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory?

A cognitive label helps in understanding bodily sensations linked to emotions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes primary emotions from secondary emotions?

Primary emotions are universal, whereas secondary emotions vary culturally Signup and view all the answers

Why are women generally considered more emotionally intelligent than men?

They have greater ability to express and detect emotions Signup and view all the answers

What factor primarily influences the development of secondary emotions?

Environmental influences and personal experiences Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a Duchenne smile?

It engages both the mouth and eyes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about men's emotional expression is true?

Men usually express anger more loudly and aggressively than women Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural norms influence the expression of emotions?

Cultural rules determine whether emotions are expressed openly or restrained Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attributions

People take credit for success and blame external factors for failure.

Self-Handicapping

Creating obstacles before a task to prevent self-esteem damage from failure.
Example: Getting drunk before an exam to blame failure on intoxication instead of lack of intelligence.

Prejudice/Stereotyping

Holding a general belief or assumption about ALL members of a group.

Reasons for Persistence of Prejudice

Implicit prejudice: Unintentional discrimination.
Stereotypes as heuristics: Quick judgments without full analysis.
“Blaming the victim” and scapegoating: Finding comfort in blaming others.
Us vs Them mentality: Perceive own group as superior with negative stereotypes towards other groups.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Expectations about a group influence behavior that confirms those stereotypes.
Example: A hiring manager assuming a casually dressed person is lazy and engaging less in the interview, causing the person to appear nervous and perform poorly.

Stereotype Threat

Fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one's group.
Anxiety affects performance, potentially confirming the stereotype.

Reducing Prejudice

Robber's Cave Experiment:
- Competition fuels prejudice.
- Cooperation reduces prejudice.
- Phases:
  - Separation
  - Competition
  - Superordinate goals (shared goals)
Jigsaw Classroom:
- Students in diverse groups, each covering a different section of a text.
- Expert groups formed for students with the same section to discuss.
- Return to original groups to share knowledge.
Prosocial behavior: Acts benefiting others.
Bystander effect: Less likely to help in a large group due to diffusion of responsibility.

Motivation

Desire that energizes and directs behavior towards goals.
Two categories:
- Biological needs: Hunger, thirst, sex.
- Social needs: Connection, care, achievement.

Drive Theories

The body creates a drive to restore balance when out of equilibrium.
Example: Hunger drive caused by low energy levels.

Incentive Theories

Focus on external rewards and enjoyable things.

Drive

Internal tension pushing you to act due to a need.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable body environment.
Example: Regulating temperature.

Limitations of Drive Theories

Cannot explain complex, socially influenced behaviors.
Cannot explain actions not fulfilling basic needs.

Factors Influencing Mate Preferences

Men:
- Physical attraction, confidence, personal growth, social status, masculinity.
- Standards increase based on own accomplishments.
Women:
- Traits, emotional support
- Emphasis on emotional connection and intelligence.
- Desire for long-term investments.
Intelligence:
- Women prefer slightly above average intelligence for casual dates, and higher for longer-term relationships.
- Women have lower criteria for sexual partners compared to men.
- Men have similar criteria for dates and long-term partners.

Gender Differences in Mate Preferences

Men often prioritize physical attraction, while women prioritize emotional connection and financial stability.

Sociocultural Factors Influencing Mate Preferences

Women's lower economic potential: Limited opportunities for equal earning power.
Cultural suppression of female sexuality: Expectations of shyness and modesty.

Parental Investment Theory

The sex investing more in offspring has higher standards.
Women are choosier due to a higher parental investment.
Men are more competitive in attracting partners.

Mate Preferences in Same-Sex Relationships

Gay Men:
- Similar to straight men in preferring youth, physical attraction, and de-emphasizing status and resources.
Lesbian Women:
- Preferences for youth.
- Less emphasis on attractiveness compared to straight women.

Emotions

Three Components:
- Cognitive label: Hundreds of emotions.
- Emotional expression: Facial expressions.
- Arousal: Body reactions.

Primary Emotions

Joy, anger, fear, surprise, sadness, interest/awe, disgust.

Secondary Emotions

Love, guilt, shame, embarrassment, pride, envy, jealousy.

James-Lange Theory

Specific arousal leads to labeling of that feeling.
Seeing a bear causes a heart race (arousal), which then leads to feeling scared.

Cannon-Bard Theory

Emotions and bodily reactions occur simultaneously.
Seeing a scary dog triggers both fear and a racing heart at the same time.

Schachter-Singer Two-Factor Theory

Body sensations and cognitive interpretation contribute to emotional experience.
Example: If your heart races when you see a bear, you label it as fear because the situation is scary.

Emotional Expression

Present from a young age.

Relationship Between Primary and Secondary Emotions

Primary emotions can cause complex secondary emotions.

Innateness of Emotions

Primary emotions are innate: Hard-wired facial expressions, early development, heart rate changes.
Secondary emotions are learned: Shaped by environment and experiences.

Gender Differences in Emotion

Women are more expressive, detect emotions better, and have higher emotional intelligence.
However, there is no difference in overall emotionality between genders.

Expression of Specific Emotions

Men express anger more loudly and aggressively.
Women express sadness more openly.

Fake vs. Real Smile

Real smile (Duchenne smile) engages both mouth and eyes, creating crow's feet around the eyes.
Fake smile involves only the mouth.

Cultural Differences in Emotional Expression

Cultures have social rules regarding emotional display.
Eastern cultures: Less open expression, more reserved.
Western cultures: More open and expressive.

Functionality of Emotions

Motivate specific behaviors.
Example: Fear leads to avoidance of danger, disgust leads to avoidance of contagion.

Nervous System Role in Emotions

Autonomic Nervous System:
- Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates fight or flight response, increasing heart rate, breathing, and energy.
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: Calms the body after danger, slows heart rate and promotes relaxation.
Brain: Amygdala processes emotions.
Prefrontal Cortex: Regulates and interprets emotions.
Hormonal Response: Adrenaline release.

Misattribution of Arousal Study

Men on a dangerous bridge misattributed their physiological arousal from fear to attraction towards the woman.

Schachter's Studies

Adrenaline injections influenced emotional experience based on the environment.
Happy environment = happy feelings.
Frustrating environment = angry feelings.

Emotions are shaped by surrounding circumstances:

Our feelings are influenced by our interpretation of the situation and our physiological state.

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Description

Explore key concepts in psychology related to prejudice, self-handicapping, and the self-fulfilling prophecy. This quiz delves into how beliefs, assumptions, and expectations shape our interactions with others. Test your understanding of these psychological phenomena and their implications on society.