Social Component of Psych 112

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'social psychology' primarily focus on?

The thoughts, feelings, and actions influenced by others (correct)

The influence of the environment on individual behavior

The intrinsic motivations of individuals

The biological basis of human behavior

Which of the following experiments is specifically associated with Milgram's obedience studies?

The 'shock' experiment (correct)

The Bobo doll experiment

Stanford Prison Experiment

Little Albert Experiment

According to Rousseau's perspective in social psychology, what is the nature of man?

Man is naturally good, but corrupted by society. (correct)

Man is inherently violent and aggressive.

Man is solely driven by biological instincts.

Man is indifferent to societal influences.

What is one of the key levels of explanation in social psychology mentioned in the course?

Cultural Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of the cognitive perspective in social psychology?

The role of perception in behavioral responses Signup and view all the answers

Which approach does NOT belong to the social psychology theories mentioned?

Psychoanalytic Signup and view all the answers

What does Hobbes argue about the nature of man in contrast with Rousseau?

Man is solitary, poor, nasty, and brutish. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key element of recent debates within social psychology?

Types of research methods employed Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of attributing negative behavior to internal characteristics?

Marital distress Signup and view all the answers

Which attribution style is described as explaining negative events in terms of external factors?

Optimistic attribution style Signup and view all the answers

How can attributions affect long-term health according to the content provided?

Attributing failures to internal characteristics can decrease health Signup and view all the answers

What is one way attributions can enhance a sense of control?

By attributing success to internal qualities Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, how does self-esteem relate to attributions for success?

Success attributed to internal qualities can sustain self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What did Frey and Rogner's study on hospital stays reveal about self-blame after accidents?

Those who self-blame tend to stay longer in the hospital Signup and view all the answers

What internal characteristics did men link to when explaining negative events, resulting in poorer health later in life?

Internal, stable, pervasive characteristics Signup and view all the answers

According to Heider's classification, which attribution is associated with personal effort or ability?

Internal attribution Signup and view all the answers

What is one outcome of the Actor-Observer Effect in attributions?

People attribute their own actions to external factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which level of analysis focuses on the criteria individuals use for making attributions?

Intrapersonal level Signup and view all the answers

How do Protestants typically explain Catholic violence, based on the content?

As fueled by a need for bloodlust. Signup and view all the answers

What does self-serving bias indicate about how people perceive their successes and failures?

People attribute their successes to internal factors. Signup and view all the answers

According to Kelley (1967), which factor does not contribute to making an attribution about someone's behavior?

Frequency Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes explanations given by Catholics for their own violent actions?

Fear of a retaliatory attack. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of attributions at the interpersonal level?

They focus on individual interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the intergroup level of analysis?

Comparative analysis of group violence. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is considered the major determining factor of date choice for both sexes?

Physical attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

Among heterosexual and gay men, what tends to be the most important quality sought in a partner?

Physical attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic do women prefer in potential male partners based on facial features?

Expression of dominance and small eyes Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reaction of men when approached by an attractive woman?

They typically agree to sex Signup and view all the answers

In terms of attractiveness, how do adults typically behave towards attractive children?

They show less aggression Signup and view all the answers

In which cultural context is physical attractiveness defined differently, such as viewing fat as beautiful?

Non-Western cultures Signup and view all the answers

What similarity is often a significant determinant of attraction between individuals?

Similarity in attitudes and values Signup and view all the answers

What preference do women generally have regarding the age and height of potential partners?

Older, taller men Signup and view all the answers

What effect does repeated exposure to a stimulus have on people's preferences?

It makes the stimulus more appealing. Signup and view all the answers

How did men rate women under conditions of emotional arousal according to research?

They rated women as more attractive. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately reflects gender differences in partner preferences regarding physical appearance?

Men ranked physical appearance significantly higher than women. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary finding of Dutton and Aaron's study regarding attraction in risky situations?

Men experiencing emotional arousal were more likely to ask for future contact. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mita et al. (1977) suggest about familiarity and self-image preferences?

People prefer standard photos over reversed images. Signup and view all the answers

According to Reis (1997), what factors can disrupt the positive impacts of proximity?

Personality differences and conflicts of interest. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of people reportedly met their special partner in a familiar social setting according to McKnight (1994)?

83% Signup and view all the answers

What has research shown regarding the relationship between emotional arousal and perceived attractiveness?

Emotional arousal increases perceived attractiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Overview

The social component of Psych 112 spans 3 weeks, starting on 15-9-2024.
Textbook: "Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour" by Passer and Smith (2019, 3rd Ed) published by McGraw-Hill.
Key chapters: Chapter 13 (pages 504-508, 511) and Chapter 17.

Major Experiments Covered

Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE): Discussed in lectures 7 & 8; referenced in textbooks (pages 695-696, 713).
Milgram Obedience Experiment (MOE): Explored through video recordings and slides, detailed in the text (pages 706-710, 736).

Definition: Social psychology investigates how individual thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by others' perceived or imagined states (McKnight & Sutton, 1994).
Key topics include attitudes and their changes, attribution, interpersonal attraction, social influence, prejudice, and past landmark experiments.

Dialogues and Debates

Historical Perspectives:
- Rousseau: Advocated that man is inherently good; societal institutions corrupt.
- Hobbes: Suggested man is inherently solitary and brutish without societal constraints.

Questions on what should be studied and the theories or methods used are critical and beneficial.
Emphasis on questioning assumptions leads to new ideas and theories.

Various perspectives shape the field:
- Cognitive: Focuses on perception's role in behavior.
- Learning: Examines behavior changes through experiences.
- Motivational: Looks at reasons behind actions.
- Biological: Investigates physiological influences on behavior.
- Cultural: Considers the impact of culture on psychology.

Cognitive Perspective

Perception impacts behavior responses; interpretations of actions can lead to different behavioral reactions (e.g., aggressive responses due to perceived intent).

Attribution Overview

Causal attributions impact emotions and behaviors, shaping perceptions of events (Antaki, 1984).
Heider (1958) proposed a classification of attributions into internal (personal factors) and external (environmental factors).

Measurement of Attributions

Utilization of Likert scales to assess perceptions of causality in behaviors, for example, a student scoring highly on a test.

Consequences of Attributions

Marital distress linked to internal attributions for partner's negative behaviors.
Frey and Rogner (1987) study shows a significant correlation between perceived blame and hospital stay duration post-accident (30 days vs. 20 days).
Attributional styles:
- Pessimistic: focuses on internal qualities for negative outcomes.
- Optimistic: attributes negative events to external factors (e.g., the army).
Early interpretations of experiences can affect long-term health and well-being.

Motivational Basis of Attributions

Self-esteem influenced by how individuals attribute outcomes to their internal qualities.
Internal attribution of positive behaviors enhances self-esteem, while negative behaviors can harm it.
Attributions can create a sense of control over outcomes, though may lead to victim blaming (e.g., in rape or illness contexts).

Levels of Analysis

Four levels of attribution analysis:
- Intrapersonal level: Individual criteria for analyzing information.
- Interpersonal level: Face-to-face attributions, questioning the rational nature of attributions.
- Intergroup level: Group members' explanations for behaviors.
- Societal level: Broader societal context affecting attributions.

Major Theories of Attribution

Kelley’s (1967) covariation model evaluates behavior based on:
- Consistency: Does the individual always act this way?
- Consensus: Do others act similarly?
- Distinctiveness: Is the behavior unique to specific situations?

Actor-Observer Effect

Individuals attribute their own actions to external factors while attributing others’ actions to internal characteristics.

Self-Serving Bias

Tendency to take credit for successes and attribute failures to external factors.

Group-Level Attributions in Conflict

Different group explanations for violence, e.g., Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland:
- Protestants attribute their own violence to specific circumstances and personal motives, but perceive Catholic violence as inherently brutal.
- Catholics view their violence as arising from fear and defense against external threats, reflecting a context-driven interpretation.

Proximity & Propinquity

McKnight (1994) found 83% of people met their partners in familiar social settings, highlighting the role of proximity.
Byrne discovered people often befriend those they're seated near alphabetically, indicating spatial closeness impacts social relationships.
The mere exposure effect, proposed by Zajonc, suggests repeated exposure to stimuli increases their appeal; people favor familiar faces and sounds.
Mita et al. (1977) found 70% preferred their mirror image, while 70% of friends preferred the normal photo, indicating differing perceptions of familiarity.
Reis (1997) emphasized that proximity doesn’t guarantee attraction; personality clashes and negative interactions can lead to dislike.

Emotional Arousal

Emotionally aroused individuals tend to rate others as more attractive.
White et al. (1981) found men emotionally aroused (running in place) rated women as more attractive.
Dutton & Aaron (1974) showed men on a precarious rope bridge were more likely to seek dates after interacting with a female experimenter, linking fear and attraction.

Physical Attractiveness

Physical attractiveness significantly influences relationship preferences, despite reluctance to admit its importance.
Wakil et al. (1973) ranked physical appearance as 12th for men and 22nd for women in desirable traits, yet other studies contradict this.
Green, Buchanan & Heuer (1984) noted physical attractiveness was a major factor in computer dating service choices.
Walster et al.'s study showed that greater observer-rated attractiveness led to higher likability during blind dates.
Men, regardless of sexual orientation, prioritize physical attractiveness; women tend to value psychological traits.
Whipple (2018) found 90% of men would agree to sex when approached by attractive women, inversely just 10% of women would agree with attractive men.

Benefits of Attractiveness

Attractive individuals face less aggression and are more likely to be employed.
Students perceived as attractive often receive better grades.
Ravin & Rubin (1983) analyzed decision-making in emergency situations; attractiveness can influence treatment decisions.

Preferences for Facial Features

Men prefer partners with childlike profiles, including big eyes and small features.
Women lean toward partners exhibiting dominance, preferring features like a square jaw and small eyes.

Preferences for Body Types

Men are drawn to women with medium busts and curves; women prefer men with broad shoulders tapering to a slim waist.

Preferences for Age and Height

Men typically prefer younger, shorter women, while women often look for older, taller men.

Cultural Effects on Beauty

Cultural standards for beauty vary significantly; Ingleby (1981) noted perceptions of beauty in different cultures, such as the Ainu in Japan.

Similarity

People are attracted to those with similar attitudes, values, and activities, facilitating stronger connections.
Kandel (1978) showed high school best friends often resemble each other in age, race, and academic performance.
Craddock (1990) found that couples sharing egalitarian or religious beliefs reported higher happiness levels.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the social aspects of psychology through important experiments such as the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Milgram Obedience Experiment. This quiz focuses on key chapters from the course text 'Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour' and covers critical concepts from the social psychology field. Prepare to test your knowledge on influential studies and theories.