Social Psychology Week 4

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of social perception?

To understand social behaviors and infer motives and values (correct)

To judge others based on their appearance

To establish dominance in social interactions

To foster competition among individuals

Which type of communication is NOT considered a main channel of social perception?

Automated digital responses (correct)

Communication via mass media

Mediated interpersonal interaction

Face-to-face interpersonal interaction

What does the term 'encode' refer to in the context of non-verbal communication?

To interpret non-verbal cues and behaviors

To manipulate verbal accusations

To express or emit non-verbal behavior (correct)

To ignore body language completely

How do social norms affect physical proximity in interactions?

They dictate expectations based on situational factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of non-verbal communication?

Smiling at someone during a conversation Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of emblematic gestures in body language?

They possess specific meanings in specific cultures Signup and view all the answers

In non-verbal communication, what is the significance of eye movements?

They can be interpreted in various ways based on context Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about body language is correct?

It can communicate internal states like anxiety through adaptors Signup and view all the answers

What does the communicator reward valence theory help to determine?

The expected rewardingness of others Signup and view all the answers

What is a health halo in consumer behavior?

The perception that unhealthy products are healthy due to misleading labeling Signup and view all the answers

In correspondence inference theory, what does behavior inform us about?

The enduring personality characteristics of the individual Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes internal causes of behavior according to causal attribution theory?

Dispositional or trait-based influences Signup and view all the answers

What does a high level of consensus indicate in causal attribution?

Others' reactions to stimuli are similar to the individual Signup and view all the answers

What are temporary causal factors in Weiner’s attribution theory?

Moods or states such as tiredness or illness Signup and view all the answers

What is one component that contributes to understanding a person's behavior in causal attribution theory?

The distinctiveness of their reactions to stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'halo effect' in the context of first impressions?

Beauty is associated with positive character traits Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social perception is the ability to understand and interpret the behavior of others.
It involves inferring peoples' motives and values from their social behavior.
It is crucial for effective communication.

Communication

There are various types of communication, including:
- Face-to-face interpersonal interaction: Direct and personal communication.
- Mediated interpersonal interaction: Communication through technology, like phone calls or emails.
- Communication via mass media: Communication through broadcasted channels, like television or radio.

Non-Verbal Communication

It involves conveying messages through various modalities without using words.
Examples include facial expressions, eye movements, posture, and gestures.
Some non-verbal expressions are difficult to conceal, providing insights into a person's state or emotions.

Evolution and Facial Expressions

Facial expressions are a fundamental form of nonverbal communication.
We "encode" emotions by expressing them through facial expressions and "decode" these expressions to understand emotions.
Darwin believed that facial expressions are universal, across cultures and species.

Eye Movement

It is a vital aspect of nonverbal communication.
Different eye movements can suggest various emotional states.
- Soft gaze: liking or friendship.
- Staring: anger or hostility.
However, interpreting eye movements accurately can be challenging as they may not always reflect true feelings.

Body Language

It provides valuable information about our state.
Gestures can convey specific meanings.
- Emblems: Gestures that have established meanings within specific cultures (e.g., thumbs up, middle finger).
- Adapters: Gestures indicating internal states like anxiety (e.g., clicking pens, shaking legs).
- Illustrators: Gestures that supplement verbal communication (e.g., indicating size or position).

Physical Proximity / Contact

Distancing and personal space expectations:
- Social norms: Expectations vary based on factors such as gender, age, religion, and context.
- Idiosyncrasies: Individual preferences for physical distance.
Communication outcomes: Shaped by the "rewardingness" of the initiator, and deviations from expected behavior.
- Communicator Reward Valence: Individuals assess others' value based on factors like intelligence or attractiveness. This affects responses when expectations are violated.

Forming First Impressions

First impressions create expectations about individuals.
Health halos can influence these impressions:
- Unhealthy foods labeled as "healthy" can create deceptive health halos.
The "halo effect" suggests that attractive people are often perceived to have positive characteristics.

Attribution Theory

Attribution is the process of trying to understand the causes of behaviors.
We seek to explain both our own actions and the actions of others.
Attributing a cause allows us to better understand the individual and their behavior.

Correspondence Inference Theory

We make inferences about someone's personality based on observing their behaviors.
We assume that behaviors correspond with underlying personality traits (e.g., someone who often argues might be seen as confrontational).
However, this can be misleading as people don't always act in accordance with their true traits.

Causal Attribution Theory

It explores whether a behavior is caused by internal or external factors.
- Internal causes: Dispositional or personality-driven.
- External causes: Situational or environmentally driven.
We use three sources of information to determine cause:
- Consensus: Do others react similarly to the stimuli?
- Consistency: Does the individual react consistently to the same stimuli over time?
- Distinctiveness: Does the individual react similarly to different stimuli?

Weiner’s Attribution Theory

It involves considering factors linked to situational factors:
- Stability: Whether the cause is temporary (e.g., tiredness) or stable (e.g., personality traits).
- Controllability: Whether the individual can control the causal factor.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

Explore the concepts of social perception, communication types, and non-verbal cues in this engaging quiz. Learn how understanding and interpreting behavior can enhance effective communication in various contexts. Test your knowledge on facial expressions and their evolution as a key aspect of non-verbal communication.