Social Psychology Concepts Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does the proximity effect suggest about interpersonal relationships?

Relationships are built solely on shared interests.

Frequent exposure to a person increases the likelihood of liking them. (correct)

Physical attractiveness is the most important factor in relationships.

People are more likely to form relationships based on financial status.

Which theory emphasizes that societies organize themselves based on group hierarchies?

Equity theory

Social dominance theory (correct)

The matching hypothesis

Social exchange theory

According to Dunbar, what is a factor that influenced the evolution of the human brain?

Competition for resources

Increased trade activities

Technological advancements

Living in larger social groups (correct)

What does the comparison level for alternatives refer to in social exchange theory?

The realistic assessment of potential outcomes from other options. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of Sternberg's Triarchic model of love?

Multiple components interact to create different types of love. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of aggression occurs when the aggressor remains hidden?

Indirect aggression (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory posits that aggression results from a weak ego?

Psychoanalytic theory (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to reciprocal altruism, why would an individual help another?

With the expectation of future help (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by negative reinforcement in the context of aggression?

Stopping an unpleasant experience by performing an action (C) Signup and view all the answers

Hamilton’s rule suggests that assistance is warranted when?

The cost to fitness is outweighed by the benefit multiplied by relatedness (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between equity and equality in the context of relationships?

Equity involves actions based on received benefits, while equality means gifts of equal value. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes polygyny?

One male with several females. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'inter-sexual selection' refer to in evolutionary theory?

Preference exhibited by the opposite sex for certain traits. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of modeling in gender behavior?

Learning theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the 'activation effects' of testosterone?

Effects that are consistent throughout life but vary at different stages. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the biosocial model of gender explain?

How biological and social processes interact to shape gender roles. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the sociocultural approach explain gender behavior in children?

Children learn gender behaviors from parents, media, and society. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the interactionist perspective view gender identity and behavior?

Social factors interact with genetic influences to shape behaviors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Tinbergen's Levels of Explanation

Tinbergen's levels of explanation analyze a trait's causes at multiple levels: ultimate (function and evolution), proximate (mechanisms and development), ontogeny (development), and phylogeny (evolutionary history)

Tajfel's Minimum Group Paradigm

Tajfel's research studied intergroup perceptions and behavior, finding minimal group differences are enough to create bias and prejudice (people favor those in their own group).

The Matching Hypothesis

People are more likely to form committed relationships with others of equal social desirability.

Societies organize themselves with social hierarchies based on group dynamics.

Proximity Effect

Simple exposure to a stimulus or person increases liking.

WEIRD Samples

WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) samples often bias studies, creating limited generalizations.

Dunbar's Hypothesis

Dunbar suggests living socially was important in human brain evolution, emphasizing the significance of human sociality.
Dunbar's number (150) is a proposed optimal group size based on brain size.

Sternberg's Triarchic Theory of Love

Sternberg's theory proposes different kinds of love, combining three components (intimacy, passion, commitment) to create various types of love, ranging from liking (intimacy alone) to consummate love (intimacy, passion, and commitment).

Social exchange theory explains relationships based on rewards and costs. Attractiveness is influenced by these factors.

LT-Couples Attractiveness

Long-term couples are, ideally, equally attractive.

Equity Theory

Partners in relationships seek balance and fairness in the exchange of resources and contributions.
Inequity leads to distress, and partners may act to restore balance.
Equality means giving gifts of equal value.
Equity means contributing proportionately to the benefits received.

Human Mating Patterns

Humans exhibit various mating patterns, including monogamy (one male, one female), polygyny (one male, several females), polyandry (one female, several males), and promiscuity (no bonded relationships).

Sex is not Dichotomous

Sex is nuanced rather than binary (XO, XXY).
The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) measures masculinity and femininity.

Conformity to gender roles is based on expectations, cultural pressures, and learned behaviors from observation.
Social roles influence gendered behavior.

Learning Theory in Gender

Gender stereotypes develop through rewards and punishments.
Children learn through observation and modeling.

Learning gender behaviors through observation and modeling.

People define their identity through their group memberships.

Gender Schema

The gender schema theory proposes that individuals develop gender schemas to understand and categorize people and events. This filters how people process information.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Aggression

Heritability plays a role in aggressive tendencies (roughly 40-50%).
People's perceptions of ambivalent events are often shaped by others: pluralistic ignorance.
Diffusion of responsibility occurs when individuals feel less responsible for intervening when aggression occurs in a group.
Negative reinforcement supports aggressive behaviors if actions stop undesirable occurrences.
Reciprocal altruism describes the practice of helping others with the expectation of reciprocation.
Hamilton's rule suggests that helping others is advantageous, but benefits must outweigh the individual cost.

Costs and Benefits of Success (Aggression)

Cost of injury is less than the benefit of success in many cases.

Psychoanalytic Theories of Aggression

Freud's concept of the id, ego, and superego apply to aggression.
Aggression can be a result of a weak ego.

Frustration-Aggression Theory

Frustration can lead to aggression, as interference with a goal leads to negative feelings.

Cognitive Neo-Associationist Theory

Negative events (frustration, pain) can elicit quick emotional responses (anger or fear).
These emotional reactions can be influenced by additional cues and memories.
Cultural factors can influence these responses and actions.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts in social psychology, including Tinbergen's levels of explanation, Tajfel's Minimum Group Paradigm, and the Proximity Effect. Explore theories related to group dynamics, relationships, and societal structures. Test your knowledge on how these principles shape human behavior and social interactions.