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Questions and Answers
What is the term for false beliefs that have beneficial consequences about our own abilities?
What is the term for false beliefs that have beneficial consequences about our own abilities?
Which type of attribution focuses on external factors influencing behavior?
Which type of attribution focuses on external factors influencing behavior?
What does System 1 of thinking refer to in Kahneman's Dual System theory?
What does System 1 of thinking refer to in Kahneman's Dual System theory?
Which of the following statements about psychological well-being is true according to cognitive strategies mentioned?
Which of the following statements about psychological well-being is true according to cognitive strategies mentioned?
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In the context of leadership skills, how is 'above average' perceived according to the provided statistics?
In the context of leadership skills, how is 'above average' perceived according to the provided statistics?
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What is the primary characteristic of System 2 thinking?
What is the primary characteristic of System 2 thinking?
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Which of the following best describes the fundamental attribution error?
Which of the following best describes the fundamental attribution error?
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In the context of the actor-observer bias, how do observers typically attribute the behavior of others?
In the context of the actor-observer bias, how do observers typically attribute the behavior of others?
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What was a significant finding of the Asch experiment regarding conformity?
What was a significant finding of the Asch experiment regarding conformity?
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What statement aligns with Leon Festinger's view of human rationality?
What statement aligns with Leon Festinger's view of human rationality?
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What is the primary focus of social psychologists in relation to behavior?
What is the primary focus of social psychologists in relation to behavior?
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Which question reflects an inquiry about 'the self' in social psychology?
Which question reflects an inquiry about 'the self' in social psychology?
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What does the self-serving bias entail in social psychology?
What does the self-serving bias entail in social psychology?
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Which statement best explains the relationship between the self and social media?
Which statement best explains the relationship between the self and social media?
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What role does cognitive bias play in maintaining self-esteem?
What role does cognitive bias play in maintaining self-esteem?
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According to social psychology, how does the presence of other people generally affect individual behavior?
According to social psychology, how does the presence of other people generally affect individual behavior?
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Which of the following best exemplifies a question about group dynamics?
Which of the following best exemplifies a question about group dynamics?
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Which of these concepts is least associated with understanding the self in social psychology?
Which of these concepts is least associated with understanding the self in social psychology?
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Study Notes
Social Psychology 100
- Psychology is fundamentally social, meaning our behavior is profoundly influenced by social contexts and interactions with others.
- Social psychologists study how people think about, influence, and relate to one another.
- Key questions social psychologists ask include:
- How are we shaped by others?
- How do social situations affect us?
- What are the causes of attraction and repulsion between people?
- How do groups influence our behavior and decisions?
The Self: Who Are We?
- The self is a complex and multifaceted concept, with individual experiences playing a crucial role in its development.
- The self is shaped by interactions with and perceptions of others.
- We actively manage the impressions we create on others.
- Social media influences perceptions of the self and interactions with others.
The Defense of Self
- Individuals constantly evaluate themselves, often comparing with others.
- People strive to maintain a positive self-image (self-esteem).
- Cognitive biases protect the self-esteem by distorting our view of ourselves and others.
Social Thinking (Social Cognition)
- Social cognition encompasses how people process social information, and arrive at judgments.
- Social attributions are the conclusions we make about the causes of others and our own behavior.
- Social attributions can be situational (external) factors or dispositional (internal) factors.
- There are often biases in our attributions which are made quickly and unconsciously called "fast thinking".
The Self-Serving Bias
- Individuals tend to overestimate their positive attributes.
- Successes are often attributed to internal factors while failures are attributed to external factors (bad luck, etc.).
- People tend to see themselves as above average, relative to others.
Positive Illusions
- Positive illusions are beneficial false beliefs about oneself.
- They include having excessively positive views of oneself, believing in one's ability to control events, and maintaining unrealistic optimism.
Attribution Theory
- Understanding attribution theory can lead to better comprehension of how people interpret behaviors.
- A conclusion about the cause of observed behavior is called an attribution.
- Attribution theory details that we explain other people's behavior using situational (external) or dispositional (internal) attributions.
A 'Dual System' of Thinking
- System 1: Fast, effortless, automatic; default mental processing. Used for quick decisions and judgments
- System 2: Slow, effortful, deliberative; conscious thought. Requires concentration and attention; more complex, deliberate thinking
The Fundamental Attribution Error
- The fundamental attribution error is the tendency to attribute others' behavior to dispositional (internal) factors and underestimate the influence of situational (external) factors.
- Informing oneself about factors outside of the person's control can be challenging and requires deliberative "slow thinking".
The Actor-Observer Bias
- We are often actors or observers in social situations.
- As actors, we are more aware of the circumstances that influence our behavior. As observers, we are less aware of the situational causes that influence the actions of others.
Group Dynamics
- Group dynamics involve the study of how individuals interact within groups and how groups influence behavior. Groupthink can lead to poor decision making.
The Pressure to Conform
- Individuals often conform to group consensus for acceptance.
- Social pressure can influence perceptions and behavior significantly.
The Asch Experiment
- Demonstrated the powerful tendency to conform to group opinion even when it is clearly incorrect.
- Significant conformity occurs when at least 3 other people give a wrong answer.
Conditions of Conformity
- Conformity is increased:
- Task complexity increases (ambiguous situations)
- There is at least one other person who agrees with you
- At least one other dissenting voice is present that encourages you to think independently
Conformity & Consensus
- There is an inverse relationship between group size and willingness to help in an emergency.
- More people witnessing an emergency doesn't always lead to quicker or more complete help because people tend to be in a state of uncertainty about what to do.
Types of Conformity
- Informational Conformity: Conforming based on a belief that others have the true or correct information.
- Normative Conformity: Conforming to avoid disapproval or gain group approval.
Groupthink
- Groupthink occurs when a group's desire for consensus overrides its motivation to appraise all options.
- Overlooking possible negative outcomes, considering others less intelligent/strong, not considering dissenting opinions, etc.. occurs during groupthink.
Bystander Effect
- The bystander effect refers to the decreased likelihood of help being given as more bystanders are present during emergencies.
- Individual responsibility may diffuse as the group gets larger.
Studying the 'Bystander Effect'
- Studying situational factors that influence helping behavior in actual and perceived emergency scenarios.
Helping & Group Size
- As the size of a group increases, the likelihood of an individual offering assistance decreases, and the time to help increases.
The 5-Stage Model of Helping
- Notice the event.
- Interpret the event as an emergency.
- Assume responsibility.
- Know how to help.
- Implement the decision to help.
Obedience to Authority
- Milgram's experiment explored obedience to authority figures.
- Shows that people often will obey authority figures even when acting against their personal values.
Milgram's Findings
- A substantial number of participants in Milgram's study (about 65%) administered the highest level of shock.
Conditions of Obedience
- The closer the person giving the orders was and the more removed the person receiving the orders was in proximity, the more likely people were to obey.
'Autonomy' vs. 'Agency'
- Autonomy: Individuals take responsibility for their actions.
- Agency: Individuals transfer responsibility for their actions to an authority figure. Milgram's experiment showed that people are more likely to obey when the authority is perceived as believable and legitimate.
The Stanford Prison Experiment
- This experiment highlighted the profound effects of social roles on behavior.
The 'Lucifer Effect'
- Psychological principles reveal that people under the right circumstances can do terrible things, revealing that the line between good and evil is not hard and fast.
- Situations often alter behaviors more than inherent predispositions.
Zimbardo's Legacy
- Zimbardo's studies continue to be relevant in understanding various societal behaviors.
Milgram's Legacy
- His research has raised insights into the human tendency to obey authority. It shows why it is important to maintain critical awareness.
Social Cognition & Group Conflict
- Understanding how the mind works in relation to social interaction.
- The impact, implications, and causes of group conflict.
Cognitive Pillars of Conflict
- Stereotypes: Beliefs about groups, generalized to each member
- In-group Bias: Favoring one's own group
The Availability Heuristic
- Our tendency to focus on and remember vivid examples more easily than statistics
We Are Terrible Statisticians
- Statistics show that violent extremism, regardless of perpetrator background, has killed a significantly larger number of people from other groups than from one's own group.
The 'Just-World' Fallacy
- We tend to believe that people get what they deserve, creating a bias that blames victims of injustice
Prejudice & Discrimination
- Prejudice refers to negative unjustified beliefs or attitudes toward a group.
- Discrimination is unjustified behavior directed toward a group or individual.
Prejudice is Reinforced By Multiple Cognitive Biases
- The availability heuristic, thinking habits, confirming biases, the "just-world" fallacy, and other cognitive biases are likely to be in play.
Racial Prejudice and Implicit Prejudice
- Many people claim not to be biased, but implicit prejudice, which is subtle, automatic, and unconscious bias, exists in many instances.
The Implicit Association Task (IAT)
- Demonstrates implicit prejudices by measuring response times for associating categories and social concepts
The 'Mere Exposure Effect'
- Repeated exposure to something can lead to increased liking.
A Conversation with Mahzarin Banaji
- A conversation about prejudice and related topics.
Unintentional Bias
- Unintentional biases, such as implicit bias and stereotypes, significantly affect social interactions, decision-making, and other behaviors.
Stereotype Threat
- Stereotype threat occurs when members of an out-group internalize the associated stereotypes.
Nature vs. Nurture
- The study of prejudice and bias involves examining the role of innate and learned factors in shaping behavior.
Born Biased?
- A discussion about whether humans are predisposed to prejudice from birth, or whether prejudice is learned.
A Solution? Reducing Prejudice Through Intergroup Contact
- Reducing prejudice can be achieved through creating contact that is characterized by common goals, equality, mutual respect, and other factors that encourage collaboration and understanding between groups.
Other topics include:
- Political identification, ethnic, and racial biases.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in social psychology, including cognitive strategies, attribution theories, and the dual system of thinking as described by Kahneman. This quiz covers important theories and experiments that shape our understanding of human behavior and leadership skills. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand the dynamics of social psychology.
