Social Psychology Experiments Overview

Study Notes

Milgram's experiment demonstrates how individuals obey authority figures, even when it conflicts with their personal morals.
The experiment involved a professor asking questions and administering electric shocks when the participant answered incorrectly.
This experiment revealed the powerful influence of authority.

Asch's experiment explores how people conform to group pressure, even when they know the answers are wrong.
Participants were placed in a group of actors who provided incorrect answers, and the experiment measured how the participant would conform.
This experiment highlights how social pressure can influence individual decision-making.

Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment showcases how people adapt to assigned roles, revealing the immense power of social roles on behavior.
In the experiment, participants were randomly assigned as prisoners or guards, and the study observed how their behavior changed based on their roles.
It demonstrates how social roles shape individuals' perception of themselves and others.

Life positions are defined by how individuals view themselves and others.
- (++): Joy/Happiness: Individuals with this life position have a healthy mindset and foster respect, leading to positive communication.
- (+ -): Anger: Individuals with this life position tend to have a superiority complex, often causing conflict.
- (- +): Fear: Individuals with this life position experience an inferiority complex, leading to dependence on others.
- (- -): Sadness/Depression: Individuals with this life position generally have a negative outlook and tend to disengage from social interactions.

Ingroup refers to individuals you feel connected and share a sense of similarity, leading to a greater sense of trust.
Outgroup refers to individuals that are perceived as different from you, leading to a reduction in trust and increased potential for discrimination.
This distinction can lead to discrimination, both direct and indirect, such as favoring members of your ingroup.

The Implicit Association Test is a valuable tool in psychology measuring unconscious biases.
It assesses the strength of associations between different concepts by measuring how quickly individuals can connect words and images.

Attitudes are comprised of three components:
- Cognitive: Beliefs related to the attitude
- Affective: Emotional component of the attitude
- Behavioral: How a person intends to behave toward the object of the attitude

Fundamental Attribution Error: Occurs when we blame people for their actions instead of considering external factors.
Self-Serving Bias: Tendency to attribute success to internal factors, while failures are blamed on external influences.

Dan Pink's Motivation Theory emphasizes autonomy, mastery, and purpose as essential elements for intrinsic motivation.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Reinforcement Theory explains how needs and consequences drive behavior.
McClelland's Theory of Needs focuses on achievement, power, and affiliation as key motivators.