Social Psychology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does social facilitation refer to?

Perform well-learned tasks more effectively in the presence of others.

A business leader who welcomes a variety of opinions from subordinates and invites experts to critique her company's developing plans is most likely to inhibit which phenomenon?

Groupthink (correct)

Deindividuation

Conformity

Social loafing

Poverty and unemployment are likely to be explained in terms of personal dispositions by and in terms of situational influences by .

political conservatives; political liberals

What is illustrated by the phenomenon when passersby stop to stare when they see a cluster of people looking at the sky?

The chameleon effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is called when we adjust our behavior or thinking towards a group standard?

Conformity. Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of psychology is concerned with how people think about, influence, and relate to one another?

Social psychology. Signup and view all the answers

What does deindividuation refer to?

Loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations that fosters arousal and anonymity. Signup and view all the answers

Attribution theory was designed to account for what?

How people explain others' behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Attitudes are ________ that guide behavior.

belief-based feelings. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Milgram experiment illustrate about obedience?

People are likely to obey legitimate authority figures. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the foot-in-the-door phenomenon have?

It illustrates the destructive obedience of participants. Signup and view all the answers

How are attitudes influenced?

They are often influenced by our beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

We tend to explain the behavior of strangers in terms of and our own behavior in terms of .

personality traits; situational constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to assert personal control?

To refuse to yield to conformity pressures. Signup and view all the answers

What is group polarization?

The enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion. Signup and view all the answers

The discomfort we feel when two thoughts are inconsistent is called ________.

cognitive dissonance. Signup and view all the answers

Normative social influence arises from the desire to gain ________.

social approval. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most likely to help us empathize with others?

Automatic mimicry Signup and view all the answers

What type of attribution is Kisana making regarding her boyfriend's car accident?

A dispositional attribution. Signup and view all the answers

Why were many surprised by the results of Milgram's obedience experiments?

The 'teachers' were more obedient than most people would have predicted. Signup and view all the answers

What principle suggests we can influence our feelings by changing our behavior?

The attitudes-follow-behavior principle. Signup and view all the answers

What does it indicate when people feel pressured socially to do the opposite of what is expected?

Personal control. Signup and view all the answers

Jackson's experience with his friend illustrates what phenomenon?

The foot-in-the-door phenomenon. Signup and view all the answers

What does mood contagion refer to?

The phenomenon where one person's mood influences another's mood. Signup and view all the answers

What type of behavior do people exhibit when they engage in social loafing?

Exert less effort when pooling efforts toward a common goal. Signup and view all the answers

Researchers find that conformity to the group is more likely when all of the following occur EXCEPT?

One is made to feel secure Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Philip Zimbardo's experiment best illustrate?

The impact of role playing on attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

Which process most obviously operates in groupthink?

Group polarization Signup and view all the answers

The fundamental attribution error refers to our tendency to underestimate the impact of and to overestimate the impact of .

situational influences; personal dispositions. Signup and view all the answers

After being promoted, Jorana developed more pro-business political attitudes, illustrating the impact of ________ on attitudes.

role playing. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social Facilitation: Performing well-learned tasks more effectively in the presence of others; evident in athletes who excel in front of an audience.
Groupthink: A phenomenon inhibited by open dialogue and diverse opinions; occurs when a group prioritizes harmony over critical thinking.
Attribution Theory: Focuses on how people explain behaviors, analyzing the balance between situational and dispositional influences.
Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group settings, leading to heightened emotional states and anonymity.

Conformity: Adjusting behavior or thoughts to align with group norms; can lead to group polarization when individuals share similar opinions.
Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting thoughts, prompting attitude changes to reduce the conflict.
Normative Social Influence: Driven by the desire for social approval, influencing behavior to align with group expectations.
Automatic Mimicry: Subconsciously imitating others, enhancing social cohesion and empathy.

Behavioral Dynamics

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon: Tendency to agree to larger requests after initially complying with smaller ones, illustrated by escalating compliance in theft scenarios.
Social Loafing: People exert less effort when working collectively towards a common goal compared to individual efforts.
Mood Contagion: The tendency for an individual's mood to influence the emotions of those around them, fostering a shared emotional experience.

Obedience and Authority

Milgram's Experiment: Demonstrates that ordinary individuals can commit harmful acts when directed by perceived legitimate authority figures; backed by the shocking obedience levels of participants.
Destructive Obedience: More likely when orders come from recognized authorities, highlighting the dangers of blind compliance in social settings.

Attitudes and Role Influence

Attitudes: Influenced by beliefs and predispose responses towards people and objects; can shift based on experiences and social contexts.
Role Playing: Alters attitudes by immersing individuals in specific behaviors, as seen in Zimbardo's prison experiment showcasing the impact on self-identity.

Perception and Understanding Others

Fundamental Attribution Error: Underestimating situational factors and overemphasizing personal traits when interpreting others' actions.
Dispositional Attribution: Tendency to attribute one's own or others' actions to personal characteristics rather than situational context.

Group Dynamics and Their Effects

Group Polarization: Strengthening of group attitudes through discussion; can lead to extreme positions.
Personal Control: Asserting freedom by resisting conformity pressures, allowing individuals to maintain autonomy in group situations.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts in social psychology with these flashcards. Each card presents a term or scenario, helping you grasp the dynamics of social behavior and influence. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge before exams.