Chapter 11: Social Psychology

Confirmatory bias

- we see what we want to see Info consistent with our first impressions→ Accept Inconsistent info→ explain it away

What is out-group homogeneity and in-group heterogeneity?

-They are all the same, but there are no discernible differences (we don't like) -We may have similar beliefs, but each of us is unique (we like)

What is the Pygmalion effect?

A self-fulfilling bias within the classroom Teachers are told they will have intellectual bloomers in their classroom (they are normal) Due to belief: the students IQ's go up at the end of the year

In reference to the attitude we have towards the out-group: What are stereotypes? What is prejudice? What is discrimination?

Cognitions Emotions Behaviors

What is the jigsaw classroom?

Diverse groups are forced to collaborate, each student plays a part

What is self-serving bias?

Seeing ourselves in the best possible light. When bad things happen we blame the situation When good things happen we attribute cause to the person (ourselves)

Stanley Milgram's experiments on obedience demonstrated that a) legitimacy of authority, b) personal responsibility, c) foot-in-door (gradual escalation), d) psychological separation, and e) physical separation influence obedience. You should be able to discuss how each of these factors influence obedience

a. Experimenter knows best b. I'm not responsible for what happens, I am not in charge c. It's only a little more than last time, what could it hurt? d. Learner was in the other room e. Pleas were directed toward Experimenters

How does a) personal responsibility, b) mood, and c) the situation influence one's willingness to engage in prosocial behavior (e.g., helping others)? We are more willing to help others when...

a. No one else is around b. We are in a good mood or feel guilty c. If they really deserve or need help

Horns effect

- assuming someone has many bad traits due to evidence of them having at least one bad trait

Halo effect

- assuming someone has many good traits due to evidence of them having at least one good trait

Self-fulfilling bias

- our expectations of individuals shape their behavior A friend tells you that someone else is a jerk→ you are mean to that person→ they are mean back to you→ you initial expectation is confirmed

Fundamental-attribution error (i.e., the actor-observer bias)

- we attribute the cause of behavior due to either the person or the situation

What is cognitive dissonance? How do we deal with cognitive dissonance? What does it have to do with attitude change? What happens if we prevent someone from having a stress response?

-distress aroused by inconsistency between our important attitudes and behaviors (Ex: being two faced) >Rationalization: argue that there is no inconsistency >Change attitude/behavior: bring attitude and behavior in line with each other -They don't change if it's blocked (Ex: drugs)

How does classical/operant conditioning, observational learning, and evolved cognitive mechanisms influence the learning of attitudes?

>Classical- associating a room (cool/comfy to hot/uncomfy) with an experimenter >Operant- boys liking to play with toy guns because they are rewarded for playing with male appropriate toys. >Observational- if your parents smoked growing up, you may have positive attitudes toward it >Evolved- preferring sweet tasty foods because they are high in calories (energy)

How does commitment and embeddedness influence the strength of attitudes?

>Commitment- high level→ believe arguments that support it & explaining away arguments against it >Embeddedness (personal relevance)- attitudes closely tied to your self-concept (how you define yourself), it is very difficult for you to change it (it would force yourself to change they way you look at yourself)

How does selective avoidance and selective exposure influence attitudes?

>Selective avoidance- directing attention away from information that challenges our preexisting attitudes. >Selective exposure- exposing ourselves to things that further confirm our beliefs

Attitudes consist of 3 components. What are they?

Cognition Emotion Behavior

What is the difference between forced compliance and induced compliance? Which creates more cognitive dissonance and why?

Induced: you are encouraged however not forced Forced: they must/it's required Induced compliance creates more cognitive dissonance because they have greater difficulty rationalizing their behavior

How does pointing out hypocrisy in one's attitude influence attitude change?

It can lead them to have cognitive dissonance. They become motivated to change their attitude or behavior.

In explaining our behavior, what accounts for our tendency to make reference to the situation?

Its easier to come up with situational causes because we have all the information (we know if we had a bad day or not)

How does argument complexity influence your perception of someone's expertise?

Most people find high complexity testimonies to be more credible We can't understand→ ^ their credibility

What are the two reasons we conform?

Normative- we don't want to be rejected for being different (we want to be liked) Informative- We want to be right

What is the minimal intergroup paradigm? What does it tell us about our "us vs. them" mentality?

Randomly determined groups, artificial groups, short-term groups, involved no contact between group members Ex: Robbers Cave Experiment It shows the low threshold needed to activate the "us vs. them" mentality

How does culture influence the fundamental-attribution error (i.e., the actor-observer bias)?

Some tend to be individualistic (blame the person) - the US Some tend to be collective (blame the situation) - China

The source, the message, and the audience all influence attitude formation and change. Explain how each of these relates to attitude formation and change?

The Sources- we are more likely to listen to certain people The message- we are more likely to listen to arguments if they are two sided The audience- for attitude to change, the audience has to be open minded

What is the "less leads to more" effect?

The less you're able to rationalize, the more you're forced to change attitude

In the Robber's Cave experiment, how did the experimenters ultimately relieve tension between groups?

They had to figure out a way to force the two groups to collaborate→ no longer engaged in the "us vs. them" mentality

What is self-monitoring and how is it related to being a social chameleon?

We act the way others want us to (acting differently around different people). Social chameleons are able to blend into any social context.

What is social categorization? What are the 3 most common social categories?

We make assumptions concerning behaviors and beliefs Age, Sex, and Race

How does knowing someone influence the fundamental-attribution error (i.e., the actor-observer bias)?

We tend to make reference to the situation