Psych Ch. 14

• Attribution Theory

Attribution assumption or belief about why people behave a certain way Dispositional attribution - internal factors, Situational attribution - external factors, Fundamental attribution error - bias in attribution process, Actor observer effect - we see ourselves as victims, Self-serving bias - internal vs external as it suits us

• Prejudice

attitude toward another group that leads people to negatively evaluate members of the group.

• The link between attitudes and behaviors tend to

be weak

• Evaluation apprehension

concern that others are evaluating behaviors

• Physical Appearance

key factor in attraction and consideration of romantic partners.

• Cognitive Dissonance

motivated to make cognitions or beliefs consistent with behaviors and attitudes "view of the world" Engage in effort justification

• Bystander effect

tendency to avoid helping others in emergencies when others are also present and apparently capable of helping

• Conformity

Changing behavior to adhere to social norms, Often good

• Prejudice Sources

Dissimilarity - we tend to like people who share our ideas. Social conflict - Social learning - Information processing -Social categorization

• Attitudes

Enduring behavioral and cognitive tendencies that re expressed by evaluating particular people, places, or things with favor or disfavor Eg. Abortion, amnesty for illegal immigrants, religion

• Aggression, Biology, Chemistry

Genetic, Inborn reaction (hypothalamus), Testosterone

• Groupthink

Group members are influenced by group cohesiveness and a dynamic leader to ignore external realities as they make decisions Ex. Feelings of invulnerability, The group's belief in its rightness, Discrediting information contrary to the group's decision, Pressures on group members to conform, Stereotyping members of the out-group

• Mob Behavior and Deindividuation

Group members may discontinue self-evaluation and adopt group norms and attitudes

• Social Influence

How people influence the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of others. Obedience to authority, e.g deception of truth.

• Social Perception

How we form and modify impressions of others...

• Aggression, Psychological

Males tend to be more aggressive, Females tend to empathize. Freud - natural instinctive reaction to frustrations of daily life. Cognitive Psychologist - influenced by values, interpretation, and choice. Behavioral Psychologist - reinforcement. Social cognitive - observation, consciousness and choice

• Attraction-Similarity Hypotheses

People tend to develop romantic relationships with people who are similar to themselves in physical attractiveness and other traits

• Social Psychology

Studies the nature and causes of behavior and mental processes in social situations

• Polarization

Taking an extreme position

• Stereotyping

all members of a group share characteristics

• Diffusion of responsibility

feeling less obligated to help because others are present and capable

• Primacy effects -

first impression, evaluation of others

• Discrimination

hostile behaviors

• Social facilitation

person's performance is increased when other members engage in similar behaviors.

• Men

physical allure, cooking, thriftiness

• A-B problem

predicting behavior from attitudes. The problem is people do not always act according to their attitude 1. Specificity 2. Strength of attitude 3. Vested Interest 4. Accessibility

• Social group decision schemes

predicting the final outcome of group decision making on the basis of the members' initial positions. The majority wins, The truth-wins, The two-thirds majority, The first-shift rule.

• Asch Study

pressure to conform. Belonging to a collectivist rather than individualistic society, Desired to be liked by others, Lack of familiarity with task, Group size, Social support

• Women

professional status, consideration, dependability, kindness, and fondness of children

• Regency effects -

respond to the most freshly presented piece of information

• Altruism

selfless concern for the welfare of others