Psych Questions, Module 37

How do social traps and mirror-image perceptions fuel social conflict?

A conflict is a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas. Social traps are situations in which people in conflict pursue their own individual self-interest, harming the collective well-being. Individuals and cultures in conflict also tend to form mirror-image perceptions: Each party views the opponent as untrustworthy and evil-intentioned, and itself as an ethical, peaceful victim. Perceptions can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

When are people most—and least—likely to help?

Altruism is unselfish regard for the well-being of others. We are most likely to help when we (a) notice an incident, (b) interpret it as an emergency, and (c) assume responsibility for helping. Other factors, including our mood and our similarity to the victim, also affect our willingness to help. We are least likely to help if other bystanders are present (the bystander effect).

How does being physically attractive influence others' perceptions?

Being physically attractive tends to elicit positive first impressions. People tend to assume that attractive people are healthier, happier, and more socially skilled than others are.

How does the two-factor theory of emotion help explain passionate love?

Emotions consist of (1) physical arousal and (2) our interpretation of that arousal. Researchers have found that any source of arousal (running, fear, laughter) may be interpreted as passion in the presence of a desirable person.

Why didn't anybody help Kitty Genovese? What social psychology principle did this incident illustrate?

In the presence of others, an individual is less likely to notice a situation, correctly interpret it as an emergency, and take responsibility for offering help. The Kitty Genovese case demonstrated this bystander effect, as each witness assumed many others were also aware of the event.

How does romantic love typically change as time passes?

Intimate love relationships start with passionate love—an intensely aroused state. Over time, the strong affection of companionate love may develop, especially if enhanced by an equitable relationship and by intimate self-disclosure.

How can we transform feelings of prejudice, aggression, and conflict into attitudes that promote peace?

Peace can result when individuals or groups work together to achieve superordinate (shared) goals. Research indicates that four processes—contact, cooperation, communication, and conciliation—help promote peace.

What are some ways to reconcile conflicts and promote peace?

Peacemakers should encourage equal-status contact, cooperation to achieve superordinate goals (shared goals that override differences), understanding through communication, and reciprocated conciliatory gestures (each side gives a little).

Why do we befriend or fall in love with some people but not others?

Proximity (geographical nearness) increases liking, in part because of the mere exposure effect—exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of those stimuli. Physical attractiveness increases social opportunities and improves the way we are perceived. Similarity of attitudes and interests greatly increases liking, especially as relationships develop. We also like those who like us.

How do social exchange theory and social norms explain helping behavior?

Social exchange theory is the view that we help others because it is in our own self-interest; in this view, the goal of social behavior is maximizing personal benefits and minimizing costs. Others believe that helping results from socialization, in which we are taught guidelines for expected behaviors in social situations, such as the reciprocity norm and the social-responsibility norm.

The bystander effect states that a particular bystander is less likely to give aid if: a. the victim is similar to the bystander in appearance. b. no one else is present. c. other people are present. d. the incident occurs in a deserted or rural area.

c

A happy couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary is likely to experience deep ( ) love, even though their ( ) love has probably decreased over the years.

companionate; passionate

After vigorous exercise, you meet an attractive person, and you are suddenly seized by romantic feelings for that person. This response supports the two-factor theory of emotion, which assumes that emotions, such as passionate love, consist of physical arousal plus a. a reward. b. proximity. c. companionate love. d. our interpretation of that arousal.

d

Two vital components for maintaining companionate love are ( ) and ( ).

equity; self-disclosure

The more familiar a stimulus becomes, the more we tend to like it. This exemplifies the ( ) effect.

mere exposure

People tend to marry someone who lives or works nearby. This is an example of the ( ) in action.

mere exposure effect

Our enemies often have many of the same negative impressions of us as we have of them. This exemplifies the concept of ( ) perceptions.

mirror-image

One way of resolving conflicts and fostering cooperation is by giving rival groups shared goals that help them override their differences. These are called ( ) goals.

superordinate