3. Lectures 6, 7 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are the 2 ways to study social psychology?
Their pros and cons?
Laboratory studies conducted in labs
Standardized conditions
Pros: efficient, easy to get informed consent
Cons: artificial, demand characteristics, usually non random sample
Field studies carried out in real-life setting
Little control
Pros: diverse sample, observe real behaviour
Cons: sloppy, able to get informed consent?
Ex: anxiety in mirrored exercise settings
What are experimental studies?
They answer cause-effect questions One variable (independent variable) has direct causal influence on another (dependant variable) Includes manipulation of IV and random assignment
What are non-experimental case studies?
Do not allow for cause-effect
Experimental studies not always possible
Correlation studies tell us that 2 variables are related
Correlation does not equal causation
Who is Norman Triplett?
1890s
First sport specific social psychology experiment
Why do cyclists ride faster in groups/pairs vs alone?
Examined the effects of others of performance
Groundwork for social facilitation theory
What is Muzafer Sherif‘s Robbers Cave study?
1950s
Important for psychological understanding of groups (conflict, prejudice, stereotypes, competition)
Famous study looked at inter group conflict and competition
Showed that inter group conflict can trigger competition, prejudice, and discriminatory behaviour
What is social influence?
Real or imagined pressure to change ones behaviour, attitude, beliefs
Social influence can have negative effects or positive effects
What are the 5 sources of power?
Legitimate power- based on ones socially sanctioned claim to a position/role that gives them the right to require and demand compliance
Expert power- derived from subordinates assumption that the power holder possesses superior skill
Reward power- having control over the distribution of rewards given to individuals
Coercive power- having ability to punish/threaten others who don’t comply with requests/demands
Referent power- based on ones identification with, attraction to, or respect for the power holder
What is Milgram’s obedience experiment?
Looked at obedience toward authority
65% people delivered max shock
Replications of experiment with modifications usually resulted in somewhat lower compliance (experimenter gave instructions over phone instead of face to face)
Still 30% delivered max shock
What is social support?
Refers to the perceived comfort, caring, assistance, and information that a person receives from others
Must consider:
The size of ones social network
The amount of social support provided
The type of social support provided
What is instrumental support?
Includes tangible, practical assistance that will help a person achieve goals
Ex: fitbit, spotting weightlifter at gym, take car of friend baby while she exercises
What is emotional support?
Occurs through expressions of encouragement, caring, empathy, concern toward a person
Ex: cheer at sports games, sympathize when someone complains about aching muscles
What is informational support?
Includes giving directions, advice, or suggestions, and providing feedback regarding progress
Ex: receive info from health practitioners and fitness trainers, coach provides feedback on learning new skill
What is companionship support?
Reflects availability of persons within ones social network
Produces positive affect and can distract people from negative exercise-related feelings (fatigue, boredom)
Ex: the availability of a friend to exercise with
What is validation support?
Involves comparing oneself with others in order to gauge progress and confirm that ones thoughts, feelings, problems, and experiences are normal
Ex: people with heart dies ease exercising in groups of people with heart disease because it gives them a sense of “if they can do it, so can I”
What is social power in the family?
Pressuring family members to be more active can lead to decreased physical activity
Making family members feel guilty for their inactivity can lead to decreased physical activity
How can rewards be helpful?
Have powerful determinant of action
Ex: incentives or rewards for attendance to exercise program ( t shirts, money)
Employers paying part of exercise program cost
Encourages initial attendance or adherence, but not effective in long term
What is social support in family?
Increases exercise intentions and exercise adherence
Among children and youth, social support from parents and other family members are one of most important determinants of physical activity
Instrumental support- provides transportation
Emotional support- encouragement
Informational support- instruction on new activities
Companionship support- participating
What is social support from professionals in exercise environments?
Important for continued participation in exercise program
Provide multiple types of social support
Leadership style is key
Socially supportive vs socially blind
Socially supportive associated with individuals having more energy and enthusiasm, less fatigue, more enjoyment, stronger exercise intention
What is personality?
The overall organization of our psychological characteristics- thinking feeling and behaving- that differentiates is from others and leads us to act consistently across time and situations
Simply… an individuals unique, but consistent, psychological make-up
What are the 3 approaches to the study of personality?
- Biological theories
- emphasis on the person - Trait theories
- emphasis on the person - Interactionist theories
- emphasis on the interaction between the person and environment
What are biological theories of personality?
Links personality with biological processes
Emphasizes the person; mind-body connection
William Sheldon’s constitutional theory
- certain somatotypes predispose individuals toward behavioural consistency
- originally strong relationships (0.7+ correlation) between body types and associated personality characteristics
- more recent research shows small to moderate relationships (0.3-0.4 correlation)
What is Sheldon’s constitutional theory?
3 types
Ectomorph- linear, tall, lean
Cerebrotonia personality- tense, introvert, inhibited, socially restrained
Endomorph- plumpness, roundness
Viscerotonia personality- affectionate, sociable, relaxed, cheerful
Mesomorph- inverted triangle shape, athletic body
Somatotonic personality- adventurous, risk-taking, aggressive, take charge
Slide 7 lecture 7
What are trait theories of personality?
Personality traits- relatively stable, highly consistent, internal attributes
Hans Eysenck’s P-E-N personality theory (1960)
- psychoticism-superego: hormonal function leads to heightened aggressiveness, impersonal attitudes and antisocial behaviour
- extraversion-introversion: bass level arousal in cortex dictates whether or not people avoid stimulation or seek out further stimulation
- neuroticism-stability: associated with limbic system and sympathetic nervous system
What are introverts and extroverts?
Introverts- individuals avoid further stimulation in base level arousal in cortex
Higher base levels so don’t need more arousal
Extroverts- individuals seek out further stimulation in base level arousal in cortex
Lower base levels so they seek more arousal
