Social Psychology

Question 1

Social Psychology

Answer 1

The scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.

Question 2

Attribution Theory

Answer 2

Suggests how we explain someone’s behavior- by crediting either situation or the person’s disposition.

Question 3

Fundamental Attribution Error

Answer 3

The tendency for observers, when analyzing another’s behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition.

Question 4

Attitude

Answer 4

Feelings, often based on our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events.

Question 5

Foot-In-The-Door Phenomenon

Answer 5

The tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request.

Question 6

Cognitive Dissonance

Answer 6

The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. For example, when our awareness of our attitudes and of our actions clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes.

Question 7

Conformity

Answer 7

Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Question 8

Normative Social Influence

Answer 8

Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.

Question 9

Information Social Influence

Answer 9

Influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality.

Question 10

Social Facilitation

Answer 10

Stronger responses on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.

Question 11

Social Loafing

Answer 11

The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.

Question 12

Deindividuation

Answer 12

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.

Question 13

Group Polarization

Answer 13

The enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations though discussion within the group.

Question 14

Groupthink

Answer 14

The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.

Question 15

Prejudice

Answer 15

An unjustifiable (and usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action.

Question 16

Stereotype

Answer 16

A generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people.

Question 17

Discrimination

Answer 17

Unjustifiable negative behavior towards a group of its members.

Question 18

Ingroup

Answer 18

“Us”- people with whom one shares a common identity/

Question 19

Outgroup

Answer 19

“Them”- those perceived as different or apart from one’s ingroup.

Question 20

Ingroup Bias

Answer 20

The tendency to favor one’s own group.

Question 21

Scapegoat Theory

Answer 21

The theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.

Question 22

Just-World Phenomenon

Answer 22

The tendency of people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Question 23

Aggression

Answer 23

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.

Question 24

Frustration-Aggression Principle

Answer 24

The principle that frustration-the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal- creates anger, which can generate aggression.

Question 25

Conflict

Answer 25

A perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.

Question 26

Social Trap

Answer 26

A situation in which the conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior.

Question 27

Mere Exposure Effect

Answer 27

The phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them.

Question 28

Passionate Love

Answer 28

An aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.

Question 29

Companionate Love

Answer 29

The deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.

Question 30

Equity

Answer 30

A condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.

Question 31

Self-Disclosure

Answer 31

Revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.

Question 32

Altruism

Answer 32

Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

Question 33

Bystander Effect

Answer 33

The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.

Question 34

Social Exchange Theory

Answer 34

The theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

Question 35

Reciprocity Norm

Answer 35

An expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.

Question 36

Social-Responsibility Norm

Answer 36

An expectation that people will help those dependent on them.

Question 37

Superordinate Goals

Answer 37

Shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.

Question 38

GRIT

Answer 38

Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction- A strategy designed to decrease international tensions.