Ch. 14 Vocab

Question 1

the theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition

Answer 1

attribution theory

Question 2

feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events

Answer 2

attitude

Question 3

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

Answer 3

role

Question 4

the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) we feel when two of our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent

Answer 4

cognitive dissonance theory

Question 5

adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard

Answer 5

conformity

Question 6

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

Answer 6

normative social influence

Question 7

improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others

Answer 7

social facilitation theory

Question 8

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

Answer 8

social loafing

Question 9

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

Answer 9

deindividuation

Question 10

the enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group

Answer 10

group polarization

Question 11

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

Answer 11

group think

Question 12

the enduring behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next

Answer 12

culture

Question 13

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior; prescribe “proper” behavior

Answer 13

norm

Question 14

an unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members

Answer 14

prejudice

Question 15

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

Answer 15

stereotype

Question 16

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members

Answer 16

discrimination

Question 17

“Us”—people with whom we share a common identity

Answer 17

ingroup

Question 18

“Them”—those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup

Answer 18

outgroup

Question 19

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

Answer 19

scapegoat theory

Question 20

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy

Answer 20

aggression

Question 21

the tendency to favor our own group

Answer 21

ingroup bias

Question 22

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

Answer 22

frustration-aggression principle

Question 23

culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Answer 23

social script

Question 24

the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them

Answer 24

mere exposure effect

Question 25

revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others

Answer 25

self-disclosure

Question 26

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

Answer 26

altruism

Question 27

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

Answer 27

bystander effect

Question 28

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

Answer 28

social exchange theory

Question 29

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

Answer 29

reciprocity norm

Question 30

a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas

Answer 30

conflict

Question 31

mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive

Answer 31

mirror-image perceptions

Question 32

a belief that leads to its own fulfillment

Answer 32

self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 33

passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals

Answer 33

grit

Question 34

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

Answer 34

social psychology