Intro to Social Psychology & Perceiving Individuals & False confessions Myth Flashcards
When asking college students to decide whether a convict should be eligible for probation based on a speech what were the results?
Students who were told it was for academic purposes were swayed by the reactions of the crowd- if they booed then their reaction would be negative, If they cheered then their reaction would be positive. Students who were told the person would be released in their area listened more closely to the content of the persons speech which influenced their decision.
distinguish between social and cognitive processes
Social processes are the ways in which our thoughts, feelings and actions are guided by those around us. Cognitive processes are the ways in which our memories, perceptions, thoughts, emotions and motives guide our understanding of the world and our actions.
What distances social psychology from sociology?
It attempts to understand the social behaviour of individuals
Where did ideas of social psychology originate from? Give an example of this
Greek philosophy; Plato’s ‘crowd mind’
What is sometime’s referred top the first experiment in social psychology?
One studying how swimmers and cyclists performed better when competing against rivals
What are the effects of others on performance of a task?
Often facilitates performance when individual performance is easily identified but is reduced when people can be ‘lost in a crowd.’
What caused social psychology to split from main psychology at one point
What causes behaviour- behaviourism vs thoughts and feelings in social psychology
What factors had a big influence on social psychology in the 1930’s and 40’s?
European social psychologists, where gestalt theory was prevalent, fleeing to north america from the second world war. The questions arisen from the rise of Nazism also had an impact. Anthropologists accounts of the pervasiveness of cultures effects on people’s thoughts and behaviour.
How was social psychology used during the second world war?
To find practical solutions to immediate problems; Due to lack of food and supplies the government consulted social psychologists on how to convince people to exchange steaks for kidneys and liver in their diet and to drink more milk and feed their kids cod-liver oil and orange juice.
It was also used to get troops to resist enemy propaganda, improve morale and performance and even brush their teeth regularly.
What was shown to be more effective than lectures on changing behaviour such as diet?
Discussion groups
What main theory is Kurt Lewin accredited for?
Life space theory
How did North America and asian countries differ in how they viewed behaviour?
North Americans referred to characteristics of the actor while asians gave explanations based on people’s social expectations.
What does the embodiment perspective argue?
People’s thoughts and judgements are deeply intertwined with our sensory experience and bodily movements rather than solely on abstract thought
What are the two fundamental axioms of social psychology?
People construct their own reality through cognitive and social processes and social influence is pervasive even when the people are not physically present.
What are the three motivational principles of social psychology?
People strive for mastery (understand and predict events in the social world in order to obtain rewards), seek connectedness and value ‘me and mine’ (them and the people around them in a positive manner)
What are the three processing principles of Social Psychology?
Established views are hard to change (conservatism principle), accessible informations makes the biggest impact (accessibility principle), sometimes processing is superficial, sometimes it goes into great depth (superficiality vs depth)
What is meant by a mental representation?
A body of knowledge that an individual has stored in their memory
When Elaine Walster and colleagues set up an experiment placing men and women in pairs together for talking and dancing what were the results of the experiment
Out of attractiveness, social skills, intelligence and personality difference, attractiveness was by far the biggest predictive factor for both men and women on whether the date would be interested in another one.
What effect does having a baby-face have when being chosen for certain prospects?
More likely to be chosen for a date by people who like to dominate others but less likely to be chosen for a job where mature traits like competence and leadership are required.
Describe research which indicates the influence of physical attractiveness of politicians on the outcome of elections
Students were asked to rate how competent a politician in a distant state, whom they didn’t know, was for the job and this was indicative of the actual result.
What physical traits can affect your salary?
Men taller than 6 ft 2 earn 10% more than men below 6 ft, men considered below average looking earn 10% less than men who are average and above average looking men earn 5% higher than the average looking men. At least I have a good sense of humour tho ahaha fuck me. Attractiveness in women was more important for feminine jobs than masculine jobs where it might actually be harmful.
In individualistic cultures what non verbal cues may cause someone to like you and for them to perceive you as liking them
Facing them, leaning forward, nodding while they speak and having dilated pupils
How long does it take to form non verbal impressions of people and how accurate are they?
Very quick and pretty accurate
What was the result of asking students to identify a person after hearing a 30s recording of their voice?
they identified the person from two people 75% of the time
