Chapter 14: Social Behavior Flashcards
(52 cards)
scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to each other
social psychology
examining the group - unit of analysis is the group
sociology
unit of analysis of an individual- how an individual behaves when they are apart of a group
social psychology
evolutionary benefits of living in social groups:
- protection against predators
- cooperation to complete tasks
- child rearing
- social facilitation
- social loafing
presence of others improves one’s performance on a well learned task
social facilitation
presence of others causes one to relax and slack off
social loafing
tendency to adjust behavior to what others are doing or to adhere to norms of culture
conformity
rules about acceptable behavior imposed by cultural context in which one lives
social norms
conformity because one views others as sources of knowledge about what one is supposed to do
informational social influence
conformity in order to be accepted by others or avoid rejection
normative social influence
study on conformity example:
the line test
individuals are most likely to conform when:
- feel incompetent/insecure
- group has 3 or more people
- everyone else in the group agrees
- admire group’s status and attractiveness
- haven’t made prior commitment to response
- know others in group will observe our behavior
- belong to collectivist culture
thinking of the group takes over, so much that the group members forgo logic or critical analysis of reaching decision (mob mentality)
groupthink
symptoms of groupthink
- illusions of vulnerability
- self-censorship
- pressure on dissenters to conform
- illusion of unanimity
how to minimize groupthink
- reward doubt/dissent
- protects minority opinions
- asks for as many ideas as possible
- has group members think of disadvantages of proposed decision
when smaller group of individuals in a larger group shift majority opinions by presenting a consistent, unwavering message
minority social influence
type of social influence in which person yields to will of another person, complying with demands
obedience
obedience vs conformity
obedience: follow instructions of authority figure
conformity: trying to blend in and doing what everyone else is doing
obedience is highest when:
- person giving orders is in close proximity
- authority figure perceived to be associated with prestigious institution
- victim was depersonalized/distant
- no models for defiance
- foot-in-the-door phenomenon (can gradually increase what I’m asking you to do)
inferences made about cases of other people’s behavior
attribution
assume someone is a bad driver if they cut you off
attribution
inherent to the person (cut off in traffic –> they are always a bad driver
dispositional attribution
external to the person (cut off in traffic –> “I didn’t see the other car, but if I would have I wouldn’t have cut in front of them”
situational attribution
situational attributions for our failures but dispositional attributions for our success
self-serving bias
