chapter 16

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

the theory that we explain someones behavior by crediting either the situation or the persons disposition.

Question 3

Fundamental attribution error

Answer 3

the tendency for observers, when analyzing anthers behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition.

Question 4

Attitude

Answer 4

feelings , often influenced by or beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to object, 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 theory

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 ones behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Question 8

Normative social influence

Answer 8

influence resulting from a persons desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.

Question 9

Informational social influence

Answer 9

influence resulting from ones willingness to accept others opinions about reality.

Question 10

Norm

Answer 10

an understood rule for accepted and expected behavior. norms prescribed proper behavior.

Question 11

Social facilitation

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Social loafing

Answer 12

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 13

Deindividuation

Answer 13

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

Question 14

group polarization

Answer 14

the enhancement of a groups prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group

Question 15

Prejudice

Answer 15

an unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members. prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings and predisposition to discriminatory action.

Question 16

group think

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Stereotype

Answer 17

a generalized belief about a group of people.

Question 18

ingroup

Answer 18

“us” people with whom we share a common identity.

Question 19

outgroup

Answer 19

“them” those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup

Question 20

ingroup bias

Answer 20

the tendency to favor our own group

Question 21

Scapegoat theory

Answer 21

the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger providing some one to blame it on.

Question 22

Just world phenomenon

Answer 22

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

Question 23

agression

Answer 23

any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt of destroy

Question 24

Frustration agression 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

Social exchange theory

Answer 27

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

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 whom our lives are intertwined

Question 30

equity

Answer 30

a condition in which people recieive 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

Bystandard effect

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Superordinate goal

Answer 34

shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation

Question 35

Grit

Answer 35

graduated and reciprocated initiatives in tension reduction a strategy designed to decrease international tensions