exam 4 Flashcards
social psychologists
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
Attribution theory
the theory that we explain someone’s behavior by crediting either the situation or the person’s disposition.
fundamental attribution error
tendency for observers, when analyzing others’ behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
attitude
feelings influenced by our beliefs that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
attitudes affect actions and actions affect attitudes.
peripheral route persuasion
occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues. this method doesnt engage in systematic thinking but it does produce fast results
ex: people are persuaded to make the snap judgement to buy a product when it is endorsed by a celebrity.
central route persuasion
occurs when interested people focus on arguments and respond with favorable thoughts. occurs mostly when people are naturally analytical or involved in the issue.
this method is more thoughtful, less superficial, and more durable.
ex: advertising a car by its best features
foot in the door phenomenon
tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request. shows that actions can affect your attitude because in some circumstances doing becomes believing.
“fake it until you make it”
role
set of expectations about a social position defining how those in the position ought to behave
cognitive dissonance theory
acting to reduce the discomfort(dissonance) we feel when our thoughts (cognitions) are inconsistent. ex:
conformity
adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
normative social influence
influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
informational social influence
influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality
Stanley Milgram
performed experiments to study obedience in social psychology
social facilitation
improved performance on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others
social loafing
tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when individually accountable
deindividuation
loss of self awareness and self restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity
group polarization
the enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group
groupthink
mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives
prejudice
unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members
stereotype
generalized belief about a group of people
discrimination
unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members
just world phenomenon
tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get
ingroup
people with whom we share a common identity
outgroup
those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup