Notes Social Psychology Flashcards
(129 cards)
1
Q
Define Self Concept
What 3 factors make it up?
A
Theory of how we relate (personality), experience (traits), and function (behavior) within a vast range of significant experiences and contexts.
Made up of ABC- Affects (Emotions), Behavior (Actions), Cognition (Thoughts)
2
Q
William James’ Self Concept Theory
What makes it up?
A
“I” - Consciousness
- Observer - Evaluating - Subjective Awareness
“Me” - Self- concept
- Observed
- Empirical
- Made up of self- representations: Social. Material, and Spiritual understandings
3
Q
A. What is thinking?
A
Making sense of the world
4
Q
A. What do we think in terms of
A
Concepts and Categories
5
Q
A. Define Concept
A
Mental representation of real thing
6
Q
A. Define Category
A
How we group these mental representations in our minds
7
Q
A. Cognitive Processes that we undergo
A
Categorization (A), Reasoning/ Rationalization (B), Problem Solving (C), and Decision Making (D)
8
Q
A. How does thinking happen
A
Integrate Perception and Memory
9
Q
A. 4 Theories of Thought (How do we process information and categorize it)
A
- Necessary (must be true to belong) and Sufficient (if true, proves it belongs to category)
- Family Resemblance- similarities, not clone though
- Prototype Theory- compare to “best” member of category
- Exemplar Theory- compare new instance with stored memories of other
10
Q
A. How are prototypes and exemplars processed (where in brain)?
A
- Category-specific organization = innate, no need for visual experiences.
- Prototypes: Left, Visual Cortex
- Exemplars: Right, Prefrontal Cortex
11
Q
Vision or Language for memory?
A
- Verbal> Visual
-Language Capacity is
central for memory
encoding.
12
Q
What is working self concept?**
A
- Situation draws different subset of self.
13
Q
Define emotion
A
Ubiquitous, immediate response to a stimulus. I subjective (+ or -), and causes physiological activity
14
Q
What three factors make up an emotional response?
A
- Cognitive
- Physiological
- Phenomenological
15
Q
What do emotions provide to others?
A
- Behavior patters- People experience and identify others’ emotions (mimicry).
- Communications- voice, body, face show emotional state.
16
Q
What are the three purposes of emotions in our lives?
A
- Adaptive- fight or flight
- Cognitive- decision making
- Relationships- Interpersonal. Cultures have different “display rules,” and honesty/dishonesty is hard to tell apart.
17
Q
How are emotions produced?
A
Interaction of the cortex and amygdala.
Stimulus ->
amygdala (interprets) -> cortex (comprehensive analysis), may downgrade amygdala reaction
18
Q
What are three theories for how these factors interact? Are they right?
A
- James–Lange= Stimulus> Physiological>
Phenonenological - Cannon–Bard=
Stimulus>
Physiological and Phenonenological (separate, simultaneous) - Schacter-Singer (Two-Factor)= Stimulus> Physiological> Cognitive Interpretation> Phenonenological
- None are entirely right (3 is the best)
19
Q
Self- Esteem
A
FEELINGS about ourselves.
How we see ourselves, shaped how others see us
20
Q
How is motivation related to behavior?
A
Motivation drives behavior
21
Q
How does motivation drive behavior? (3)
A
Activates, Sustains, and Directs
22
Q
Motivation is related to _____
A
Reinforcement
23
Q
Types of Motivation (Broad Categories in notes)
A
- Physiological = Homeostasis (regulate)
Made of: Instincts, Needs, Drives - Cognitive = Goal/Expectation
Made of: Intrinsic (self-rewarding) and Extrinsic (rewarded)
24
Q
Social Cognition
A
Make sense of oneself, the world, and our reality
25
Commonsense psychology
Always trying to understand/construct meaning.
26
Environmental and Personal factors are _____ related
inversely
27
What is the process of "Cognizing" the World (4) (AIJM)
1. Attention
2. Interpretation
3. Judgement
4. Memory (encoding)
28
We are ______ ________ when processing info
Motivated Tacticians
29
What are three ways we are Motivated Tacticians?
1. Manage self-image- self-serving bias
2. Conserve effort- heuristics (not algorithm)
3. Accuracy- CDC
30
The first way is Managing Self Image. How do we do that (3)?
- Confirmation bias and Belief perseverance- look for things that agree with beliefs
- Self- serving bias
31
**Self serving bias**
Want to see ourselves positively
Take credit for good; downplay success
Extreme- narcissism
32
What 3 factors that influence how we self serve?
- Tendency to see oneself favorably
1. Objective vs. Subjective
2. Public vs. Private
3. Aschematic vs. Schematic
33
**How is self-serving bias manifested?
| (3 ways)**
1. Self-enhancing- want +
2. Self-effacing- distance -
3. Counter defensive- distance + , accept
34
**What are 4 outcomes of self-serving bias?**
1. Fundamental attribution error: hold others to different standards than ourselves.
2. Actor- observer divergence: ?
3. False consensus: overestimate agreement w/ beliefs
4. False uniqueness: underestimate agreement w/ "special" quality/talent
35
Why do we self-serve?
- We want to be higher subjective well-being, and avoid negatives.
36
Second way is Conserving Effort. What are four ways we do this? Why?
1. Availability heuristics: choose easiest to recall (familiarity)
2. Representativeness heuristics- choose one closest to your prototype
3. Ignoring base-rate information: choose frequency (1 of 100) over probability (1%)
4. Conjunction fallacy- choose 2 events together over a single event
- We place way too much value on OUTCOMES
37
3rd is Accuracy. Explain it.
- JUDGING OTHERS- Info can be used and explained SYSTEMATICALLY
38
Give a theory on how we are Accurate when making Judgements
- Covariaton/Attribution theory:
"Jack and Jill"
1. Consistency- Often?
2. Distinctiveness- Same with all?
3. Consensus- Others?
39
Do cognitions always lead to behavior? Vise versa? Or both?
Not always, it's a little of both.
40
Give examples of Situational moderators.
- Constraints
| - Choice
41
Give examples of Attitudinal moderators
- Origins
- Strength
- Specificity
42
Give examples of how behaviors can lead to cognitions (3):
1. Foot in the door phenomenon-
small favor -> big request
2. Roles we have to play in life
3. Gradual escalation- gradually getting people to do things can change their values and cognitions
43
_____ is the affective component of Attitudes.
LIKING
44
What do we do when we like someone?
Agree with them and spend time with them.
45
Name the 5 Factors that predict what we like:
Proximity, Familiarity, Similarity, Attractiveness, Reciprocity
46
Define Attitudes
Evaluation of any aspect in our world
47
Define Conformity and Give 3 Examples
- Change in overt behavior caused by real/ imagined pressure from others
- Compliance,
- Obedience,
- Acceptance
48
What are the 5 factors that influence conformity?
1. Social Roles- expecations for us
2. Social norms- "rules"
3. Status- lower = conform more
4. Cohesiveness- attractiveness of group
5. Unanimity- odd one out
49
Define social norms. Give 2 categories.
Standards for behavior that are widely shared by members of a culture (approval motive part).
- Descriptive: what SHOULD be done
- Informational: what MUST be done
50
What does inconsistency between attitudes and beliefs cause?
Cognitive dissonance, which is an unpleasant state that arises when a person recognizes the inconsistency of his or her actions, attitudes, or beliefs
51
To alleviate cognitive ______, people often change one of these things in order to achieve consistency:
dissonance;
-attitudes, beliefs, actions
52
What are 3 examples of negative attitudes? How do they link up with ABC?
1. Stereotype- generalized Belief (COGNITION)
2. Prejudice- generalized feeling (AFFECT)
3. Discrimination- generalized actions (BEHAVIOR)
53
Why do we form negative attitudes?
1. Conserve effort- don't get to know others
2. Gain material benefit for our group
More scarcity = more prejudice
54
What are the 2 levels of stereotypes?
1. Categorization- Fit in a category in our minds
| 2. Inferential- Shapes how we interact with person, we infer how they will be and act (bias/prejudice).
55
In what situation are we most likely to resort to stereotyping to make a decision?
When there is Complexity, Overload, and Time Pressure.
56
What do stereotypes provide us with (SIEE)?
- Expectations- what they'll be like
- Interpretations- so that it fits
- Explanations- for what we see
- Standards- for certain people (useful, but wrong)
57
Stereotypes influence
| judgements through perceived ____-_______ homegenity effect.
out- group
58
What is out-group homogeneity effect?
- Makes out-group look similar (homogeneous)
- Our group stays the same
- Sharpens the between-group differences
59
Why does intergroup contact work to deal with stereotyping?
- Contact with out-group members that have traits which counter the negative stereotype
- Contact supported by community/norms
- Equal status groups
- Contact is at individual level
- Contact= rewarding
- Superordinate goal to work towards together*
60
Which part of this intergroup contact is the most effective?
Having a superordinate goal
61
Are these techniques to reduce stereotyping effective?
Not always effective
62
Define Aggression
Action intended to harm another
63
Give 2 types of aggression
1. Hostile- anger based
| 2. Instrumental- achieve a means
64
What are means people use to display aggression?
- Directly- in your face
| - Indirectly- behind your back
65
Theories of Aggression:
1. Dollard:
Frutration -> Always leads to -> Aggression
2. Berkowitz:
Pain/Frustration/Unpleasant Experience -> Negative Emotion -> Aggression
66
What does the Modern Theory of Aggression claim about causes of aggression?
- There is no single causal factor
| - Models draw on a variety of different factors
67
What is a name for a new aggression model
General Affective Aggression model (Anderson)
68
(Ag) Modern Aggression Model:
Input Variables -> Internal Processes -> Behavior
69
(Ag) Name Input Variables
Personal, Social, Situational
70
(Ag) Give examples of internal processes
Arousal, Emotional, Cognition
71
(Ag) What happens in between internal processes and Behavior?
Appraisal Process
72
(Ag) Give examples of behavior
Aggressive, Non-aggressive
73
Define Personality
Enduring patterns of behaving, thinking, and feeling that we express in different contexts.
74
Another word for personality? (not nice)
"Mask that we wear"
75
Name 2 approaches to studying personality?
1. Ideographic- looks at individuals in detail and uniqueness.
2. Nomothetic- Looks at large group and drawing inferences.
76
Name techniques to determine personality and their efficacy
SELF- REPORT:
1. MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)-2-RF:
Questionnaire that assess personality and psychological problems.
+ Inaccurate
PROJECTIVE TESTS:
1. Rorschach Inkblot Test- inner thoughts revealed in how they respond to inkblots.
2. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)- people's motives/concerns seen in stories they tell about pics.
+ More info/ subject
to interpreter bias
77
What are the 4 main approaches that scientists have used to study personality? Name the scientists that used them.
1, Psychodynamic Theory- Freud
2. Social Cognitive Approach- Behaviorists
3. Trait Theory- Eysenck
4. Humanists- Carl Rogers
78
Define Psychodynamic Theory
Freud: Personality is formed by needs. striving, and desires operating outside of awareness. Can produce emotional disorders--> Push and pull of internal hydraulics
79
- What type of approach did Freud use to study it?
| - What is the fundamental assumption of this theory?
- Clinically based- "Ideographic Approach"
| - We are IRRATIONAL beings at our core
80
Name the 4 Models in the Psychodynamic Approach
1. Topographic Model of Mental Processes
2. Drive/Instinct Model of Motivation
3. Developmental Model
4. Structural Model
81
Topographic Model of Mental Processes (3)
- Conscious- rational/goals
- Preconscious- gateway
- Unconscious- irrational/repressed goals/associative
82
Drive/Instinct Model of Motivation.
- What drives it?
- Instinctive basis of behavior
- Conflict between conscious and unconscious
- Eros (libido)- seek pleasure/avoid pain
- Thanatos (death drive)- self-destructive urge (most suicides are impulse driven)
83
Define the Developmental Model
- Personality develops from conflicts (must resolve them)
84
What is fixation
Unresolved conflict
85
What are the 5 Psychosexual Stages of Development
1. Oral- Dependence
+ Deal w/ stress and anxiety through mouth
2. Anal- Compliance
+ Anal retentive personality
3. Phallic- Identification w same sex parent
+ Internalize behaviors
4. Latency- Sexual/ aggressive sublimation
+ Athletics/competition
5. Genital- Mature sexuality -> Love and Work
86
What are the 3 Components of the Structural Model? What drives each of them?
1. Id- unconscious urges and desires.
- Driven by pleasure principle
2. Superego- conscience.
- Internalized authority voice
- Rewards success, guilt if unsuccessful
3. Ego- mediator
- Find appropriate compromise
- Rational and logical
- Manages emotions/ controls behavior
87
What is primary process thinking
Irrational, primary, wishful, illogical, associative
88
What did Freud believe fueled personality? What did this produce in the person?
- Conflict between irrational and rational thoughts and desires.
- Anxiety
89
What are six defense mechanisms against anxiety?
1. Repression- forgetting
2. Denial- "I didn't do it."
3. Projection- What we despise in others reflect on things we don't like
4. Reaction Formation- Take unacceptable impulses and push it outward
5. Rationalization- justifying, explaining behavior
6. Passive-Aggressiveness- avoiding conflict
90
Contributions of Freud
- First one to try to explain personality
- Role of unconscious mind
- Role of conflict and compromise, ambivalence
- Childhood experiences shaping
91
Limitations of Freud
- Tested neurotic Viennese
- Overemphasis on sex
- Lack of support
- Didn't see adulthood as important to personality development
92
Behavioral Approach
America's response to Freud
| -> Behaviorist/Cognitive Roots
93
What do behaviorists believe is the basis of personality? What is there an interplay between?
- Rational and Learned things
| - Person and situation
94
What is the underlying assumption?
Personality isn't thought as irrational
95
In what 4 ways is personality manifested when:
1. Current context is categorized as meaningful
2. Current context is perceived at self-relevant
3. There is behavior/self-efficacy-outcome expectancy
4. Individual can self-regulate- direct focus
96
Why is our self regulatory ability important?
It allows us to shape how consistent our personality is.
97
How do we determine our personality's consistency?
- Cross-situational/ Time consistency
| - We act differently depending on our surroundings.
98
Name the contributions of the behaviorist approach
- Highlights relationship between person and expectations
| - Relationship between person and situation
99
Criticisms of behaviorist approach
- Doesn't explain irrational behavior
| - Under emphasis on emotional aspects of human nature
100
T or F: Personality is a combination of traits.
True
101
What is a trait
Disposition to behave in a certain way. Constitutes underlying personality dimensions.
102
Traits are ____, ____ ways of behavior that can be _____
constant; specific; measured
103
What are the levels of Observable tendencies?
1. Behavior- repeated in various situations
| 2. Personality- assume this behaviors a definition of latent personality dimension
104
Eysenck's Theory of Personality
Personality consists of Habits: Observable and Predictable
105
What did he believe traits were?
A group of correlated habits
106
What is a type?
Correlated traits
107
What are 3 types of people?
- Introversion/Extroversion
- Neuorticism/Emotional Stability
- Psychotism/Impulse Control
108
Five Factor Model- Brought by asking people to describe themselves
- 5 superordinate traits
- Traits:
1. Openness to Experience- flexible
2. Conscientiousness- achievement focus
3. Extroversion- social
4. Agreeableness- trusting/tender
5. Neuroticism- anxious/se;f-conscious
109
Do trait theories assume rationality/irrationality?
No they don't.
110
T or F: Some aspects of personality are heritable.
True.
| Example: Temperament
111
The trait theory shows __ - ___ patterns to determine personality
if; then
112
Contributions of Trait Theory
- Assumptionless- can't be countered
- Ease of measurement
- Insight into heridability of traits
113
Limitations
- Self report
| - Really descriptive, but not explanatory at all
114
What is the Humanistic Theory
Person can't be reduced into components
115
What did Rogers' theory claim?
- Humans are born good
- Humans understand mortality and search for meaning
- Interpersonal experience distorts personality
- Need to understand the phenomenal experience (subjective experiences) to understand people
116
What did Rogers claim happened to humans as they age? Why?
- True self (born) -> Perverted by society -> False Self
| - Misinterpretations
117
What are the Conditions of worth?
Our love/acceptance depends on meeting standards of worth.
118
How do humanists view self-concept? What causes conflict in this view?
Organized pattern of through/perception of self, and our constant comparison to our ideal self. The bigger the difference, the bigger the internal conflict (anxiety)
119
What did Rogers and Maslow agree on regarding primary motivation of humans?
Actualizing tendency (self-actualization)
120
Why is empathy important? What is another word for empathy?
It is key to understanding people. Compassion.
121
T or F: Existentialists are humanists.
True
122
What do existentialists focus on?
Subjective existence/experience.
123
What is the "ultimate issue" according to existentialists?
Existential dread- not understanding our mortality or our meaning in life
124
What reaction does this "ultimate issue" cause?
Anxiety
125
According to existentialists, human nature is ______, not _______.
Dynamic; Static
126
What is bad faith?
When we give away our freedom. And fear freedom.
127
What is the role of culture/values/beliefs according to Earnest Becker?
To try to protect us from the fear of the unknown (mortality).
128
How do we react when our beliefs are threatened?
Terror Management Theory: React negatively to those different from us.
129
Central Issues in Existential Personality Theory
- Subjective experience
- Role of Meaning: vital to driving our lives
- Losing touch with inner feelings: Dangerous, believe our false self
- Seeing self as object
