Social Psychology

Question 1

Mazufir Sherif’s Robber’s Cave Study

Answer 1

Natural diversion and competition between groups, when asked to complete a task, they collaborated with shared goals and reduced group tensions
(team bonding)
Demonstrated Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)

Question 2

Superordinate goals

Answer 2

Shared goals that require cooperation between conflicting groups to achieve, leading to reduced intergroup hostility and increased cooperation.

Question 3

Internalized Racism

Answer 3

Acceptance of marginalized racial groups of negative stereotypes and beliefs about their own race

Question 4

Institutionalized Racism

Answer 4

Systemic pattern of discrimination and bias embedded within social institutions

Question 5

Implicit Racism

Answer 5

Automatic, unconscious attitudes and biases based off of stereotypes, repetition, innate beliefs (not consciously endorsed)

Question 6

Prejudice

Answer 6

Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience

Question 7

Discrimination

Answer 7

Behaviors or actions that result in differential treatment or disadvantage based on group membership

Question 8

Privileged Status

Answer 8

Refers to the advantages and benefits conferred upon individuals who belong to dominant or majority groups within a society, often at the expense of marginalized or minority groups.

Question 9

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 9

Psychological discomfort experienced when individuals hold conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. Often resolved through attitude change or rationalization to reduce discomfort.

Question 10

Conformity

Answer 10

Adjusting one’s behavior or attitudes to match those of a group or societal norms.

Question 11

Solomon Asch study

Answer 11

Experiment demonstrating the power of social pressure to influence conformity, particularly in situations with unanimous group agreement.

Question 12

Group polarization

Answer 12

Phenomenon where group discussion strengthens initial attitudes or beliefs, resulting in more extreme positions. Often occurs due to social comparison and desire for social approval within the group.

-aka the “risky shift,” because first studied among groups who were considering taking risks
-practical application: might lie in understanding financial decision making, gambling, or political campaigns

Question 13

Groupthink

Answer 13

Tendency for cohesive groups to prioritize consensus and harmony over critical thinking and independent decision-making. Can lead to flawed decision-making and failure to consider alternative viewpoints or risks.

Question 14

Halo effects

Answer 14

Cognitive bias where positive traits or characteristics of an individual influence perceptions of unrelated traits.

Question 15

Impression formation

Answer 15

Process of forming judgments or opinions about others based on available information and personal biases.

Question 16

Zimbardo’s prison experiment

Answer 16

Controversial study demonstrating the power of situational factors and authority roles in shaping behavior. Participants assigned to roles of prisoners and guards quickly adapted to their roles, leading to abusive behavior and psychological distress.

Question 17

Stanley Milgram’s shock obedience study

Answer 17

Experiment investigating obedience to authority figures, where participants were instructed to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to a confederate. Demonstrated the willingness of individuals to obey authority, even when it conflicted with their moral beliefs.

Question 18

Attribution Theory

Answer 18

Framework for understanding how individuals explain the causes of behavior, including internal attributions (personal characteristics) and external attributions (situation or environment).