Social Psychology Flashcards
(30 cards)
Social Norms
Standards that govern expected behaviour in society and social situatios
Social Roles
Roles or tasks undertaken by individuals for the benefit of the group
Higher status members have more influence over other members
Self Concept
Who we consider ourselves to be based on physical attributes, interests, abilities and personality
Social Identity
Part of our self concept formed by our group membership
How does social identity develop
Through our interactions with others and their reactions towards us
Tajfel et al (1986)
Group status is determined by comparing our group to others - better social standing leads to better self concept
Group membership influences our behaviours, how we view ourselves
Social Identity Theory
Tajfel and Turner (1979)
Individuals catagorise themselves into groups and gain identity through groups
Group membership leads to increased self esteem
Put other groups down to be the “best group”
Individuals dependance in groups
Members are task dependant and emotionally dependant on other group members
Social Influence
Changing behaviour in response to others
When negative - peer pressure
Platow et al (2005)
The influence is stronger if the individual identifies strongly with the group
Co-operation
members must be committed to a common goal
each member must receive an equal share of the prize
must develop, conform to and agree on norms
distrust leads to unproductively
Smith and Mackie (2000)
Workplace bonuses
Competition
Rivals trying to outdo one another to achieve a goal
- reduces group cohesion
- hinders efforts to reach group goals
- leads to intergroup hostility
- Increases group solidarity
Realistic Conflict Theory
Hostility arises between groups due to competition for scared valued resources
Rattlers and the Eagles - Sherif 1961
Theory of Relative Deprivation
Individuals becoming discontent because others seem better off
Social Categorisation
Identifying an individual as part of a group based on shared characteristics
Allows us to make sense of the world around us
Diffusion of responsibility and the bystander effect
Kitty Genovese Case (1964)
Darley and Latane (1968)
If several people are present, each will assume someone else will take responsibility
Social Loafing
Putting in less effort into a task as they are part of a group
The individual feels less accountable for their actions
Rope Pulling Study (Ingham 1974)
Latane et al (1979) - clapping
Reducing social loafing
interesting task highly motivated effort is monitored contributions are essential for success strongly identifies with group
Stereotype definition
A form of social categorisation; makes people seem more similar than they actually are
Formation of stereotypes
They are formed when we first meet someone from an identifiable group and develop expectations for others from that group
Abound and Doyle 1996 - Stereotypes
Children have clear racial stereotypes that reflect what they believe their parents views to be
Cartoon Analysis
Thompson and Zerbinos (1995)
Boys depicted as rough, active and violent, girls are house bound, vain, and boy focussed
Darley and Gross
(1983)
Teachers heavily influenced by stereotypes (Hannah)
Social Values and Behaviour
Social values are what are important to our lives and our interactions with others
Stereotypes express social values of groups
Values aren’t static
Theory of Reasoned Action
(Fishbein and Ajzen 1975)
Our intention to behave in a certain way is influenced by societal values, our personal attitude towards the behaviour, and evaluating the costs/benefits of engaging in the behaviour
