Tags & Description
social psychology
how we view and affect one another
attribution error
we make mistakes when we try to explain others actions
1.) fundamental attribution error
we tend to blame the person rather than the environment when explaining a persons behavior.
-Saliency bias
it is a reason for the fundamental attribution error we focus more on the person rather than the environment.
e.g.
westerns are more likely to make FAE because of their cultural belief that people are responsible for their own actions (individualism) while easterners are less likely because their culture focuses on on group belongingness (collectivism)
2.) self-serving bias
we tend to make excuses (blame others/environment) for our failures and accept credit for our successes.
-False consensus effect
we tend to overestimate how common our opinions and our failures are.
-false uniqueness effect
we tend to underestimate how common our abilities and successes are.
-spotlight effect
we tend to think our behaviors are more important to others than they really are.
reasons for self-serving bias
we want to protect our self-esteem, prevent felling vulnerable, and look good in front of others.
Facts
self-serving bias is less likely in eastern countries because of cultural emphasis on group rather than individual success.
what is attitude
attitudes are judgments learned from direct experience or observation
three components of attitude
Affect: emotional response Behavior: take action Cognition: thoughts and beliefs
e.g.
you THINK someone is mean, you FEEL dislike for the person, and you ACT unfriendly
What changed/affects your attitude
persuasion: speakers factual/ analytical information and speakers attractiveness.
your actions: foot in the door phenomenon- people who agree to smaller request comply to a larger one later.
when you role-play: standard prison study and joker.
Why do our actions affect our attitudes
we have anxiety when our attitudes and actions don't line up- cognitive dissonance so we relieve this anxiety by bringing our attitudes in line with our actions (rationalizing).
what is prejudice
prejudgment, preconceived ideas about gender, race, age, ect.
what is discrimination
acting on the prejudice
causes of prejudice/discrimination
just-world phenomenon- people have the tendency to believe the world is just and therefore people deserve what they get.
learn by watching
blame
categorizing
competition for resources
three components of prejudice
Affect: hostility, fear, envy. Behavior: discrimination Cognitive: stereotypes
what are stereotypes
over generalizations about a person or thing.
self-fulfilling prophecy
it is a statement that alters actions and therefore comes true. For example, a person stating “I’m probably going to have a lousy day,” might alter his actions so that such a prediction is fulfilled by his actions.
Attraction
1.) proximity
we like people close to us -repeated contact with a person increases attraction = mere exposure effect
if similarity is low, proximity can increase negative feelings
e.g. negative politic ads
2.) physical attractiveness
we like good-looking people
-halo effect = we assign positive characteristics to attractive people e.g. friendly, smart -women considered more attractive if youthful -men soncidered more attractive more attractive if mature and finacially secure -across countries- good looks mean better health and more fertile -we choose mates with equal attractiveness = matching hypothesis
3.) similarity
we like people similar to us
-similarities e.g. social class, interests, ethnic background. -similarity is the most important factors in keeping a long-term relationship -"opposites attract" rule applies to personality traits and not to social class or values.
reward theory of attraction
we will like those whose behaviors is rewarding to us
research has shown
attractive people make a more favourable impression at job interviews
attractive characters are portrayed as morally superior in Hollywood movies
babies prefer attractive faces
self-esteem and happiness are unrelated to attractiveness
Romantic vs companionship love
-RL is short-lived, increases with interference/obstacle e.g. parents disapproval -CL based on admiration, respect, deep-caring, and love grows stronger with time. -CL endures with equity (e.g. share chores) and self-disclosure (e.g. reveal feelings)
passionate/romantic love
emotion = physical arousal + cognitive label
self-disclosure
Where did you go to high school?
When did you last sing to yourself?
When did you last cry in front of another person? by yourself?
Social Influence
we change our behavior in response to real or imagined pressure from others which is known as conformity
chameleon effect
we mimic others expressions
conformity increases when)
in a group of 3 or more
group is unanimous
group members are watching us
our culture strongly encourages respect for social standards
we want approval and acceptance (normative social influence)
we need more information (informational social influence)
we want to match our behavior with the group we admire (reference group)
normative social influence
we want approval and acceptance
informational social influence
we need more information
reference group
we want to match our behavior with the group we admire
obedience
we give in to a command from a person or group
obedience increases when
there is an authority figure
we can’t see the person we’re harming
there is another person doing the same task/no one is disobeying the authority figure
obedience decreases
when we’re told we’ll be held responsible, another person refuses to be obedient
Western cultures more likely to encourage individuality
group influence
social facilitation
we work harder when people are watching
e.g.
we do better on easy tasks and worst on difficult tasks when watched
social loathing
we don't work as hard when were in a group
deindividuation
because we are less conscious, less inhibited, and less personally responsible when we are anonymous in a group
group polarization
the tendency for a group to have more extreme opinions or make decisions that are more extreme than if the group members were alone
group-think
a groups desire to reach an agreement /consensus is more important than thinking critically and creatively.
Being in a large group makes the behavior ‘acceptable’.
Aggression
physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or harm
causes of aggression
genes
-identical vs. fraternal twins -
identical have more similar
temperaments than fraternal
one identical twin has 'violent temper',
other twin admits to having the same
genetic marker: Y chromosone
genetic marker: monoamine oxidase gene =
breaks down neurotransmitters like
dopamine and serotonin
low MO gene carriers gave more hot sauce to
someone when provoked
neural systems/ brain damage
-limbic system (amygdala)
-study of 15 death row inmates showed
-all had severe head injury
-criminals had less activity in frontal lobes
hormones
violent criminals have:
higher than average testosterone
low levels of serotonin
male, young, muscular
lower than average IQ
-men become less aggressive with age
as testosterone levels drop
-men's facial width is a predictor
of their aggressiveness and prejudicial attitudes
-high testosterone correlates with irritability,
assertiveness, impulsiveness, and low
tolerance for frustration
alcohol
tends to focus person’s attention
on provocation rather than inhibition
frustration
pain, insults, odors, hot temperatures,
cigarette smoke, etc.
-violent crimes and spousal abuse rates higher
during hotter seasons, months, and days
-just thinking about words related to hot
temperatures increased hostile thoughts
-100 studies show people sometimes imitate
what they have viewed
culture
-higher violence rate families and cultures with
minimal father presence/care
no looting in japan after tsunami because they are taught to have patience
ways to control aggression
lighten up/make a joke about the situation
feel sympathy for the other person
use “I” statements instead of ‘You
Altruism
unselfish care and concern for the welfare of others
bystander effect
we are less likely to help when there are other bystanders
diffusion of responsibility
assume someone else will help
more people watching, less likely to help
we are more likely to help when
are not in a hurry
have just seen someone else be helpful
feel guilty
are happy
live in a small town
person deserves help
person is similar to us
making decisions to help
-notice the incident -interpret as an emergency -take the responsibility to help
What factors influence when people will or will not help?
gender, presence of others, and other factors
egoistic model or empathy-altruism applied to the gas video
egoistic model: is when peoples behaviors and actions are motivated by self-interest. we do it to feel good about ourselves and avoid feeling distress and guilt if we don't help.
empathy-altruism: is when we help because we are selfless and motivated by our concern for others. it focuses on empathy for others and makes people focuses on other distress and problems rather than themselves.
rachael helped because he was concerned for the girl and had empathy because if he was in her shoes he would want the same because he was a good person
cults
A cult is a group or movement held together by a shared commitment to a charismatic leader or ideology. It has a belief system that has the answers to all of life's questions and offers a special solution to be gained only by following the leader's rules.
The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment. The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. The group is preoccupied with making money.