Social Psychology

4/18/2011 12:59:00 PM

The study of how peopl think about, influence and relate to other people. Cognitions, influnences, relations Social behavior Altruismunselfish interest to help others. Aggression Bystander effect individuals less likely to help in an emergency when others are present. Diffusion of responsibilitythinking someone else will call 911 Pluristic ignoranceeverybody ignorant of what is actually going on Alone 75% more likely to help. Add one other person 50% Aggression Brain structureslymbic system and amyglba Neurotransmittersserotonin Hormonestestostorone Psychologicalfrustation(pain, unpleasant events), cognition, Cognitionpriming factors. Living with a gun. observational learningwatching another individual with rewards Socioculturalcultural variations **physical environment** hot weather increase rape, assault etc. gender differences: physical aggression: males relational aggresion:women reducing aggression: decrease rewards, encourage empathy, foster self esteem. Self-esteem relationship between self esteem and aggression

Subsequent correlational data: low self esteem agression, delinquincy , poor health Inflated and unstable high self-esteem Social Influence Conformity(solomon asch 1951) Volunteer in a group of actors. Conformity. *Informational social influencewant to be right *Normative social influenceapproval 75% particapants gave incorrect answer. Obedience (stanley milgram 1965-74) Ethical concersn-deception Group influence Deindividuation:erosion of personal identity and responsibility Social contagion:spread of behavior, emotions and ideas Group performance: social facilitation ( when individual perfomrance improves b/c the prescense of others), Social loafing ( perfomarance drops b/c of others) men more than women *evaluation, make tasks attractive group decision making risky shift= group decision are riskier than average individual decisions group polarization= discussion strengthens the groups position groupthink=group harmony, impaired decision making and avoidance of realistic appraisal Social cognition

personal perception, beautiful is good stereotype self fullfiing prophecy composite faces symmetry and youthfulness, first impression Attributions- explanation for why people behave the way they do Fundamental attribution error overstimating the impoartance of internal traits and underestimating the imporatnce of external causes of an actors behavior Heruisticscognitive shortcuts that speed up decision making, not accurate False consensus effectoverestimating the degree to which everyone else thinks or acts the way they do, we use our outlook to preict that of others. Self esteem- positive illusions=positive views of ourselves that are not necessarily rooted in reality o self serving bias- the tendency to take credit for success and deny responsibility for failure. Good pshycological health, judged positively by other people o self objectification- tendency to see oneself primarily as an object in the eyes of others. o Stereotype threat- a self fulfilling fear about being judged on the basis of a negative stereotype about our group Social comparison o The process by which we evaluate our thoughts, feelings behaviors and abilities in relatio to other people, social comparison theory o

 Attitudes- beliefs about people places and ideas. Attitude predict behavior when: attitudes are stron, rehearsed, relevant to the behavior o Behavior predict attitude! Cognitive dissonance theory Discomfort is caused by two dissonant thoughts Dissonance is reduced by chaging attitudes or changing behaviors Effort justification Self esteesm and cognitive dissonance Taking office supplies Sampling food Speeding Smoking Persuasion o Source:expertise/credibility o Thrustworthiness, power, attractiveness, likeability, similarity o Message: ration vs emotionl Order of argument, foot in the door, door in the face o Medium-televison vs print o Target-audience, age, attitude strength o Elaboration likelihood model: central /peripheral route Prejudice o An unjustified negative attutide toweard a group and its members o Explicit vs impicit racism o Explanations for prejudice Competiion between groups Motivation to enhance self esteem Cognitive processes Cultural learning

Attraction Proximity, more exposure Acquaintance Similarity, consensual validaiton Romantic love Passionate love Sexuality and infatuation Affectionate love Companionate love Deep caring affection Gender differences: men are more likley to fall in love quicker and easily. Women more likely to break up a relationship Social exchange theory Adult romantic attachment styles o Secure attachment o Aviodant attachment o Anxious/ambivalent attachment Investment model perspective o Positive illusions Social support Tangible assistance Information Emotional support Widows die at a rate 3-13x higher than that of a married for every single cause of mortality

4/18/2011 12:59:00 PM

4/18/2011 12:59:00 PM