chapter 15: social psychology dr. mary streit suffolk community college

Chapter 15: Social PsychologyChapter 15: Social Psychology

Dr. Mary StreitDr. Mary Streit

Suffolk Community CollegeSuffolk Community College

Chapter 15 – Social PsychologyChapter 15 – Social Psychology

How do most people think, act, and feel in How do most people think, act, and feel in the presence of others?the presence of others?

Focus here is on “normal” behavior or the Focus here is on “normal” behavior or the average individualaverage individual

Social psychologists emphasize the power Social psychologists emphasize the power of the situation on behaviorof the situation on behavior

Directly opposing the beliefs of personality Directly opposing the beliefs of personality psychologistspsychologists

Chapter 15 – Social Chapter 15 – Social How We Think About Others.How We Think About Others.

AttributionsAttributions: our explanations for “Why?” : our explanations for “Why?” another person behaves or acts a certain way another person behaves or acts a certain way

Two types of attributions:Two types of attributions:

1. 1. InternalInternal: it was something about the person. : it was something about the person. Part of their personality, something within Part of their personality, something within them.them.

2. 2. ExternalExternal: it was something about the : it was something about the situation or context. Not due to the individual’s situation or context. Not due to the individual’s personality! Something outside the person.personality! Something outside the person.

SocialSocial

Fundamental Attribution ErrorFundamental Attribution Error: the tendency to : the tendency to automatically make an internal attribution for automatically make an internal attribution for another person’s behavior, and not adjust our another person’s behavior, and not adjust our thinking enough to account for external factors.thinking enough to account for external factors.

Most of us automatically think like a personality Most of us automatically think like a personality psychologist and make internal attributions for psychologist and make internal attributions for other people’s behavior.other people’s behavior.

For example: If a brand new red Corvette cuts For example: If a brand new red Corvette cuts you off on the LIE and zips way ahead of you at you off on the LIE and zips way ahead of you at about 90mph even though you are keeping up about 90mph even though you are keeping up with traffic [in the middle lane], what do you with traffic [in the middle lane], what do you automatically think about that person? Why did automatically think about that person? Why did they do that? Would it make a difference if the they do that? Would it make a difference if the car was a 1985 Chevy Chevette? [OK, think car was a 1985 Chevy Chevette? [OK, think hypothetically here!] hypothetically here!]

Social PsychologySocial Psychology

What if I told you that the guy who cut you What if I told you that the guy who cut you off doing 90mph was racing to the hospital off doing 90mph was racing to the hospital because his wife was in labor with their because his wife was in labor with their first child?? first child??

Did anyone even wonder if he Did anyone even wonder if he

might have had a good reason might have had a good reason

for going so fast?for going so fast?

Is he still an &*(%#!?Is he still an &*(%#!?


The Bystander Effect.The Bystander Effect.

The Case of Kitty Genovese The Case of Kitty Genovese At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-

eight-year-old Kitty Genovese was returning to her home in a eight-year-old Kitty Genovese was returning to her home in a nice middle-class area of Queens, NY, from her job as a bar nice middle-class area of Queens, NY, from her job as a bar manager. She parked her red Fiat in a nearby parking lot, manager. She parked her red Fiat in a nearby parking lot, turned-off the lights and started the walk to her second floor turned-off the lights and started the walk to her second floor apartment on Austin St. some 35 yards away. She got as far as apartment on Austin St. some 35 yards away. She got as far as a streetlight when a man grabbed her. She screamed. Lights a streetlight when a man grabbed her. She screamed. Lights went on in the 10-floor apartment building nearby. She yelled, went on in the 10-floor apartment building nearby. She yelled, “Oh, my God, he stabbed me! Please help me!” Windows “Oh, my God, he stabbed me! Please help me!” Windows opened in the apartment building and a man’s voice shouted, opened in the apartment building and a man’s voice shouted, “Let that girl alone.” The attacker looked up, shrugged and “Let that girl alone.” The attacker looked up, shrugged and walked-off down the street. Ms Genovese struggled to get to walked-off down the street. Ms Genovese struggled to get to her feet. her feet.


Lights went back off in the apartments. The attacker came back Lights went back off in the apartments. The attacker came back and stabbed her again. She again cried out, “I’m dying! I’m and stabbed her again. She again cried out, “I’m dying! I’m dying!” And again the lights came on and windows opened in dying!” And again the lights came on and windows opened in many of the nearby apartments. The assailant again left and many of the nearby apartments. The assailant again left and got into his car and drove away. Ms Genovese staggered to her got into his car and drove away. Ms Genovese staggered to her feet as a city bus drove by. It was now 3:35 a.m. The attacker feet as a city bus drove by. It was now 3:35 a.m. The attacker returned once again. He found her in a doorway at the foot of returned once again. He found her in a doorway at the foot of the stairs and he stabbed her a third time--this time with a fatal the stairs and he stabbed her a third time--this time with a fatal consequence. It was 3:50 when the police received the first call. consequence. It was 3:50 when the police received the first call. They responded quickly and within two minutes were at the They responded quickly and within two minutes were at the scene. Ms Genovese was already dead. The only person to scene. Ms Genovese was already dead. The only person to call, a neighbor of Ms Genovese, revealed that he had phoned call, a neighbor of Ms Genovese, revealed that he had phoned only after much thought and an earlier phone call to a friend. He only after much thought and an earlier phone call to a friend. He said, “I didn’t want to get involved.” said, “I didn’t want to get involved.”

Chapter 15 – Social PsychologyChapter 15 – Social Psychology38 people witnessed the attack against Kitty38 people witnessed the attack against KittyThe attack lasted for almost 45 minutesThe attack lasted for almost 45 minutesWhy didn’t anyone call the police or try to help her?Why didn’t anyone call the police or try to help her?The The bystander effectbystander effect: the more people that are : the more people that are present during an emergency or crisis situation, the present during an emergency or crisis situation, the less likely it is that someone will help due to less likely it is that someone will help due to diffusion of responsibilitydiffusion of responsibility..Diffusion of responsibility: this phenomenon Diffusion of responsibility: this phenomenon occurs when an individual knows that others are occurs when an individual knows that others are present in a crisis situation, and therefore they do present in a crisis situation, and therefore they do not feel solely responsible for intervening. They not feel solely responsible for intervening. They make the assumption that someone else must be make the assumption that someone else must be taking care of the crisis. In the case of Kitty taking care of the crisis. In the case of Kitty Genovese witnesses reported thinking “surely Genovese witnesses reported thinking “surely someone must have done something by now”.someone must have done something by now”.

Chapter 15 – SocialChapter 15 – Social

Apply your learning. If your car breaks down, where do Apply your learning. If your car breaks down, where do you think you would be more likely to get help?you think you would be more likely to get help?

1.1. on the LIE during rush on the LIE during rush - or - - or -

2.2. on route 12 in NY where you might not see another on route 12 in NY where you might not see another car for several hours at a time.car for several hours at a time.

The bystander effect illustrates why common sense and The bystander effect illustrates why common sense and psychology do not often go hand in hand.psychology do not often go hand in hand.


The Milgram Studies: Obedience to Authority.The Milgram Studies: Obedience to Authority.

During the Nuremberg trials after WWII, During the Nuremberg trials after WWII, Herman Eichmann, a high ranking official of Herman Eichmann, a high ranking official of the Nazi Party, was on trial for war crimes and the Nazi Party, was on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The questions is, crimes against humanity. The questions is, "Could it be that Eichmann, was just following "Could it be that Eichmann, was just following orders?" orders?"

Are individuals responsible for their actions Are individuals responsible for their actions during a time of war if they were following during a time of war if they were following orders? Thoughts??orders? Thoughts??


Stanley Milgram performed a series of Stanley Milgram performed a series of studies on the Obedience to Authority to studies on the Obedience to Authority to answer this exact question.answer this exact question.

Milgram's experiments on which his initial Milgram's experiments on which his initial research was based were conducted at research was based were conducted at Yale from 1961-1962.Yale from 1961-1962.


Subjects were misled or Subjects were misled or deceptiondeception was used. They was used. They were led to believe they were randomly assigned to be were led to believe they were randomly assigned to be the “teacher” when in fact this was rigged.the “teacher” when in fact this was rigged.The other “participant” in the study was actually another The other “participant” in the study was actually another researcher. This researcher was aware of the study but researcher. This researcher was aware of the study but pretended to be just another student. This type of pretended to be just another student. This type of participant is often referred to as a “participant is often referred to as a “confederateconfederate” in ” in actual studies. actual studies. Subjects were misled to believe they would be giving a Subjects were misled to believe they would be giving a shock to the “learner” everytime the “learner” got a shock to the “learner” everytime the “learner” got a question wrong.question wrong.This shock would increase in intensity every time the This shock would increase in intensity every time the “learner” got a question wrong. [watch video]“learner” got a question wrong. [watch video]


Many of the ethical guidelines for research in Many of the ethical guidelines for research in psychology exist today as a result of the Milgram psychology exist today as a result of the Milgram studies.studies.

Results: Shockingly Results: Shockingly , Milgram found that nearly , Milgram found that nearly 66% of all subjects finished the entire experiment and 66% of all subjects finished the entire experiment and gave the “learner” near lethal shocks at the command gave the “learner” near lethal shocks at the command of the experimenter.of the experimenter.

When Milgram was asked if anyone ever got up to go When Milgram was asked if anyone ever got up to go and check on the learner, he replied “Not one, not and check on the learner, he replied “Not one, not ever”. ever”.

Chapter 15 – Social PsychologyChapter 15 – Social PsychologyAre we accountable for the morality of our Are we accountable for the morality of our actions? actions?

Does it depend upon the situation, or it is a Does it depend upon the situation, or it is a “moral imperative” as Kant described?“moral imperative” as Kant described?

What about the officers at Abu Gharib? The What about the officers at Abu Gharib? The McDonald employees?McDonald employees?

Is authority always right?Is authority always right?

9/11: Morgan Stanley – Ray Rescorla. A hero. 9/11: Morgan Stanley – Ray Rescorla. A hero. Because he did NOT obey authority 2700 lives Because he did NOT obey authority 2700 lives were saved.were saved.


In 2001, Richard Rescorla was a retired Army Reserve In 2001, Richard Rescorla was a retired Army Reserve colonel and the head of security for Morgan Stanley's colonel and the head of security for Morgan Stanley's Individual Investor Group at the World Trade Center. On Individual Investor Group at the World Trade Center. On Sept. 11, Rescorla found himself leading a massive Sept. 11, Rescorla found himself leading a massive evacuation of Morgan Stanley's 2,700-person workforce evacuation of Morgan Stanley's 2,700-person workforce which occupied floors 44 through 74 of the South tower. which occupied floors 44 through 74 of the South tower. As soon as the first plane hit the North tower, Rescorla As soon as the first plane hit the North tower, Rescorla sprang into action. He ignored the admonition of Port sprang into action. He ignored the admonition of Port Authority security officials to stay put. A co-worker shot Authority security officials to stay put. A co-worker shot the now-famous photograph (below) of Rescorla the now-famous photograph (below) of Rescorla commanding his troops with a bullhorn. Employees commanding his troops with a bullhorn. Employees marched two-by-two down the stairwells. Rescorla sang marched two-by-two down the stairwells. Rescorla sang patriotic songs to keep them calm. "Today is a proud patriotic songs to keep them calm. "Today is a proud day to be an American," he is said to have told co-day to be an American," he is said to have told co-workers. workers.

Chapter 15 – Social PsychologyChapter 15 – Social PsychologyMost of Morgan Stanley's employees were Most of Morgan Stanley's employees were safely out of the building by the time the second safely out of the building by the time the second plane hit the South tower. And incredibly all but plane hit the South tower. And incredibly all but six of Morgan Stanley's 2700 workers survived. six of Morgan Stanley's 2700 workers survived. Richard Rescorla was one of the lost six. He Richard Rescorla was one of the lost six. He was last seen walking back up the stairs, in was last seen walking back up the stairs, in search of stragglers.search of stragglers.


The Stanford Prisoner Studies The Stanford Prisoner Studies

(Phillip Zimbardo).(Phillip Zimbardo).

What happens when you put good people in an What happens when you put good people in an evil place? Does humanity win over evil, or evil place? Does humanity win over evil, or does evil triumph? does evil triumph?

These are some of the questions that were These are some of the questions that were posed in the dramatic simulation of prison life posed in the dramatic simulation of prison life conducted in the summer of 1971 at Stanford conducted in the summer of 1971 at Stanford University (University (http://http://www.prisonexp.orgwww.prisonexp.org).).


The planned two-week investigation into the The planned two-week investigation into the psychology of prison life had to be ended psychology of prison life had to be ended prematurely after only six days because of what prematurely after only six days because of what the situation was doing to the college students the situation was doing to the college students who participated. who participated.

In only a few days, the guards became sadistic In only a few days, the guards became sadistic and the prisoners became depressed and and the prisoners became depressed and showed signs of extreme stress. [see video]showed signs of extreme stress. [see video]


What did we learn from the Stanford Prison What did we learn from the Stanford Prison studies?studies?

1.1. The power the situation has on our behavior.The power the situation has on our behavior.

2.2. The power of a social role on both our own The power of a social role on both our own behavior and the behavior of others.behavior and the behavior of others.

Definition of social role: The characteristic and Definition of social role: The characteristic and expected behavior of an individual in a expected behavior of an individual in a particular situation.particular situation.

Chapter 15 - ReviewChapter 15 - Review

1.1. Findings of the Milgram studiesFindings of the Milgram studies2.2. Findings of the Zimbardo prison Findings of the Zimbardo prison

studiesstudies

a.a. Nearly 50% of all subjects Nearly 50% of all subjects obeyed the experimenter to obeyed the experimenter to the endthe end

b.b. About 66% of all subjects About 66% of all subjects obeyed the experimenter to obeyed the experimenter to the endthe end

c.c. None of the subjects obeyed None of the subjects obeyed the experimenter until the endthe experimenter until the end

d.d. The prisoners and guards The prisoners and guards behaved normally for the behaved normally for the entire 2 week periodentire 2 week period

e.e. The prisoners were fine but The prisoners were fine but the guards became very cruel the guards became very cruel and meanand mean

f.f. The prisoners became very The prisoners became very stressed and depressed while stressed and depressed while the guards became extremely the guards became extremely cruel and abusivecruel and abusive

Chapter 15 - ReviewChapter 15 - Review1.1. Internal attributionInternal attribution

2.2. External attributionExternal attribution

3.3. Fundamental attribution Fundamental attribution

errorerror

4.4. ConfederateConfederate

5.5. Social roleSocial role

6.6. DeceptionDeception

7.7. Bystander effectBystander effect

8.8. Diffusion of responsibilityDiffusion of responsibility

a.a. The feeling of being less The feeling of being less personally responsible to personally responsible to help another person in a help another person in a crisis situation due to the crisis situation due to the presence of otherspresence of others

b.b. When many people When many people witness a crisis and no one witness a crisis and no one helpshelps

c.c. When a subject is misled When a subject is misled or lied to in a research or lied to in a research studystudy

d.d. A researcher who pretends A researcher who pretends to be just another subjectto be just another subject

Chapter 15 – ReviewChapter 15 – Review

1.1. Internal attributionInternal attribution

2.2. External attributionExternal attribution

3.3. Fundamental attribution Fundamental attribution

errorerror

4.4. ConfederateConfederate

5.5. Social roleSocial role

6.6. DeceptionDeception

7.7. Bystander effectBystander effect

8.8. Diffusion of responsibilityDiffusion of responsibility

a.a. When you see the cause of When you see the cause of another person’s behavior as another person’s behavior as being due to their personality.being due to their personality.

b.b. When you see the cause of When you see the cause of another person’s behavior as another person’s behavior as being due to the situation.being due to the situation.

c.c. The characteristic and expected The characteristic and expected behavior of an individual in a behavior of an individual in a particular situation.particular situation.

d.d. When you automatically make When you automatically make an internal attribution for an internal attribution for another’s behavior and do not another’s behavior and do not adjust enough for any situational adjust enough for any situational factors.factors.

chapter 15: social psychology dr. mary streit suffolk community college

Documents

social psychology lights

neighbor of ms genovese

crisis situation

yearold kitty genovese

bystander effect

internal attributions

normal behavior

persons behavior