Myers’ EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY (6th Ed)

Chapter 15

Social Psychology

Modified from:James A. McCubbin, PhD

Clemson University

Worth Publishers

Social Psychology

Scientific study of how we think about, influence, & relate to one another

Attribution Theory Tendency to give causal

explanation for someone’s behavior, often by crediting either situation or person’s disposition

Attribution, Attitudes & Actions Fundamental Attribution Error

Tendency for observers, when analyzing another’s behavior, to underestimate impact of situation & overestimate impact of personal disposition

Attitude Belief & feeling that predisposes one to

respond in particular way to objects, people & events

Social Thinking Our behavior is affected by our inner attitudes as

well as by external social influences

Internalattitudes

Externalinfluences

Behavior

Social Thinking

Attitudes follow behavior

Cooperative actions feed mutual liking

Actions & Attitudes

Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon Tendency for people who have first

agreed to small request to comply later with larger request

Role Set of expectations about social

position Defines how those in position

ought to behave

Cognitive Dissonance Theory When attitudes & actions do not

coincide, experience tension Act to reduce discomfort

(dissonance) we feel when two of thoughts (cognitions) inconsistent

Actions & Attitudes

Asch’s Conformity Experiments Informational Social Influence

Influence resulting from willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality

Social Influence Conformity

Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with group standard

Conditions that strengthen (p547)

Normative Social Influence Influence resulting from person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Milgram’s Obedience Experiments Social influences can make people

conform to falsehoods or do destructive things

Group Influence Social Facilitation

Improved performance of tasks in presence of others

Occurs with simple or well-learned tasks but not with difficult or not yet mastered tasks

Social Loafing Tendency for people in group to exert

less effort when pooling efforts toward common goal than when individually accountable

Group Influence & Effects

Deindividuation Loss of self-awareness & self-restraint in

group situations that foster arousal & anonymity

Group Polarization Enhancement of group’s prevailing

attitudes through discussion within group

Groupthink Occurs when desire for harmony in

decision-making group overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives

Social Relations

Prejudice Unjustifiable (& usually negative)

attitude toward group & members Involves stereotyped beliefs,

negative feelings, & predisposition to discriminatory action

Aggression Any physical or verbal behavior

intended to hurt or destroy

Altruism Bystander effect Decision-making process for bystander intervention

THE END