Understanding Social Psychology: Key Concepts and Studies

School
Geneva College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PSY 101
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
2
Uploaded by MasterDangerSwan5898
Cornell Method SummaryTopic: Overview of Social PsychologyNotes1. Definition of Social Psychology:- Social psychology studies human social interactions, including topics like prejudice, group attitudes, and conformity.- It draws from various psychological perspectives, including behavioral and sociocultural.2. Key Terms:- Social Norms: Societal expectations regarding appropriate behavior and attitudes (e.g., line-cutting).- Social Scripts: Step-by-step behaviors for engaging in socially acceptable actions (e.g., dining etiquette).3. Classic Studies:- Asch Conformity Studies:- Focused on conformity under social pressure.- Key findings: Unanimity, group size, and public answers influence conformity.- Notable result: 75% of participants conformed at least once.- Groupthink: Occurs when group members conform to perceived consensus, often leading to poor decision-making.4. Milgram Obedience Studies:- Explored obedience to authority figures.- Key findings: 65% of participants administered maximum shocks due to authority presence and diffusion of responsibility.- Ethical concerns arose from participant distress.5. Bystander Effect:- Individuals are less likely to help a victim when others are present due to diffusion of responsibility.- Famous case: Kitty Genovese murder, where bystanders did not intervene.6. Interpersonal Attraction:- Factors influencing attraction include:- Proximity: Frequent interaction increases relationship likelihood.- Similarity: Shared interests and beliefs strengthen bonds.- Physical Attractiveness: Attractive individuals are often perceived as having more desirable traits.7. Matching Hypothesis:- People tend to form relationships with others of similar attractiveness levels.8. Sternberg's Triarchic Theory of Love:- Components of love include:- Passion: Romantic and sexual attraction.- Intimacy: Feelings of closeness.- Commitment: Decision to maintain the relationship.
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- Types of love: Romantic love, infatuation, and consummate love.9. Cognitive Dissonance:- A state of discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors.- Festinger's Theory: Individuals strive for consistency and will change beliefs or attitudes to reduce dissonance.- Forced Compliance Behavior: Dissonance arises when individuals are compelled to act against their beliefs.10. Attribution Errors:- Fundamental Attribution Error: Overemphasizing personality traits in others' behaviors while downplaying situational factors.- Self-Serving Bias: Taking credit for successes while blaming external factors for failures.11. Prejudice and Discrimination:- Factors contributing to prejudice include:- Dissimilarity and social distance.- Economic competition and scapegoating.- Conformity to social norms and media stereotypes.12. Stress and Coping:- Coping Strategies:- Problem-Focused Coping: Taking action to change the stressor.- Emotion-Focused Coping: Managing emotional responses to stressors.- Hardiness: Characterized by challenge, control, and commitment, helping individuals thrive under stress.Questions for Review1. What are the main topics studied in social psychology?2. How do social norms and scripts influence behavior?3. What were the key findings of the Asch and Milgram studies?4. How does the bystander effect manifest in emergency situations?5. What factors contribute to interpersonal attraction?6. How does cognitive dissonance affect decision-making?7. What is the difference between fundamental attribution error and self-serving bias?8. What are the main factors that lead to prejudice and discrimination?9. How can individuals effectively cope with stress?
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