Chapter 15: Social Chapter 15: Social PsychologyPsychology

What is Social What is Social Psychology?Psychology?

Social psychology is the study of…Social psychology is the study of…

What causes people’s What causes people’s behavior?behavior?

Who they are or what type of Who they are or what type of person they are?person they are?

Their circumstances?Their circumstances?

Both?Both?

What about your behavior??What about your behavior??

The Fundamental Attribution The Fundamental Attribution ErrorError

This is a tenet of attribution theory This is a tenet of attribution theory that says we tend to see the that says we tend to see the behavior of others in a certain way behavior of others in a certain way and our own behavior differentlyand our own behavior differently

What does that mean?What does that mean?

The relationship between Attitude The relationship between Attitude and Actionand Action

1.1. What is an attitude exactly?What is an attitude exactly?

2.2. What influences them?What influences them?

3.3. How can attitudes be changed?:How can attitudes be changed?:1.1. Foot-in-the-doorFoot-in-the-door

2.2. Role playingRole playing

Why is ‘doing is Why is ‘doing is believing’ True?believing’ True?

1.1. If we do something that we don’t If we do something that we don’t believe in, we experience believe in, we experience cognitive cognitive dissonancedissonance

2.2. Because the action is already Because the action is already done…done…

When do attitudes When do attitudes lead behavior?lead behavior?

In order for attitude and behavior to In order for attitude and behavior to match up, these circumstances match up, these circumstances must be met:must be met:

1.1. Outside influence is lowOutside influence is low

2.2. The attitude is specific to a certain The attitude is specific to a certain behaviorbehavior

3.3. We are aware of the attitudeWe are aware of the attitude

Social InfluenceSocial Influence1.1. How many of you believe you are How many of you believe you are

highly influenced by social highly influenced by social situations?situations?

PeersPeers AdvertisingAdvertising Culture at largeCulture at large

2.2. If so, you may actually be a more If so, you may actually be a more empathetic personempathetic person

ConformityConformity1.1. What are your ideas about What are your ideas about

conformityconformity?? What does it mean?What does it mean? Is it a negative concept?Is it a negative concept?

2.2. NNormative social influenceormative social influence

A Famous Experiment on A Famous Experiment on ConformityConformity

1.1. Asch & line lengthAsch & line length

2.2. This and other studies have shown that This and other studies have shown that people are more likely to conform if the people are more likely to conform if the circumstances are just rightcircumstances are just right

Group InfluenceGroup Influence

1.1. Social facilitation Social facilitation

2.2. Social loafingSocial loafing

3.3. DeindividuationDeindividuation

Social relationsSocial relations

The study of The study of how we how we relate to relate to one anotherone another

AttractionAttraction What do you guys think causes What do you guys think causes

attraction?attraction?

Three Factors important to Three Factors important to attractionattraction

Love – there are two kinds of Love – there are two kinds of romantic love:romantic love:

Passionate lovePassionate love Companionate loveCompanionate love

AltruismAltruism

1.1. What is altruism? What is altruism?

2.2. How common is altruism in How common is altruism in our society? our society?

3.3. What gets in the way of What gets in the way of altruistic behavior?altruistic behavior?

What is the difference What is the difference between Prejudice & between Prejudice & Discrimination?Discrimination?

Attitude vs. ActionAttitude vs. Action

Social and Cognitive Influences Social and Cognitive Influences on Prejudiceon Prejudice

Social factors:Social factors:1.1. InequalityInequality

2.2. In-group/ out-group thinkingIn-group/ out-group thinking

3.3. Scapegoating Scapegoating

1.1. Cognitive factors:Cognitive factors:1.1. CategorizationCategorization

2.2. Vivid cases (availability heuristic)Vivid cases (availability heuristic)

3.3. Just-world phenomenonJust-world phenomenon

Aggression & ConflictAggression & Conflict

1.1. Biological factorsBiological factors

2.2. Psychological factorsPsychological factors

3.3. Conflict is simply a perceived Conflict is simply a perceived incompatibilityincompatibility

ObedienceObedience

1.1. Obedience is a special type Obedience is a special type of conformityof conformity

2.2. Stanley Milgram performed Stanley Milgram performed the landmark experiment on the landmark experiment on obedience at Yale in the obedience at Yale in the 1960’s1960’s

3.3. Philip Zimbardo & the prison Philip Zimbardo & the prison experimentexperiment

Do Milgram’s & Zimbardo’s Do Milgram’s & Zimbardo’s experiments remind you of experiments remind you of

anything?anything?1.1. First, let’s cover the best conditions First, let’s cover the best conditions

for obedience:for obedience: Authority figureAuthority figure InstitutionInstitution De-personalization of victimDe-personalization of victim No model of disobedienceNo model of disobedience

2.2. What historical condition does this What historical condition does this list remind you of?list remind you of?