Love and War

Music: “Imagine” David Archuleta

“Happy Endings” MIKA

“It hurts to wait with love… when love is somewhere else”

Today’s Agenda• 1. Prejudice

– a) Roots of prejudice – b) Roots of Terrorism– c) How it can be overcome

• 2. Altruism – Who will help when?

• 3. Attraction– Who do we like?/ Mate selection

• 4. Love – a) Sternberg: Intimacy, passion and commitment

• The seven flavors of love– b) Love as attachment

• 5. Physical Attractiveness and Person Perception• 6. Info. on Final Exam: Stick around!

1. a) Roots of Prejudice• “US” vs “THEM”

– Ingroup/outgroup distinction based on a variety of factors– If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone

was the same race, creed and color, we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon. George Aiken

• Ethnocentrism: – universal tendency to view one’s ingroup as better than outgroups

(see p. 700)– Human madness at its most destructive

• By the end of the 20th century, 100 million people died a violent death at the hand of their fellow humans

• Humanity’s genocides, & long history of violence and cruelty against perceived “enemies”

• 3 components to prejudicial attitudes (p. 698)– 1) Stereotypes (beliefs)

• inaccurate perception of outgroup as sharing the same characteristics– 2) Emotions: e.g. hostility– 3) Predisposition to action: e.g. discrimination

Fig. 16.21, p. 698

1. Prejudice (cont’d)• Prejudice: Def’n

• Unjustifiable and negative attitude towards a group • Emotional roots of prejudice

– Scapegoating:• Outgroups provide outlet for anger

– Serves self-esteem needs• I.e. Prejudice helps maintain a positive self-image

• Cognitive roots of prejudice:– Categorization allow us to simplify our world

• Distorts the reality that members of other groups are very heterogeneous – The “just-world” phenomenon: We assume we get what we deserve!

• How prejudiced are people today?– On the surface, attitudes about other races and gender have become more

egalitarian– More subtle tests reveal that prejudices persist to this day

• Up to 10% of population more extremist

1. Prejudice (cont’d) • The prejudiced personality:

– Authoritarian personality: • Attitudes and values marked by rigidity, and oversimplification

– i.e. Absolute right vs. absolute wrong– Intolerant of differences – Thinks in stereotyped ways about minorities

• Concerned with power and authority – Excessive conformity

• Punitive childhood

• Observational Learning:– Responsible for the transmission of prejudices across generations

• i.e. exposure to parental prejudicial attitudes can lead to prejudicial attitudes in children

1. b) Roots of Terrorism• Definition:

– Politically motivated violence – Intended to instil feelings of terror and helplessness in a population in order

to influence decision-making• Complex roots

– Avoid simplistic explanations (e.g. the attribution error)• Political factors:

– Absence of democracy and the inability of individual members to influence decision-making

• Religion:– Need for a death-transcending belief system

• Can become a source of identity– Will protect that system at all costs

• Threat of different belief systems• Take your own life:

– For the promise of salvation and a better future for the group

1. B) Roots of Terrorism (cont’d)

• Economic and Social Deprivation:– Inherent position of weakness: political, economic, military– Subjective perception of injustice and deprivation – Politically motivated violence when there are no military

means• Personal factors:

– Deep resentment of authority/blaming “outgroup” – Engagement with a terrorist organization:

• Recruitment/Adoption of terrorist goals/Ends justify the means • Training:

– Break down of inhibitions– Pressured to conform leading to violent acts – Can’t exit alive

What could help overcome prejudice?

– 1) Increase cooperative contacts between member of rival groups

• Develop friendships with individuals of different backgrounds

– 2) Heal thyself! • Address feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem• Know thyself

– Identify your own prejudices and examine critically

– 3) Societal level: • Address poverty & inequity• Allow democracies to flourish

2. Altruism• Unselfish regard for others’ welfare• Bystander Apathy:

– Case of Kitty Genovese – Failure to help is related to the number of people present / Diffusion of

responsibility• Who will help whom? Factors that influence helping:

– Low cost and “you know what to do”– Setting (city vs rural)– Victim & current state– Good parental models/ or religious and humanitarian convictions

3. Attraction• What factors lead to friendship and romance?

– Proximity: How close someone lives to you• Familiarity breeds fondness

– Physical Attractiveness:• Important influence on first impressions• “Halo effect”: What is beautiful is good

– Similarity:• Friends and couples more likely to share common attitudes, beliefs,

interests, and to be similar in age, race, education, intelligence, and economic status.

• Choice of Mate:– Social exchange model: exchange of assets– Evolutionary model: sex differences in preferences

4. Love• A) Sternberg’s Theory: • 3 Ingredients

– Intimacy: • sharing, communication, support

– Passion: • chemistry, arousal, intensity

– Commitment: • long-term plans, dedication to the relationship

– The presence or absence of these ingredients will determine the type of love that exists between 2 people, leading to:

• 7 flavors of love (see next overhead)

4. B) Love as Attachment p. 677

5. Effects of Physical Appearance on Person Perception

• Halo Effect: – Good-looking people

• seen as more sociable, friendly, poised, warm and well adjusted than those who are less attractive (p. 665)

– What is beautiful is good • Present in young kids (3-6 years)

– No evidence for a relationship between personality traits and appearance• Instilled by the media?

– What is beautiful is competent• Good looking individuals also expected to be more successful• Some evidence for good-looking people to secure better jobs• Self-fulfilling prophecy?

• Seems grossly unfair– Looks are not “earned” they are inherited!– Great example of contradictory evidence

• Snippet of “British Idol” show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

5. Course Evaluation: – Your feedback is important!! – http://courseevaluations.yorku.ca– PSYC 1010 6.0H Prof. Myriam Mongrain

• Final exam:– This Sunday, May 24 at 7 p.m.

• Tait Mackenzie Student Field Houses – (3 hrs) : 74 multiple choice; 5 short answers – Content:

• Lectures since last midterm: Non-cumulative• Chapters 14, 15, 16 from text

– *** Bring photo ID ***:• Current York ID & AND photo-bearing ID