Psychology study guide Chapter 14

Transcription

1 Psychology study guide Chapter 14 Attribution Attribution a conclusion about the cause of an observed behavior / event Attribution theory we explain other s behaviors with two types of attributions Situational attribution Factors outside the person doing the action such as peer pressure Dispositional attribution The person s stable enduring traits (personality ability emotions) Fundamental attribution error Fundamental attribution error: when we go too far in assuming that a persons behavior is caused by their personality Think a behavior demonstrates a trait Tend to overemphasize dispositional and underestimate situational Self vs. others/actions and observers Tend to explain our own behavior partly reverse fundamental attribution error and tend to blame the situation for our failures (although we take credit for our success) Also happens when you take the perspective of another in a situation Cultural differences Collectivist cultures emphasize group unity and allegiance and propose over wishes of the individual Behavior other attributed more to the situation Credit success given to others Blame for failure taken on oneself Emotional affects attribution How we explain someone s behavior affects how we react to it Situational tolerant dispositional not so tolerant attitudes and actions attitude: feelings ideas and beliefs that affect how we approach and react to other people s objects and events attitudes affect our actions persuasion two cognitive pathways affect attitudes central route and persuasion going directly to the rational mind influencing attitudes with evidence and logic peripheral route persuasion changing attitudes by going around he the rational mind and appealing to fears desires associations attitudes affect actions when external influences are minimal attitude is stable Abby Carroll 1

2 the attitude is specific to the behavior attitude is easily recalled action affect attitude foot in the door small compliance large compliance foot in the door tendency to be more likely to agree to a large request after agreeing to a small one people adjust attitudes along with actions linking the people they agreed to help disliking people they agreed to harm playing role become role cognitive dissonance when out actions are not in harmony with our attitudes cognitive dissonance theory the observation that we tend to resolve this dissonance by changing our attitudes to fit our actions conformity refers to adjusting our behavior or thinking to fit in with a group standard automatic mimicry affecting behavior social norms affecting our thinking normative and informational social influence chameleon affect is unconscious mimicry automatic contagious yawning arm folding hand wringing face rubbing adopting regional accents grammar and vocabulary empathetic shifts in mood that fit the mood of the people around us adopting coping styles of parents or peers including violence yelling and withdrawal social norms when we are with other people and perceive a social norm (a correct of normal way to behave or think in this group) the behavior may follow the norm rather than following our own judgement conform when not firmly committed to one set of beliefs or style of behavior, group medium sized and unanimous admired or attracted to the group, group makes you feel incompetent insecure and closely watched culture encourages respect for norms social influence normative social influences: going along with other in pursuit of social approval or belonging (avoid disapproval or rejection) informational social influence: going along with others because the ideas and behavior involve sense the evidence In our social environment changes our minds increase obedience someone with legitimate authority someone associated prestigious institute someone standing close by learner/victim in another room participant obeys/no one disobeys (no role model for defiance) Abby Carroll 2

3 social facilitation individual performance is intensified when you are observed by others simple activities = better complex skills do worse being watched and simply being in crowded conditions increases one s autonomic arousal increase in motivation and confidence increase anxiety those who are not social loafing the tendency of people in a group show less effort when not held individually accountable not rewarded not punished not care what people think no need for my contribution the group will be fine feel free to cheat when they get an equal share in rewards collectivists don t s this a much deindividualization when people are in a group situation involving anonymity and arousal group polarization when people of similar view form a group together discussion within the group makes their own views more extreme different groups become more different more polarized in their views groupthink in pursuit of social harmony (and avoidance open disagreement) groups will make decisions without an open exchange of ideas prevents thinking and a realistic assessment of options prejudice definition: an unjustified (usually negative) attitude toward a group and members of that group beliefs (stereotypes) emotions (hostility envy fear) predisposition to act (discriminate) discrimination unjustified behavior selectively applied to members of a group stereotype: a generalized belief about a group applied to every member of a group attitudes gay marriage not as far as interracial marriages women judged treated unfairly prejudice towards Muslims not subsided much since 9/11 groups in group favor owns own group emotional prejudice scapegoat theory observation that when bad things happen prejudice provides an outlet for anger = find someone to blame temporary frustration link fear prejudice responsive amygdala other race effect: tend to see uniformity in the appearance of other groups and assume other similarities and traits Abby Carroll 3

4 just word fallacy believes justice generally happens people et punishments and benefits that they deserve leads to blaming availability heuristic: stereotypes are built on vivid cases rather than statistics conformation bias: not likely to look for examples to stereotypes hindsight bias: should have known better cognitive dissonance aggression behavior with the intent of harming another person physical verbal planned or reactive variation genetic (heredity) neural (brain) biochemistry (hormones and alcohol) aggression can be selectively bred in animals twins are similar in aggression males are more aggressive underactive frontal lobes (inhibit impulses) linked to aggression testosterone levels correlated with irritability assertiveness impulsiveness decrease tolerance frustration traits linked to testosterone levels facial width linked to testosterone criminals have an increase testosterone decrease serotonin decrease in testosterone decrease in aggression both humans and animals alcohol disinhibited aggressive behavior, aggressive response to frustration, spousal abuse, violent crimes lack attention peacemaking options interpret neutral actions as provoking levels of aggression are influenced by aversive conditions frustration being reinforced modeled in home and media and then adopting those behaviors violence increases on hot days increase in aggression when Pain, heat, foul odors, crowded spaces frustration aggression principle: after repeated frustrating events anger can build find a target and then aggression can erupt possibly against someone wo was not the initial cause of the frustration aggression increases in infrequency and intensity when reinforced parents yell, kids are likely to respond social scripts: culturally constructed directions on how to act downloaded from media as a program of the mind attraction Abby Carroll 4

5 proximity key factor is exposure mere exposure effect merely seeing someone s face and name makes them more likely to develop attraction to someone you ve seen a lot modern age = more attracted to people who look like us physical attraction being the objects of emotional attraction seen as healthy happy successful socially skilled may not seem to care not any happier than the average person not higher level of self-esteem fact mistrust praise about looks standard of attractiveness varies across culture men youth and fertility (what they look for) women masculinity maturity affluence like facial symmetry and averageness also attractive Is nice people and loved ones similarity opposites don t usually attract like those with similar feelings especially if they like us back Similar attitudes beliefs humor interests education romantic love starts with friendship and attraction passionate love compassionate love equality and self-dissonance positive interaction and support passionate love a state of strong attraction interest excitement felt so strongly that people are absorbed in each other physiological arousal = sweat and heart race flattering appraised of the other intense desire for the others presence compassionate love deep caring affectionate attachment/commitment commitment: plan to stay together even when not feeling passionate love more desire than of being together lives are intertwined keys to a lasting love relationship equity giving receiving sharing responsibilities and partnership self-disclosure sharing of self in conversation increases intimacy positive interaction and support sympathy concerns laughs hugs altruism Abby Carroll 5

6 unselfish regard for welfare of other people help and protect others without need for personal gain because it is the right thing to do bystander multiple bystander effect fewer people help when others are around diffusion of responsibility role should not fall on one person crowd follow example of others wait for someone else to go first may rationalize a phenomenon then not help help when people looks like need help women/similar to you,, small town rural area guilt of seeing another person who looks like they need help, not in a hurry, good mood norms / influence helping utilitarianism seeking greatest good greatest number of people social exchange help if seeking approval reciprocity do it if done for us social responsibility first right thing to be done worse social traps situations in which perusing self-interest makes things worse for everyone mirror image perceptions both sides assuming the worst in the other person 4 C s peacemaking Contact exposure and interaction familiarity acceptance connection Cooperation finding shared goals not just focusing on incompatible goals Communication sometimes with mediators Conciliation gestures that reduce tension by showing intention to build alliances rather than winning conflicts. Smile. Apologize Abby Carroll 6