1 Psychology Ciccarelli and White C H A P T E R 12: S O C I A L P S Y C H O L O G Y What is social psychology? It is the scientific study of how the individual functions as a result of being a part of social systems (groups of people where we work, live, etc.) Others influence the individual How the individual thinks about the self Social interaction: the impact on the individual as a result of relating to others, both positive and negative Kurt Lewin (field theory) How is that different from sociology? Social Psychology: How an individual works within a group Sociology: How groups work together
2 Conformity: altering one s behavior to match the behavior of others. Confederate Studies Asch (1951) 1/3 conformed More applicable with larger number of confederates http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=-qljqr4gmkw http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=yngcrm0zyro http://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=ts7p-eo-coo Irving Janis Groupthink -group cohesion is maintained overriding other facts and information that dispute s the group s thinking. Common elements: Leader insists on a certain position Group then maintains that position Hazards http://www.youtube.com/watch?nr=1&v=josyyjwc-yi
3 How do we minimize groupthink? Leaders stay impartial Consult with others outside the group to make decisions Secret ballad voting Make it clear that all individuals are responsible for their choices (when the responsibility is given over to the group this is called deindividuation of the member in that group) Compliance - An individual s behavior change based on another person or group asking/directing them to change. Obedience when the person or group that is asking/directing an individual to change is considered to be an authority or an authority figure What is the difference between conformity, groupthink, compliance, and obedience? What appears to be the same?
4 Types of group behaviors Group Behaviors: Social facilitation others improve performance Social impairment others decrease performance Social loafing individually capable people who loaf in a group setting Motivation for Group Behaviors: Social facilitation & Social impairment both increase arousal Social loafing is motivated by group evaluation as opposed to individual motivation Attitude a positive or negative emotional response to an idea, object, person, or situation. Note: Attitudes can be assumptions How predictive is attitudes for behavior? Self report Other variables Strength Cognitive dissonance Affective Cognitive Behavioral Who do we form attitudes? Direct contact Direct instruction Interaction with others/observation of others Through media; educational system How do we change attitudes? Persuasion a person s opinion is changed through explanation, argument, or appeal. Elements that influence persuasion the communicator, message, and target audience
5 Impression formation first knowledge of another; it is a source of prediction about the person Socially categorize Why do we do this? When would this be a problem? Stereotypes A characteristic or set of characteristics believed to be shared by all members of a particular social category Are stereotypes always negative? Can stereotypes be useful? How do we explain our actions and the actions of others? Attributions Attributional theory Fritz Heider Situational cause Dispositional cause Fundamental attribution error Cultural point: China, Hong Kong, Japan, & Korea
6 How the individual thinks about the self Self concept all that you know about yourself Characteristics: gender, disposition, interests, etc. Self awareness self is the object of attention Self-esteem self evaluation Common beliefs Negative aspects Self-serving bias Social Identity Theory: Social categorization Social Identity Social Comparison Self-fulfilling prophecy Prejudice typically a negative stereotype Discrimination when a prejudice is acted upon and you treat the person you have a prejudice for differently than others.
7 Types of prejudice/ discrimination: gender, age, religion, poor people, sexual orientation, race/culture, etc. In group/out group Realistic conflict theory (resources) Scapegoating How do we combat prejudice and discrimination? Experiential knowledge In group/ out group intergroup contact Common experiences Understanding of cultural differences Caveat: same situation, power status is equal Helping others Altruism to offer help without expectation of reward Why do people help? Close connection to helper Why people won t help The case of Kitty Genovese Bystander effect Latane & Darley: smoke filled room experiment Diffusion of responsibility
8 For Next Time: Personality Psychology For next time: http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/