Psy-P102 1st Edition Exam # 3 Study GuideWhat is the definition of social psychology?- Studies how person’s behavior is influenced by other people and the environment What are the three important aspects to social psychology? Explain each. - Social cognitiono Mental processes people use to make sense of social environments - Social influenceo Effects of situational factors and other people on an individual’s behavior - Social behavior o How we relate and communicate with each other What are the four characteristics of the first impression?- Characteristics of the other person- Own self-perception- Goals in situation- Specific situation in which process occursWhat is the difference between explicit cognitions versus implicit cognition?- Explicit- Conscious mental processes involved in judgments and reasoning- Implicit- Non-conscious mental processes that influence judgments and reasoning What is social categorization?- Categorizing people into groups on the basis of shared characteristicsWhat are the advantages of social categorization processes?- Natural, efficient, helps organize and remember information about others more effectively What is attribution?- Inferring the causes of people’s behavior What is the fundamental attribution error?- Tendency to attribute the behavior to personal characteristics while ignoring external factors What is the definition of attitude?- A learned tendency to evaluate something in a particular wayWhat are the three components of attitude?- Cognitive componento Thoughts and conclusions about a given topic - Affective component o Emotional aspect- Behavioral component o Attitudes are reflected in action What is the effect of attitudes on behavior?- Attitudes will determine behavior when:o Anticipate a favorable response from otherso Attitudes are frequently expressed o Attitudes formed through direct experiences o Very knowledgeable about subject o Invested interest in the subjectWhat is the actor-observer effect?- Tendency to judge the cause of one’s action differently than when someone else’s doesit Describe cognitive dissonance.- The unpleasant state of psychological tension that occurs when two thoughts are inconsistent - When you are uncomfortably aware that behavior and attitudes are in conflict Describe the concept of classical conditioning?- Elicit emotional response by neutral stimulus that doesn’t show until neutral stimulus elicits an emotional response What is the difference between prejudice and stereotyping?- Prejudice: A negative attitude toward people who belong to a specific social group - Stereotype: Cluster of characteristics that are associated with members of specific social groups What are the differences between ‘in group’ and ‘out group’?- In group: A social group to which one belongs - Out group: A social group to which one does not belongWhat is an in group bias?- Tendency to judge the behavior of in group members favorably and out group members unfavorably How can we overcome prejudice?- It can be overcome when rival groups cooperate to achieve a common goal- Cooperation changes our tendency to categorize the out group from ‘those people’ to ‘us people’Define conformity.- A social influence that involves the study of how behavior is influenced by other people and social environment - When you adjust opinions, judgment or behavior to match the normWhat are factors that influence conformity?- Normative social influence o Desire to be liked and accepted- Informational social influenceo When uncertain; look to group for help What are factors that reduce the influence conformity?- Having an ally that would influence you to go against the majority- If other person’s competence was questionable What is altruism?- Helping another person with no expectation of a reward or