Chapter 14 Social Psychology Social Thinking Social Psychology relate to each other scientific study of how we think about influence and o Emphasis on the situation rather than the individual person Context is very important everyone behaves differently based on the situation they re in Fundamental Attribution Error o Attribution theory the situation or the person s disposition Hostile child we explain someone s behavior by crediting either Aggressive personality Disposition Stress or abuse Situation o Fundamental Attribution Error analyzing another s behavior to underestimate impact of situation and overestimate personal disposition tendency for observers when o More pronounced in Western individualistic cultures than Eastern collectivistic cultures Collectivists talk more about their relationship to the group Individualists talk more about who they are rather individually they emphasize the individual o Observations of self vs other o Effects of Attribution personal political employment Attitudes and Actions o Attitudes feelings often influenced by our beliefs that predispose our reactions to objects people and events o Attitudes Affect Actions Inconvenient Truth Central route to persuasion with favorable thoughts Peripheral route to persuasion e g speaker s attractiveness Social pressures Actions Affect Attitudes o Attitudes follow behavior I act therefore I believe focus on arguments and respond influenced by incidental cues o Foot in the Door Phenomenon the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request o Role Playing Affects Attitudes set of expectations norms about social position Role defining how those in the position ought to behave Person situation interaction o Cognitive Dissonance relief from tension When our attitudes and actions are opposed we experience tension Bring attitudes into line with actions Social Influence Conformity Complying with Social Pressure o Automatic Mimicry language of those around us Chameleon Effect mimic the behaviors dress feelings and Empathetic people mimic more people who can experience other peoples emotions are more likely to conform and mimic other peoples actions People who mimic are more liked then people who don t adjusting behavior or thinking towards group o Conformity and Social Norms Conformity standard Conformity Complying With Social Pressure o Conformity and Social Norms Most likely to conform when Feeling incompetent insecure Group has 3 or more people Everyone else in the group agrees Admire group s status and attractiveness Haven t made prior commitment to response Know others in group will observe our behavior Belong to collectivist culture Reasons for Conforming Normative Social Influence approval Informational Social Influence willingness to accept others opinions about reality resulting from avoid rejection gain social Obedience Following Orders o Milgram Experiment o Obedience is highest when Person giving orders was in close proximity and was perceived to be an authority figure Authority figure perceived to be associated with prestigious institution Victim was depersonalized distant did not use any names were addressed as teacher learner No models for defiance