Social Psychology Final Exam Research Methods Know what social psychology is and what the definition is o Definition The scientific study of how people think about influence and relate to others o Applies the scientific method o Systematically observes and measures behavior o Focuses on people o Person X situation interactions o Attitudes Evaluations o Conformity Persuasion o Behavior o Kind Aggressive Know what experimental designs are and what correlation designs are and what they can do and how they are different from each other o Experimental designs Two key features Random assignment of participants Controlled manipulation of independent variable Two types of variables Independent Dependent tests Operational definitions A researcher wonders if having candy in class will help students do better on An experiment is conducted where participants are exposed to very bright light bright light and dim light and their comprehension of a reading passage is evaluated A study investigates whether people sleep better when soft music is played or when the room is silent IV socially Rejected or Accepted Manipulate Independent Variable IV write about a time you felt socially rejected write about a time you felt socially accepted Random Assignment People have equal chance of being assigned to rejection condition or accepted condition Measure dependent variable DV DV How long can participants hold their hand in ice water o Correlation designs Goal test how one variable is associated with another variable Hypothesis there is a positive relationship between money and happiness Is there a relationship Ask participants how much they make and how happy they are Correlation coefficient r Ranges from 1 to 1 Absolute value indicates magnitude closer to 1 stronger closer to 0 weaker Sign indicates direction r 1 r 9 r 0 LAW of CORRELATION Correlation DOES NOT equal causation But if two variables are causally related they will be correlated Correlation is a necessary but not sufficient factor of causality Know what the key components are that make up experimental research o Two key features Random assignment of participants Controlled manipulation of independent variable Know what these are and be able to identify them in a description of a study The variable manipulated by the researcher that is assumed to lead to changes in o Two types of variables Independent variable Dependent variable o Operational definitions o Independent Variables the dependent variable o Dependent Variables o Operational Definitions o Internal Validity dependent variable o External Validity The variable in a study that represents the result of the events and processes Observable operations procedures and measurements that are based on the independent and dependent variables The extent to which changes in the independent variable changes un the The extent to which the findings from a study can be generalized to other people other settings and other time periods o Reliability A measure that gives consistent results o Unobservable constructs that are linked together in some logical way principles that Know what a theory is explain predicted and observed results Know what a hypothesis is o An idea about the possible nature of reality a prediction tested in an experiment What is the difference between a theory and a hypothesis o They are closely related o Hypotheses generated from theory o Theories built from confirmed hypotheses and other empirical evidence Attitudes and Cognitive Dissonance means Know the study by Lord Ross and Lepper 1979 what did they do what did they find what it o Attitude polarization o Participants were extremely pro or anti capital punishment o Read 2 studies one pro and one anti capital punishment o Did they change their views in face of mixed evidence o NOPE Became MORE in favor of initial stance Know what the Halo Effect is o The assumption that because people have one desirable trait they also possess many other desirable traits Know what Attitude Polarization is and how it works o Attitudes become more extreme by convincing ourselves they are right Know about Cognitive Dissonance how it works why and when it does and does not occur etc o the state of having inconsistent thoughts beliefs or attitudes especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change Know the Festinger and Carlsmith 1959 study o turn knobs for an hour o paid 1 or 20 to tell next person that study is interesting or no lie control group o measured pp s attitude toward knob turning What is an attitude o A favorable unfavorable indifferent or ambivalent evaluative reaction toward something or someone When do attitudes best predict behavior o Attitude is strong o Vested interest o Accessible o Measured at same level of specificity o Other influences on behavior minimized Social Influence and Persuasion means etc etc person to conform Know about the Asch 1955 line experiment study what was done what were results what it o Investigates the extent to which social pressure from a majority group could affect a Know the Freedman and Fraser 1966 study what was done what were results what it means o Could researchers convince homeowners to put up huge billboard in their front yard Know about all the various social influence techniques and how they work o Foot in the Door technique CONSISTENCY Gaining compliance with a request by first gaining compliance with a smaller request Initial commitment leads to subsequent consistent behavior o Low Ball technique CONSISTENCY Requester gets a person to comply with a seemingly low cost request only to later reveal hidden additional costs o Door in the Face technique RECIPROCITY Gaining compliance with a request by preceding it with a larger request one they are likely to turn down o That s Not All technique RECIPROCITY Begins with request but prior to response adds in bonus o The pique technique CAPTUREING AND DISTUPTING ATTENTION An influence technique that captures attention by making a novel request Know about the 4 basic principles of social influence what they mean how they work etc o 1 commitment and consistency Consistency feeling compelled to act in ways that are consistent with out previous choices o 2 reciprocity o 3 scarcity Feeling obligated to repay what others have done for you Rare opportunities or items are more valuable or at least seem to be o 4 capturing and disrupting attention Know what the 2 important factors about the source person are when delivering a persuasive
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