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Social Psychology Social Psychology We cannot live for We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected our lives are connected by a thousand invisible by a thousand invisible threads….. threads…..

Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

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Page 1: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Social PsychologySocial Psychology

We cannot live for ourselves We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand connected by a thousand

invisible threads…..invisible threads…..

Page 2: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

What is Social What is Social PsychologyPsychology

• Social Psychology: The scientific Social Psychology: The scientific study of how we think about, study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another.influence, and relate to one another.– Social Psychologists: Explore the Social Psychologists: Explore the

connections between people by connections between people by scientifically studying how we think scientifically studying how we think about, influence, and relate to one about, influence, and relate to one another.another.

Page 3: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Attribution TheoryAttribution Theory

• People usually attribute others’ behavior People usually attribute others’ behavior either to their internal dispositions or to either to their internal dispositions or to their external situation (is the behavior their external situation (is the behavior due to the person’s situation or due to the person’s situation or disposition).disposition).– A teacher may wonder if a child’s hostility A teacher may wonder if a child’s hostility

reflects an aggressive personality or a reflects an aggressive personality or a reaction to stress or abuse.reaction to stress or abuse.• Problem: Fundamental Attribution Error Problem: Fundamental Attribution Error

(overestimating the influence of personality and (overestimating the influence of personality and underestimating the influence of situations)underestimating the influence of situations)

– Republican vs. Democrat (people vs. society / Katrina)Republican vs. Democrat (people vs. society / Katrina)

Page 4: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Attitudes and ActionsAttitudes and Actions

• Attitudes are feelings, based on our Attitudes are feelings, based on our beliefs, that predispose our beliefs, that predispose our reactions to objects, people, and reactions to objects, people, and events.events.– If we believe someone is mean, we may If we believe someone is mean, we may

feel dislike for the person and act feel dislike for the person and act unfriendly.unfriendly.

Page 5: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Attitudes Affect Action and Attitudes Affect Action and Vice VersaVice Versa

• Our attitudes often affect our actions.Our attitudes often affect our actions.– Example of Attitude affecting Action:Example of Attitude affecting Action:

• Democratic leaders didn’t agree with President Bush’s Democratic leaders didn’t agree with President Bush’s decision to attack Iraq but voted in support of it anyway decision to attack Iraq but voted in support of it anyway because of overwhelming public support for Bush. because of overwhelming public support for Bush.

• Similarly, our actions often affect our Similarly, our actions often affect our attitudes.attitudes.– Example of Action affecting Attitude: Example of Action affecting Attitude:

• Cult involvement (Brainwashing)Cult involvement (Brainwashing)– Initially you disagree but you become involved and feel Initially you disagree but you become involved and feel

acceptance based on the actions of the cult leaders and acceptance based on the actions of the cult leaders and end up forming a positive opinion of the cult.end up forming a positive opinion of the cult.

Page 6: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Foot-In-The-Door Foot-In-The-Door PhenomenonPhenomenon

• The tendency for people who agree to a The tendency for people who agree to a small action to comply later with a larger small action to comply later with a larger one. one. – To get people to agree to something big, start To get people to agree to something big, start

small and build.small and build.• A small thing makes the next one, although slightly A small thing makes the next one, although slightly

larger, seem “not so bad” (i.e. stealing / gangs).larger, seem “not so bad” (i.e. stealing / gangs).• Works for good things, too (contributions).Works for good things, too (contributions).• Role playing affects attitude (you’re a Role playing affects attitude (you’re a

parent/student now)parent/student now)• Zimbardo Experiment of 1972 Zimbardo Experiment of 1972

Page 7: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Social InfluenceSocial Influence

• Why do things like suicides and Why do things like suicides and school violence (Columbine, etc.) school violence (Columbine, etc.) come in groups?come in groups?

Page 8: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Answer…Answer…

• Conformity and Obedience: Conformity and Obedience: – Behavior is contagious (yawn/traffic Behavior is contagious (yawn/traffic

gawkers)gawkers)– We are natural mimics (our attempt at We are natural mimics (our attempt at

feeling the way others do – this is how feeling the way others do – this is how we learn empathy)we learn empathy)• We’re happy around happy people and sad We’re happy around happy people and sad

around sad people.around sad people.

Page 9: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Group Pressure and Group Pressure and ConformityConformity

• Definition of Conformity: Adjusting Definition of Conformity: Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.with a group standard.– Conditions that strengthen conformity:Conditions that strengthen conformity:

• When you are made to feel When you are made to feel incompetent/insecureincompetent/insecure

• When a group has at least three peopleWhen a group has at least three people• When the group is unanimousWhen the group is unanimous• When one admires the group’s statusWhen one admires the group’s status• When others in the group observe one’s When others in the group observe one’s

behaviorbehavior– i.e. sororityi.e. sorority

Page 10: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Why Do We Conform?Why Do We Conform?

• Normative Social Influence: Normative Social Influence: – We are sensitive to social norms – We are sensitive to social norms –

understood rules for accepted and expected understood rules for accepted and expected behavior – because the price we pay for behavior – because the price we pay for being different may be severe.being different may be severe.

• Informational Social Influence: Informational Social Influence: – Influence resulting from one’s willingness to Influence resulting from one’s willingness to

accept others’ opinions about reality. If we accept others’ opinions about reality. If we are unsure of what is right, and if being right are unsure of what is right, and if being right matters, we are receptive to others’ opinions.matters, we are receptive to others’ opinions.

Page 11: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

ObedienceObedience

• Stanley Milgram’s experiment of Stanley Milgram’s experiment of 19631963– Yale University: The effects of Yale University: The effects of

punishment on learningpunishment on learning

Page 12: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Other Influences…..Other Influences…..

• Social FacilitationSocial Facilitation– You will improve your performance when you You will improve your performance when you

compete against others.compete against others.• Exception: when we perform unfamiliar tasks in the Exception: when we perform unfamiliar tasks in the

presence of others, we perform more poorly.presence of others, we perform more poorly.

• Social LoafingSocial Loafing– In a group, people tend to exert less effort when In a group, people tend to exert less effort when

pooling their efforts toward attaining a common pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goalgoal

• DeindividuationDeindividuation– The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint

occurring in group situations that foster arousal occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.and anonymity.

Page 13: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Social RelationsSocial Relations

• Prejudice: An unjustifiable attitude toward Prejudice: An unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice a group and its members. Prejudice generally involves stereotyped beliefs, generally involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action.discriminatory action.– Stereotype: A generalized belief about a group Stereotype: A generalized belief about a group

of people.of people.• RaceRace• GenderGender• Sexual PreferenceSexual Preference

– Overt prejudice is better but subtle prejudice lingersOvert prejudice is better but subtle prejudice lingers• All starts with the desire to fit in (in-group)All starts with the desire to fit in (in-group)

Page 14: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

AggressionAggression

• Definition: Any physical or verbal Definition: Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy.behavior intended to hurt or destroy.– Genetic InfluenceGenetic Influence– Neural Influence (damage to frontal lobe)Neural Influence (damage to frontal lobe)

• Study of 15 death-row inmatesStudy of 15 death-row inmates

– Biochemical Influence (hormones, alcohol, Biochemical Influence (hormones, alcohol, etc)etc)

– Other factors:Other factors:– Extreme temperatureExtreme temperature– OstracismOstracism

Page 15: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

More on AggressionMore on Aggression

• Frustration-aggression principle:Frustration-aggression principle:– Frustration creates anger, which may in Frustration creates anger, which may in

some people generate aggression, some people generate aggression, especially in the presence of an aggressive especially in the presence of an aggressive cue.cue.• Look at recent situations where a basketball Look at recent situations where a basketball

player was frustrated with his team’s player was frustrated with his team’s performance, which led to his aggressive performance, which led to his aggressive behavior toward a fan who threw a cup of beer behavior toward a fan who threw a cup of beer at him…………..at him…………..

– What were various factors that led to the aggression?What were various factors that led to the aggression?

Page 16: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Factors to ConsiderFactors to Consider

• TestosteroneTestosterone• High arousal level of players and High arousal level of players and

frustrated fansfrustrated fans• Alcohol consumptionAlcohol consumption

Page 17: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

• Observing models of aggressionObserving models of aggression– Movies Movies – Video gamesVideo games

• Learning that aggression is Learning that aggression is rewardingrewarding– ““Act like a man.”Act like a man.”

Page 18: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

AttractionAttraction

• Proximity (geographic nearness) is Proximity (geographic nearness) is friendship’s most powerful predictor.friendship’s most powerful predictor.– We tend to like, date, and marry people in We tend to like, date, and marry people in

the same neighborhood, school, the same neighborhood, school, workplace, etc.workplace, etc.• Repeated exposure increases our liking of Repeated exposure increases our liking of

them.them.

• Mere Exposure EffectMere Exposure Effect– What is familiar is safe and approachableWhat is familiar is safe and approachable– The woman who married the mail carrierThe woman who married the mail carrier

Page 19: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Beliefs About Beliefs About AppearanceAppearance

• We believe attractive people are We believe attractive people are healthier, happier, more sensitive, healthier, happier, more sensitive, more successful, and more socially more successful, and more socially skilled.skilled.– Not usually perceived to be more honest Not usually perceived to be more honest

or compassionate, though.or compassionate, though.• Why?Why?

• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…..Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…..

Page 20: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

AltruismAltruism

• Definition: Unselfish regard for the Definition: Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.welfare of others.– Name some people that come to mind Name some people that come to mind

(common or famous).(common or famous).

Page 21: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Altruism and the Bystander Altruism and the Bystander EffectEffect

– Altruism became a major concern of Altruism became a major concern of social psychologists on March 13, 1964.social psychologists on March 13, 1964.• Kitty GenoveseKitty Genovese

– Bystander Effect: Bystander Effect: • We will help only if the situation enables us to We will help only if the situation enables us to

notice the incident, interpret it as an notice the incident, interpret it as an emergency, and assume responsibility for emergency, and assume responsibility for helping.helping.

• The presence of others deters people from The presence of others deters people from helping…Why?helping…Why?

Page 22: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

More on the Bystander More on the Bystander EffectEffect

• We are most likely to help when:We are most likely to help when:– The victim appears to need and deserve helpThe victim appears to need and deserve help– The victim is in some way similar to usThe victim is in some way similar to us– We have just observed someone else being We have just observed someone else being

helpfulhelpful– We are not in a hurryWe are not in a hurry– We are in a small town or rural areaWe are in a small town or rural area– We are feeling guiltyWe are feeling guilty– We are focused on others and not We are focused on others and not

preoccupiedpreoccupied– We are in a good moodWe are in a good mood

Page 23: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Social Exchange TheorySocial Exchange Theory

• Our social behavior is an exchange Our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.maximize benefits and minimize costs.– Example: giving blood / weigh the pros Example: giving blood / weigh the pros

and consand cons• Reciprocity norm (we should help those who Reciprocity norm (we should help those who

have helped us)have helped us)– Tips to the waiter/waitressTips to the waiter/waitress

• Social-responsibility norm (we should help Social-responsibility norm (we should help those who need our help). those who need our help).

Page 24: Social Psychology We cannot live for ourselves alone. All of our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads…

Question for You..Question for You..

• Who do we most often tend to help?Who do we most often tend to help?

• Who are you (individually) most Who are you (individually) most likely to offer assistance to?likely to offer assistance to?