1. Learning Outcomes Define social psychology. Define attitude and discuss some factors thatshape it. Define social perception and describe thefactors that contribute to it. Explain why people obey authority figuresand conform to social norms. Describe how and why people behavedifferently as group members than asindividuals.3

2. Truth or Fiction? People act in accord with their consciences. We appreciate things more when we have towork for them. 4 3. Truth or Fiction? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Opposites attract.5 4. Truth or Fiction? We tend to hold others responsible for theirmisdeeds but to see ourselves as victims ofcircumstances when we misbehave. Most people will torture an innocent personif they are ordered to do so. 6 5. Truth or Fiction? Seeing is believing. Nearly 40 people stood by and did nothingwhile a woman was being stabbed to death.7 6. What is Social Psychology? Study of the nature and causes of peoplesthoughts and behavior in social situations Situationist perspective Social influence goads people into doing things they would not usually do.8 7. Attitudes 8. The A-B Problem Factors that affect the link between Attitudes(A) and Behavior (B) Specificity Strength of attitudes Vested interest Accessibility 10 9. Attitude Formation Learned attitudes Conditioning or learning by observation Cognitive Appraisal Form opinion after appraisal and evaluation of situation11 10. Changing Attitudes Elaboration likelihood model Central route of persuasionInspires thoughtful consideration of evidence and arguments Peripheral route of persuasionAssociate with positive or negative cues 12 11. The Persuasive Message Repeated exposure to things and peopleenhances their appeal Fear appeal is more persuasive than facts13 12. Communicator and Audience Persuasive communicator Shows expertise, trustworthiness, attractiveness, or similarity to the audience Positive context increases likelihood ofpersuasion People with high self esteem and low socialanxiety are more resistant to social pressure 14 13. Cognitive Dissonance Theory When attitudes and behavior areinconsistent, individuals are motivated toreduce that inconsistency Festinger & Carlsmith (1959) Attitude-discrepant behavior People paid less rated the task more interesting Effort justification15 14. Prejudice and Discrimination Stereotypes fixed conventional attitudes May be positive or negative Prejudice - attitude Cognitive expectation that members of target group will behave poorly Behavioral avoidance, aggression and discrimination16 15. Prejudice and Discrimination Sources of Prejudice Dissimilarity Social conflict Social learning Information processing Social categorization17 16. Interpersonal Attraction Factors contributing to attraction Physical appearance Standards for beauty are cross-cultural Gender differences in preferences Males physical appearance Females professional status18 17. Interpersonal Attraction Attraction-Similarity Hypothesis Our partners tend to be like us Similarity in Attitudes We are attracted to people who share our attitudes Factors that influence our preferences Propinquity19 18. Love Triangular model of love Intimacy Passion Commitment Romantic love combines intimacy and passion Consummate love combines all three 20 19. SocialPerception 20. First Impressions First impressions matter a great deal We infer traits from behavior Primacy effect Recency effect22 21. Attribution Theory Process by which one draws conclusionsabout the influences on anothers behavior Dispositional attributions Internal factors Situational attributions External factors 23 22. Attribution Theory Actor observer effect Fundamental attribution error Attribute too much of others behavior on dispositional Cultural bias individualistic cultures Self-serving bias 24 23. Body Language Communication through posture andgestures Touching Gazing and Staring25 24. Social Influence 25. The Milgram StudiesWhen the learner makes an error, the experimenter prods the teacher todeliver a painful electric shock. 26. Factors Contributing toObedience to Authority Socialization Lack of social comparison Perception of legitimacy of authority figures Foot-in-the-door technique Inaccessibility of values Buffers between perpetrator and victim28 27. Conformity Conform when we change our behavior toadhere to social norms Social norms widely accepted expectationsconcerning social behaviors 29 28. Conformity Asch Study Most people will conform, even when they arewrong 30 29. Ash Study on ConformityWhich line on Card B 1, 2, or 3 is the same length as the line oncard A? Line 2, right? But would you say 2 if you were a memberof a group and six people answering ahead of you all said 3? Areyou sure? 30. Conformity Factors contributing to conformity Collectivist culture Desire to be liked by group members Low self-esteem Social shyness Lack of familiarity with task Group size Social support 32 31. Group Behavior 32. Social Facilitation Presence of others facilitates performance Increased arousal or motivation Evaluation apprehension Presence of others impairs performance Social loafing Diffusion of responsibility 34 33. Group Decision Making Social decision schemes Majority-wins Truth-wins Two-thirds majority First-shift rule 35 34. Polarization and the Risky Shift Polarization taking an extreme position Risky shift Diffusion of responsibility 36 35. Groupthink Unrealistic group decision making in whichexternal realities are ignored Influenced by Cohesiveness of group Dynamic group leader External threat 37 36. Contributors to Groupthink Feelings of invulnerability Groups belief in its rightness Discrediting of information contrary todecision Pressure for group conformity Stereotyping of members of out-group38 37. Mob Behavior and Deindividuation Highly emotional crowds may induce mobbehavior Deindividuation Reduced self-awareness and lower concern ofsocial evaluation39 38. Altruism and the Bystander Effect Factors that influence decision to help Good mood Empathic Believe an emergency exists Assume responsibility to act Know what to do Know the people who need help Similarity to people who need help 40