Exam 12: Social Psychology

Social psychology differs from psychology in its focus on __________.

__________ puts people into categories, with each category having its own set of characteristics.

According to Darley and Latané, the main factor causing people to refrain from helping is not wanting to get involved.

The greater the level of fear in a message, the more effective it will be in changing attitudes.

Which aspect of culture tends to DECREASE rates of conformity?

Do you hold any stereotypes? If so, are they positive or negative assumptions about a group of people? Where do you think your stereotypes came from, and what factors may be involved in maintaining these beliefs?

Vivian and Steve met at work. At first they were just friends, but over time, they found themselves falling in love-or, as Vivian tells her friends, "Steve just grew on me!" According to research in interpersonal attraction, the most likely explanation for their attraction is __________.

According to attribution theory, the explanations we create for our behavior and the behavior of others generally fall into two categories. Describe these two categories. In your essay, discuss key concepts in attribution theory, such as the fundamental attribution error.

Research has found a substantial difference in the tendency of men and women to show conformity, with women being far more likely to demonstrate conformity in all situations.

Which part of the brain has been identified as being particularly active when people experience cognitive dissonance?

A very cohesive group, insulated from outside opinion, with a respected leader must make a decision quickly. As they deliberate, this group should be especially aware of the phenomenon called __________.

What process describes the use of social influence to cause other people to change their attitudes and behavior?

Drew is standing in line at Walmart waiting to pay for his purchases. A man cuts in front of the line and drops his items on the counter. Drew says to his friend, "That man is incredibly rude." A social psychologist who is within earshot jots down a note so she can use the example in class. What does she write concerning Drew?

Stereotype threat involves anxiety and self-consciousness that negatively affect performance and is related to the phenomenon known as a(n) __________.

What does the research say about the concept of opposites attract?

Lincoln thinks that drug use is bad, but he has friends who use illicit drugs and he sometimes gets high himself. Socializing with drug users and using drugs himself illustrate which component of attitude?

When members of a group give priority to the cohesiveness of the group over the facts of a situation, they are engaging in what social psychologists call __________.

What term do psychologists use for the phenomenon that occurs when people are less likely to aid a person in trouble if there are other people around who are also potential helpers?

The tendency to give too much emphasis to personal factors when accounting for other people's actions is called __________.

Over-simplified generalizations about the characteristics of a group are called __________.