Social PsychologySocial PsychologyCh. 18 and 19Ch. 18 and 19

McElhaneyMcElhaney

““Humans are social Animals” Humans are social Animals” The Study of Human interactionThe Study of Human interaction

Branch of Psych that analyzes how Branch of Psych that analyzes how behaviorbehavior is is influencedinfluenced by presence of by presence of othersothers

Studies Studies how we behavehow we behave, think, feel in , think, feel in Social Situations.Social Situations.

Based on the concept of anBased on the concept of an Attribute Attribute: the : the cause of behaviorcause of behavior

Groups Influence our BehaviorGroups Influence our Behavior

CultureCulture = ongoing pattern of life that is = ongoing pattern of life that is passed from one generation to another.passed from one generation to another.

ComponentsComponents of Culture include: of Culture include: Language, marriage customs, concepts of Language, marriage customs, concepts of

ownership, sex rolesownership, sex roles

RolesRoles

We all hold We all hold social rolessocial roles– PositionsPositions in the structure of in the structure of

a groupa group– PatternsPatterns of behavior of behavior

expected of persons in expected of persons in various social positionsvarious social positions

Roles are Roles are Ascribed-Ascribed- assigned to a personassigned to a person

not under a person’s not under a person’s controlcontrol

Roles:

Mother

Boss

Student

Each has different expectations or sets of behavior.

Achieved RolesAchieved Roles= the opposite of = the opposite of assigned rolesassigned roles

Voluntary rolesVoluntary roles Attained by special effortAttained by special effort

– SpouseSpouse– TeacherTeacher– ScientistScientist

Zimbardo Study-Zimbardo Study- Stanford UniversityStanford University Impact on social rolesImpact on social roles Inmates + guardsInmates + guards Males in a simulated prisonMales in a simulated prison

Found Found destructive destructive roles- cause role roles- cause role behaviorsbehaviors

They had assigned They had assigned social roles-social roles-

““In only a few days, our In only a few days, our guards became sadistic guards became sadistic and our prisoners and our prisoners became depressed and became depressed and showed signs of showed signs of extreme stress.”extreme stress.”

Prisoner rolesPrisoner roles Guard rolesGuard roles

DejectedDejected

TraumatizedTraumatized

PassivePassive

DehumanizedDehumanized

DepressedDepressed

Commanding Commanding

InsultingInsulting

demeaningdemeaning

Zimbardo ResultsZimbardo Results

Many destructive relationships have a Many destructive relationships have a source in source in Learned Roles.Learned Roles.

Role ConflictsRole Conflicts

Two or more roles make conflicting Two or more roles make conflicting demandsdemands

Coach and parentCoach and parent Clashing demandsClashing demands for work, family, for work, family,

schoolschool

Group Structure and CohesionGroup Structure and Cohesion

Factors to Factors to CohesionCohesion=closeness=closeness

Degree of attraction Degree of attraction among group among group membersmembers

Commitment to Commitment to remaining in groupremaining in group

Cohesive groups: Cohesive groups: Sit/sand togetherSit/sand together Pay attention to one Pay attention to one

anotheranother Mutual AffectionMutual Affection Behavior is coordinatedBehavior is coordinated Work better togetherWork better together

StatusStatus

A person’s social A person’s social positionposition in a groupin a group determinesdetermines his or her his or her status-status- or level of or level of social power & importance.social power & importance.

Higher status = privilegesHigher status = privileges Higher status people are treated better- Higher status people are treated better-

Well dressedWell dressed

NormsNorms

Unspoken rules or guidelines Unspoken rules or guidelines Are an accepted standard for appropriate Are an accepted standard for appropriate

behavior for a specific groupbehavior for a specific group

Lax norms cause lax behaviorLax norms cause lax behavior

Social InfluenceSocial Influence

A person’s behavior influences A person’s behavior influences another.another.

A A convergence of beliefs,convergence of beliefs, attitudes = attitudes = change in behaviorchange in behavior

What motivates us to join a group?What motivates us to join a group?

““Desires for Desires for Self-evaluationSelf-evaluation Self-protectionSelf-protection Self-enhancement Self-enhancement

Influence which group we join.Influence which group we join.

Are motives for associating with

others

AffiliationAffiliation-basic principle-basic principle

Basic human traitBasic human trait A A desire to associate with other peopledesire to associate with other people Connected to needs of:Connected to needs of:

Approval, support, friendship, informationApproval, support, friendship, information Helps alleviate – fear and anxietyHelps alleviate – fear and anxiety

We prefer to be with people in similar We prefer to be with people in similar circumstancescircumstances

Behavior of Groups: Behavior of Groups: Group MembershipGroup Membership

Festinger said Festinger said group group membershipmembership fills need for: fills need for:

Social Comparison-Social Comparison- standard standard to judge yourselfto judge yourself

Comparing your own Comparing your own actions, feelings, opinions, actions, feelings, opinions, abilities…abilities…

Must be compared to people Must be compared to people of similar background, of similar background, abilities, circumstancesabilities, circumstances

Downward Comparison:Downward Comparison: Comparison- for self-Comparison- for self-

enhancement- self enhancement- self protectionprotection

Comparing to someone Comparing to someone who ranks lowerwho ranks lower

Upward Comparison:Upward Comparison: Comparison with people of Comparison with people of

higher status- for self higher status- for self improvementimprovement

Social RelationshipsSocial Relationships

Interpersonal AttractionInterpersonal Attraction= affinity to another = affinity to another personperson Is the basis for most voluntary social Is the basis for most voluntary social

relationshipsrelationships

Factors that Influence AttractionFactors that Influence Attraction

Physical proximityPhysical proximity Physical Physical attractivenessattractiveness

Halo Effect-Halo Effect- tendency to generalize favorable tendency to generalize favorable impression to personal characteristicsimpression to personal characteristics

• Attractive people have perceived likeable characteristicsAttractive people have perceived likeable characteristics Beauty vs. Personality = Which works best?Beauty vs. Personality = Which works best? (page 675)(page 675)

CompetenceCompetence- we are attracted to talented - we are attracted to talented peoplepeople

SimilaritySimilarity-age, sex, race, background, interests, -age, sex, race, background, interests, attitudes, beliefsattitudes, beliefs

RelationshipsRelationships

Self-Disclosure-Self-Disclosure- Over Disclosure-Over Disclosure- Reciprocity-Reciprocity-

Gendered FriendshipsGendered Friendships

Personal Space and Personal Space and ProxemicsProxemics

Too close = discomfortToo close = discomfort

Social Perception and Social Perception and AttributionAttribution

Attribution=Attribution= is a cause for behavior is a cause for behavior Attribute-Attribute- (verb) place cause (verb) place cause

through observation of others through observation of others Inferences/judgments about causes of Inferences/judgments about causes of behaviorbehavior

Attributional TheoryAttributional Theory

We tend to ascribe or attribute causes of We tend to ascribe or attribute causes of behavior to:behavior to: External causes: External causes: outside a personoutside a person Internal causesInternal causes: inside a person: inside a person

What should one consider when What should one consider when making attributions?making attributions?

Factors of AttributionFactors of Attribution

ActorActor: Who is it?: Who is it?

Object:Object: What is action What is action directed towards?directed towards?

Setting:Setting: Social or Social or physical environmentphysical environment

ConsistencyConsistency: little : little changes on multiple changes on multiple occasionsoccasions

Distinctiveness:Distinctiveness: Behavior that occurs Behavior that occurs under specific under specific circumstances.circumstances.

Factor of Attribution:Factor of Attribution: Situational DemandsSituational Demands

SD = pressures to behave in certain ways in SD = pressures to behave in certain ways in particular settings and social situationsparticular settings and social situations

The The “situation demands certain behavior”“situation demands certain behavior”

Discount:Discount: Downgrade or disregard internal Downgrade or disregard internal causation when specific External causes are causation when specific External causes are clear…clear…

Consensus-Consensus- agreement, when an attribution is agreement, when an attribution is associated to many associated to many

people-people- external causes external causes

Errors in AttributionErrors in Attribution

Fundamental Attribution Error:Fundamental Attribution Error: to wrongly attribute actions of others to to wrongly attribute actions of others to

internal causesinternal causes We have a tendency to think actions of others We have a tendency to think actions of others

are caused by internal forcesare caused by internal forces Actor-Observer Bias:Actor-Observer Bias:

(I vs. They)(I vs. They) As actors-As actors- we find external explanations for we find external explanations for

our own behavior.our own behavior. As observers-As observers- we attribute behavior of others’ we attribute behavior of others’

wants, motives and personality traitswants, motives and personality traits

Social Exchange TheorySocial Exchange Theory“How profitable is the relationship?”“How profitable is the relationship?” Exchanges of attention, info, affection, Exchanges of attention, info, affection,

favorsfavors Says: we all consciously weigh social Says: we all consciously weigh social

rewards and costs rewards and costs Relationships must be profitable to Relationships must be profitable to

participants:participants: Rewards vs costsRewards vs costs Fun vs Self EsteemFun vs Self Esteem

Love and Liking FactorsLove and Liking Factors

Romantic AttractionRomantic Attraction:: Interpersonal attraction + emotional arousalInterpersonal attraction + emotional arousal

Love = combinations Love = combinations Intimacy, passion, commitment and sexual Intimacy, passion, commitment and sexual

desiredesire Lovers see partners in idealized waysLovers see partners in idealized ways

Helps create the relationship they wish for.Helps create the relationship they wish for.

Love and AttachmentLove and Attachment

Child care-giving attachmentsChild care-giving attachments have impact have impact on adult attachments on adult attachments

We use early attachments as We use early attachments as mental mental modelsmodels (We become what we learn) (We become what we learn)

Secure-Secure- Avoidant-Avoidant- Ambivalent-Ambivalent-

AttachmentsAttachments

Secure Attachment (59%) Secure Attachment (59%) = friendly, good = friendly, good natured, likeablenatured, likeable See others as well intentioned, reliable, trustworthySee others as well intentioned, reliable, trustworthy Generally not worried about being abandonedGenerally not worried about being abandoned

Avoidant Attachment (25%):Avoidant Attachment (25%): Fear of intimacy, tend to resist commitmentFear of intimacy, tend to resist commitment Pull back when things don’t go wellPull back when things don’t go well Suspicious, aloof, skepticalSuspicious, aloof, skeptical Have difficulty trustingHave difficulty trusting Get nervous when people get too close emotionallyGet nervous when people get too close emotionally

Ambivalent AttachmentAmbivalent Attachment

Mixed emotionsMixed emotions and Conflicting feelings and Conflicting feelings Affection, anger, emotional turmoil, physical Affection, anger, emotional turmoil, physical

attraction, doubtattraction, doubt

Self regard-Self regard- misunderstood, unappreciated misunderstood, unappreciated

See others-See others- unreliable, unable or unwilling to unreliable, unable or unwilling to commit to lasting relationshipscommit to lasting relationships

Worry-Worry- partners don’t really love them or may partners don’t really love them or may leave, they want to be close but have doubtsleave, they want to be close but have doubts

Evolution and Mate Selection:Evolution and Mate Selection:MenMen

Evolutionary psychEvolutionary psych= study of evolutionary = study of evolutionary origins of behavior or patternsorigins of behavior or patterns

Patterns:Patterns: Men are interested in casual sexMen are interested in casual sex Men prefer younger, more physically Men prefer younger, more physically

attractive partnersattractive partners Men are jealous over real or imagined Men are jealous over real or imagined

infidelityinfidelity Men look for reproductive capabilities, youth, Men look for reproductive capabilities, youth,

health, beautyhealth, beauty

Evolution and Mate Selection: Evolution and Mate Selection: WomenWomen

Prefer slightly older partnersPrefer slightly older partners Industrious, high status, economic Industrious, high status, economic

successsuccess Become upset by Become upset by emotional infidelityemotional infidelity more more

than sexual unfaithfulnessthan sexual unfaithfulness Evolved-Evolved-

Nurturing of youngNurturing of young Interest in longevity of relationshipsInterest in longevity of relationships

Social InfluencesSocial Influences

““Changes in behavior are induced by Changes in behavior are induced by action of others.”action of others.”

Types of Social Influence:Types of Social Influence:– SuggestionSuggestion– Intensive IndoctrinationIntensive Indoctrination– Group Pressure= ConformityGroup Pressure= Conformity– ObedienceObedience

Group Pressure= ConformityGroup Pressure= Conformity

People become People become aware of differencesaware of differences between between themselvesthemselves and actions, norms or values of and actions, norms or values of others in group.others in group.

ConformityConformity= pressure for uniformity of members= pressure for uniformity of members ““Brings one’s own behavior into agreement with Brings one’s own behavior into agreement with

norms or the behavior of others”norms or the behavior of others”

NormsNorms= unspoken rules of conduct, normal or = unspoken rules of conduct, normal or acceptable behavioracceptable behavior

ConformityConformity

Conformist-Conformist- to not be considered strange to not be considered strange or frighteningor frightening

Conformity Conformity refers to an individual’s refers to an individual’s behavior that behavior that adheres to the behavior adheres to the behavior patternpattern of aof a particular particular group-group- that a person that a person belongs to.belongs to.

Non-conformistNon-conformist- independent thinking- independent thinking

Who ConformsWho Conforms??

People with high needs for structurePeople with high needs for structure Anxious Anxious Low self esteem and low self confidenceLow self esteem and low self confidence Concerned with approvalConcerned with approval Culture that emphasizes group Culture that emphasizes group

cooperationcooperation

Solomon AschSolomon Asch

Studied conformity- found that people Studied conformity- found that people conform to the will of the group-conform to the will of the group-

““The Power of Conformity”The Power of Conformity”Asch (1955) Asch (1955) Social PressureSocial Pressure

1.1. Summarize the Theoretical propositionsSummarize the Theoretical propositions

2.2. Describe the methodDescribe the method

3.3. Summarize the resultsSummarize the results

4.4. Significance of StudySignificance of Study Factors that impact Conforming BehaviorFactors that impact Conforming Behavior

A.A. Social SupportSocial Support

B.B. AttractionAttraction

C.C. Size of GroupSize of Group

D.D. SEXSEX

Group Factors in ConformityGroup Factors in Conformity

To enforce conformity= To enforce conformity= group sanctionsgroup sanctions NegativeNegative= ridicule, laughing, staring, = ridicule, laughing, staring,

social disapproval, rejection/exclusionsocial disapproval, rejection/exclusion

Sanctions work only if the subject wants to Sanctions work only if the subject wants to be part of the group.be part of the group.

Social SupportSocial Support- for - for Non-conformistsNon-conformists

Support for non-conformists-Support for non-conformists- When someone agrees with non- When someone agrees with non-conformist conformist

It encourages- resistance to conformityIt encourages- resistance to conformity

AttractionAttraction: More attraction to the group (Reference Group) -> the more : More attraction to the group (Reference Group) -> the more likely you are to conform to behavior and attitudes of group.likely you are to conform to behavior and attitudes of group.

Size of the GroupSize of the Group:: The tendency to conform increases as the size of the group The tendency to conform increases as the size of the group

increases (6-7)increases (6-7)

Sex/GenderSex/Gender There is some evidence to suggest women are more There is some evidence to suggest women are more

likely to conformlikely to conform

People conform when appropriate behavior is unclear.People conform when appropriate behavior is unclear. Culture impacts conformityCulture impacts conformity Collectivist CountriesCollectivist Countries: : Goals of the group in relation to goals of the Goals of the group in relation to goals of the

individual.individual.

What is Group Think?What is Group Think?

Phenomenon of group behavior:Phenomenon of group behavior: People want to People want to maintain approval-maintain approval- even even

if decisions are bad.if decisions are bad.

Authority-Authority- group members hesitate to group members hesitate to question authorityquestion authority

They think as a group instead of They think as a group instead of thinking about outcomes independentlythinking about outcomes independently

To Prevent Group Think:To Prevent Group Think:Define group rolesDefine group roles

Critical evaluatorCritical evaluator Stick to the facts-avoid biasStick to the facts-avoid bias Include Include “devils advocate”“devils advocate” Group accountabilityGroup accountability Search for alternative solutionsSearch for alternative solutions Re-evaluate important decisionsRe-evaluate important decisions

When is it appropriate to resist When is it appropriate to resist authority?: authority?: ObedienceObedience

Milgram Study: Obedience Study(1963)

Yale University, Yale University, ““Obey at Any Cost” Subjects “gave” Obey at Any Cost” Subjects “gave”

electric shocks to “learners” giving electric shocks to “learners” giving shocks.shocks.

Milgram’s IdeasMilgram’s Ideas

The tendency to obey is The tendency to obey is deeply ingraineddeeply ingrained.. It It cancels outcancels out a person’s ability to behave a person’s ability to behave

morallymorally, , ethicallyethically, and , and sympatheticallysympathetically.. People have a People have a tendency to obey people of tendency to obey people of

authority-authority- even if they violate their own even if they violate their own codes of behavior.codes of behavior.

They would They would inflict paininflict pain on people if on people if ordered to do so.ordered to do so.

Milgram Findings and ImplicationsMilgram Findings and Implications

Distance to subject being shocked was a factorDistance to subject being shocked was a factor Closer to victimCloser to victim= less obedience= less obedience

Distance of Authority figureDistance of Authority figure = direct relationship = direct relationship to obedience-to obedience- Farther away = less obedienceFarther away = less obedience

When orders come from authorityWhen orders come from authority figures- figures- people people rationalizerationalize that they are that they are not responsiblenot responsible. .

**A personal act of courage or moral fortitude by one or **A personal act of courage or moral fortitude by one or two members of a group may free others to obey- unjust two members of a group may free others to obey- unjust authority.authority.

Compliance-Compliance-

One person bends to the authority of One person bends to the authority of another person who has little authorityanother person who has little authority

Pressure to comply- affects everyday Pressure to comply- affects everyday peoplepeople

Compliance and Sales Pressure Compliance and Sales Pressure

Foot in the Door:Foot in the Door: a person who first agrees a person who first agrees to a small request- will more likely comply to a small request- will more likely comply with a larger demandwith a larger demand

Door in the faceDoor in the face: With the idea of refusing : With the idea of refusing a large request is a tendency to comply a large request is a tendency to comply with a smaller request.with a smaller request.

Low BallLow Ball: get the person to commit to an : get the person to commit to an act, then make terms of acting less act, then make terms of acting less desirabledesirable

Passive CompliancePassive Compliance

Quietly bending to unreasonable demands Quietly bending to unreasonable demands or unacceptable conditionsor unacceptable conditions

People have a tendency to avoid People have a tendency to avoid confrontationconfrontation

Ignore- personal insults, rebuffs, sacrifices Ignore- personal insults, rebuffs, sacrifices of dignityof dignity

““Not Practicing What you Preach”Not Practicing What you Preach”By LaPiere (1934) on By LaPiere (1934) on AttitudesAttitudes

1.1. Summarize the Theoretical propositionsSummarize the Theoretical propositions2.2. Describe the methodDescribe the method3.3. Summarize the resultsSummarize the results4.4. Significance of StudySignificance of Study

Factors impacting consistency between attitudes and Factors impacting consistency between attitudes and behaviorbehaviorA.A. Strength of AttitudeStrength of AttitudeB.B. Stability of attitudeStability of attitudeC.C. Relevance of attitudeRelevance of attitudeD.D. Salience of attitudeSalience of attitudeE.E. Situational pressuresSituational pressures

LaPiere- LaPiere- Attitude Thought and ActionAttitude Thought and Action

Factors impacting consistency between attitudes and Factors impacting consistency between attitudes and behaviorbehavior

A.A. Strength of Attitude-Strength of Attitude-B.B. Stability of attitudeStability of attitudeC.C. Relevance of attitudeRelevance of attitudeD.D. Salience of attitudeSalience of attitudeE.E. Situational pressuresSituational pressures

Social PressuresSocial Pressures

We are constantly under pressure to conform, We are constantly under pressure to conform, obey, comply-obey, comply-

We need to recognize and resist these pressures.We need to recognize and resist these pressures.

AssertivenessAssertiveness AggressionAggression VictimizationVictimization

Bystander InteractionBystander Interaction “To Help or Not to Help”“To Help or Not to Help”

Darley and Latane (1968)Darley and Latane (1968)

Kitty Genovese Murder-Kitty Genovese Murder-

1.1. Summarize the Theoretical propositionsSummarize the Theoretical propositions

2.2. Describe the methodDescribe the method

3.3. Summarize the resultsSummarize the results

4.4. Significance of StudySignificance of Study

Darley and Lantane: Darley and Lantane: Kitty Genovese MurderKitty Genovese Murder

Why didn’t more people help Kitty Why didn’t more people help Kitty Genovese?Genovese? Factors in Bystander InteractionFactors in Bystander Interaction Diffusion of ResponsibilityDiffusion of Responsibility Social InfluenceSocial Influence Personal ResponsibilityPersonal Responsibility Evaluation apprehensionEvaluation apprehension Fives Steps of ActionFives Steps of Action Social ComparisonSocial Comparison Acquaintances and Bystander EffectAcquaintances and Bystander Effect Knowledge of Bystander EffectKnowledge of Bystander Effect

Darley and Lantane: Darley and Lantane: Five Steps to DecisionFive Steps to Decision

1.1. Notice Notice

2.2. NeedNeed

3.3. Personal Responsibility, Personal Responsibility,

4.4. Decision-cost benefit analysis- Decision-cost benefit analysis-

5.5. Take actionTake action