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Social Psychology
What is Social Psychology?
Branch of psychology concerned with the way individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others. Part 1
Person Perception & Stereotypes Attributions
Part 2 Attitudes & Persuasion Social Influence
Person Perception
Our impressions of other people
We form opinions about people based on very little information
Who is more competent?
A. Left
B. Right
Who is friendlier?
A. Left
B. Right
Who is more sociable?
A. Left
B. Right
Who is more attractive?
A. Left
B. Right
Who is more attractive?
A. Left
B. Right
Who is more attractive?
A. Left
B. Right
Halo Effect
A cognitive bias whereby the perception of one trait (i.e. a characteristic of a person or object) is influenced by the perception of another trait (or several traits) of that person or object
Example: Thinking a beautiful person is also intelligent
Stereotypes about attractive people
There is little correlation between physical attractiveness and personality traits Why do we tend to incorrectly assume that
beautiful people are smarter, more fun, and friendlier?
Stereotypes: generalized beliefs and expectations about a particular group and its members
If you were a teacher, which students would you expect to be high achievers?
A. Left
B. Right
“Thugs” “Punks”
“Good Students”
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
If a teacher thinks her students who dress a certain way lack ambition, she will treat them in a certain way that brings out a lack of ambition.
Is this a reason to have dress codes or uniforms?
A. Yes
B. No
Where do our stereotypes come from?
Johnny’s dad tells a bunch of racist jokes and his dad’s friends laugh hysterically. Now Johnny tells these jokes at school.
A. Social Identity Theory
B. Classical conditioning
C. Observational learning
D. Media’s influence
Melanie loves to watch The Sopranos. When she meets an Italian kid at school, she asks him if his dad is in the mafia.
A. Social Identity Theory
B. Classical conditioning
C. Observational learning
D. Media’s influence
Sandra comes from a family that is very proud of their African American heritage. Her grandmother has taught her that black is beautiful and that other races are not. She tells Sandra that she should only date and marry African American men. Sandra spends very little time around white people and has no interest in doing so.
A. Social Identity TheoryB. Classical conditioningC. Observational learningD. Media’s influence
Where does prejudice come from?
Observational learning
Media
Social Identity Theory We use group membership as a sense of pride and
self-worth, which can be good, but… This can result in hatred towards “out groups”
Stereotypes
Widely held beliefs that people have certain characteristics because of their group membership
Gender, Ethnic, Age, Sexual Orientation, and Occupational stereotypes
Simplification at cost of accuracy stereotypes -> evaluations (prejudice) -> discrimination Putting someone in a small, distorted social box is
limiting and insulting
Stereotypes cont.
Why is it so hard to change people’s stereotypes? When someone who judges people using stereotypes
(prejudice) meets a likeable member of the out-group, they consider this person the “exception to the rule.”
How can they be changed? Equal-status, cooperative contact
Research shows that personal contact with a disliked group at work/school can lead to mutual good feelings if there are not obvious differences in power or status
Have negative stereotypes about African Americans improved?
Doll Test Research
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSFqnUFOns
What have we covered so far?
Person Perception Stereotypes
About attractive people (and the Halo Effect) Self-fulfilling prophecy Origins of stereotypes
Observational Learning Social Identity Theory Media
Changing Stereotypes Doll Test Research
Everyday we form impressions about why people do what they do based on very
small amounts of information.
ATTRIBUTIONS
Attributions
Our assumptions about why we and others do the things we do.
We like to make sense of our world, so we make up explanations for why things happen.
Influence our reactions toward others.
Internal vs. external
How would you feel if your son wrecked your car because…
It was snowing…
External Attribution
How would you feel if your son wrecked your car because…
He was speeding…
Internal Attribution
The woman in line in front of you is using food stamps to pay for her purchases. If you had to choose one of the options below, which would you choose?
A. She is lazy.
B. She is uneducated.
C. She is not intelligent.
D. She got laid off.
If you have ever used food stamps, or if you use them in the future, which of the following would be the most likely reason?
A. You are lazy.
B. You are uneducated.
C. You are not intelligent.
D. You got laid off.
Think about the last time you got a bad grade. What was the main cause?
A. It was my teacher’s fault.
B. I didn’t study enough.
C. I didn’t try hard enough.
D. My motivation was low.
Think about the last time you got a good grade. What was the main cause?
A. My teacher is easy.
B. I studied really hard.
C. My teacher gave clear instructions.
D. I got lucky.
Errors in Attribution
Mental shortcuts lead to mistakes.
Common errors Fundamental attribution error
When explaining other’s behavior, we overestimate the role of internal factors.
Self-serving bias Good things - internal attributions Bad things - external attributions
According to the fundamental attribution error, which of the following would most people attribute someone’s financial problems (eg., food stamps)?
A. The person is lazy.
B. The person got laid off.
C. The economy is poor.
D. The person has been mistreated by society.
According to the self-serving bias, if you don’t do well in this class, what will be the reason?
A. You didn’t study hard enough.
B. You were unmotivated.
C. Dr. Kelly is a bad teacher.
D. You didn’t read the book.
According to the self-serving bias, WHEN YOU do well in this class, what will be the reason?
A. You are smart.
B. The class was easy.
C. Dr. Kelly is a great teacher.
D. The class was fair.
Attribution Concepts
Attribution Errors Fundamental attribution error
When explaining other’s behavior, we overestimate the role of internal factors.
Self-serving bias Good things - internal attributions Bad things - external attributions
Next time…
Attitudes & Persuasion Social influences
Conformity Obedience
