Class Notes Psy.

2210

Chapter 1
Introduction to Social
Psychology
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
◆ THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE WAY
IN WHICH PEOPLE’S THOUGHTS,
FEELINGS, AND BEHAVIORS ARE
INFLUENCED BY THE ACTUAL,
IMAGINED, OR IMPLIED PRESENCE
OF OTHERS.
INFLUENCE CAN BE:
◆ IMPORTANT OR TRIVIAL
◆ OBVIOUS OR SUBTLE
◆ TEMPORARY OR LONG-LASTING
 IMPORTANT OR TRIVIAL
◆ TRIVIAL ◆ IMPORTANT

◆ NOT WALKING ◆ MILGRAM STUDY

BETWEEN PEOPLE ◆ JONESTOWN
◆ SEATING PATTERNS
 OBVIOUS OR SUBTLE
◆ OBVIOUS ◆ SUBTLE

◆ MILGRAM ◆ SOCIAL
◆ DEVIATE STUDY FACILITATION
◆ SELF-FULFILLING
PROPHECY
 TEMPORARY OR LONG-LASTING
◆ TEMPORARY ◆ LONG-LASTING

◆ SEATING PATTERN ◆ FOOD

◆ SOCIAL PREFERENCES
FACILITATION ◆ PHYSICAL
ATTRACTIVENESS
◆ LOVE-BASED
MARRIAGES
 GENERAL THEMES
◆ Importance of the Situation
◆ Social Roles
◆ Outcomes
◆ Social Learning
◆ Social Cognition
◆ Self-Esteem
 B = f (P, E)
6

5
Aggression

4
Girls
3

2 Boys

0
Nonviolent Violent
 ROLE THEORY
◆ EXPLAINS BEHAVIOR IN TERMS OF
SITUATIONAL DEMANDS.
◆ BEHAVIOR VARIES ACROSS
CONTEXTS
◆ EMPHASIZES ROLES AND NORMS
◆ MEL GIBSON-- HAMLET VS LETHAL WEAPON
◆ WHOPPI GOLDBERG--GHOST VS COLOR
PURPLE
◆ TOM HANKS--FOREST GUMP VS APOLLO 13
◆ JODIE FOSTER--SILENCE OF LAMBS VS NELL
◆ WOODY HARRELSON--CHEERS VS
 OUTCOMES
◆ SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY
◆ REWARDS (MATERIAL & SOCIAL)
◆ COSTS
◆ OUTCOME LEVEL = (R - C)
◆ COMPARISON LEVEL
◆ OL > CL, SATISFIED
◆ OL < CL, DISSAT.
◆ CL OF ALTERNATIVES

◆ OL > CLALT , STAY

◆ OL < CL ALT , GO
 SOCIAL LEARNING
◆ OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING

◆ ROLE MODELS
 SOCIAL COGNITION
◆ EMPHASIZES PERCEPTIONS,
THOUGHTS, UNDERSTANDINGS,
PERCEPTIONS (TUMBLEWEED,
COMPLIMENT, TEASING)
◆ SCHEMA BASED ON PAST
EXPERIENCE, WE DEVELOP MENTAL
CATEGORY SYSTEMS AND USE
THESE CATEGORIES TO INTERPRET
AND ORGANIZE NEW EXPERIENCES
(CITY, PARTY, SNEAK, CHURCH)
 SELF-ESTEEM
◆ We try to maintain a positive view of
ourselves.
◆ This may lead to self-serving explanations
(credit for success,but excuses for failure)
and rationalizations ( justification of our
decisions or behavior) ex. buy stereo, treat
someone badly.
 DIFFERENT THEMES PROVIDE
DIFFERING (COMPLEMENTARY)
PERSPECTIVES