aggression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
frustration-aggression principle
the principle that frustration- the blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal- creates anger which can generate aggression
aggression-replacement program
lowered re-arrest rates of juveniles and gang members by teaching families communication skills, anger control, and encouraging moral reasoning
reciprocity norm
an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them
superordinate goals
shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation
social exchange theory
the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs
self-fulfilling prophecy
a belief that leads to its own fulfillment
passionate love
an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship
companionate love
the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined
mirror-image perceptions
mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive
altruism
unselfish regard for the welfare of others
Conflict
A struggle between opposing forces
social-responsibility norm
an expectation that people will help those dependent upon them
bystander effect
the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present
social psychology
the scientific study of how we think about, influence, and relate to one another
attribution theory
the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition
fundamental attribution error
the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
self-serving bias
the tendency to perceive oneself favorably
attitude
feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events
foot-in-the-door phenomenon
the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request
cognitive dissonance theory
the idea that we act to reduce the conflict (dissonance) between our thoughts and actions
peripheral route persuasion
occurs when people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a speaker's attractiveness
central route persuasion
occurs when interested people focus on the arguments and respond with favorable thoughts
halo effect
tendency of an interviewer to allow positive characteristics of a client to influence the assessments of the client's behavior and statements
automatic mimicry
Natural tendency to take on the emotional tones of those around us, we are natural mimics, unconsciously imitating others' expressions, postures, and voice tones.
conformity
Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
normative social influence
influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
informational social influence
influence resulting from one's willingness to accept others' opinions about reality
obedience
A form of compliance that occurs when people follow direct commands, usually from someone in a position of authority
group polarization
the enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group
groupthink
the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives
social facilitation
stronger responses on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others
social loafing
the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable
Prisoner's Dilemma
a particular "game" between two captured prisoners that illustrates why cooperation is difficult to maintain even when it is mutually beneficial
prejudice
A negative attitude toward an entire category of people, often an ethnic or racial minority.
ethnocentrism
Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.
stereotype
a generalized (sometimes accurate but often overgeneralized) belief about a group of people
subtle racism
Term used to describe a less blatant (more covert) form of racism, which some authors contend has replaced "old-fashioned" (overt) prejudice and discrimination. Typically refers to the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of individuals rather than institutions.
ingroup bias
the tendency to favor one's own group
outgroup
generally, any group that one does not belong to
other-race effect
the tendency to recall faces of one's own race more accurately than faces of other races
just-world phenomenon
the tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get
scapegoat theory
the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame