Introduction to Social Psychology 1st year undergraduate psychology lecture 2008 James Neill

1st year undergraduate psychology lecture

2008

James Neill

Overview Part 1 : About Social Psychology Part 2 : Cognition, Influence, & Relationships

Part 1 : About Social Psychology

Part 2 : Cognition, Influence, & Relationships

Part 1: About Social Psychology Activity: Topic Matching Definition(s) Scope Foci Topics Video (27 mins)

Activity: Topic Matching

Definition(s)

Scope

Foci

Topics

Video (27 mins)

Topic Matching Activity Activity : In pairs, discuss and agree on a topic match for each of the sets of displayed images. Discussion : Go through the image sets and ask for suggestions – lecturer accepts and highlights some key terms for each image.

Activity : In pairs, discuss and agree on a topic match for each of the sets of displayed images.

Discussion : Go through the image sets and ask for suggestions – lecturer accepts and highlights some key terms for each image.

Allocate one of these topics to each of the following sets of slides... Prejudice Aggression Group Dynamics Crowd Behaviour Social Exclusion Environmental Relationships Prosocial Behaviour Conformity Leadership

Prejudice

Aggression

Group Dynamics

Crowd Behaviour

Social Exclusion

Environmental

Relationships

Prosocial Behaviour

Conformity

Leadership

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

What is Social Psychology? Influence of social processes on the way people: Think (thoughts; cognition) Feel (feelings; emotions) Behave (behaviour; actions)

Influence of social processes on the way people:

Think (thoughts; cognition)

Feel (feelings; emotions)

Behave (behaviour; actions)

Three Themes Social Thinking - how we think about others e.g., Attributions Social Influence - how we are influenced by others, e.g., Conformity Social Relations - how we interact with others, e.g., Relationships

Social Thinking - how we think about others e.g., Attributions

Social Influence - how we are influenced by others, e.g., Conformity

Social Relations - how we interact with others, e.g., Relationships

Domains / Units of Analysis

Scope

Why is Social Psychology Important?

Focus 1: Relationships

Focus 2: Social Influence

Focus 3: Leadership

Focus 4: Intergroup Relations

Video: The Power of the Situation Annenberg (1989). The Power of the Situation (Program 19) . [27 min video] Annenberg: Santa Barbara, CA.

Annenberg (1989). The Power of the Situation (Program 19) . [27 min video] Annenberg: Santa Barbara, CA.

Part 2: Cognition, Influence, Relationships Social Cognition Attribution Attitudes  Behaviour Cognitive Dissonance Social Influence Conformity Obedience Group Influence Social Relationships Group polarisation Aggression Conflict & Cooperation Prosocial Behaviour

Social Cognition

Attribution

Attitudes  Behaviour

Cognitive Dissonance

Social Influence

Conformity

Obedience

Group Influence

Social Relationships

Group polarisation

Aggression

Conflict & Cooperation

Prosocial Behaviour

Social Thinking Attribution Attitudes  Behaviour Cognitive Dissonance

Attribution

Attitudes  Behaviour

Cognitive Dissonance

Social Thinking Questions How do we explain people’s behaviour? How do we form our beliefs and attitudes? How does what we think affect what we do? How can attitudes be influenced and behaviour changed?

How do we explain people’s behaviour?

How do we form our beliefs and attitudes?

How does what we think affect what we do?

How can attitudes be influenced and behaviour changed?

Attributions We are all ‘intuitive scientists’ or 'naive psychologists'. Process of inferring the causes of mental states, behaviours, and events which occur to ourselves & others (Heider, 1958) External attributions Behavior is due to the situation, ‘The boss yelled at me ... because this is April 15th and his taxes are not done.’ Internal attributions Behavior reflects the person, ‘The boss yells at everyone ... because he is a hostile person.’

We are all ‘intuitive scientists’ or 'naive psychologists'.

Process of inferring the causes of mental states, behaviours, and events which occur to ourselves & others (Heider, 1958)

External attributions Behavior is due to the situation, ‘The boss yelled at me ... because this is April 15th and his taxes are not done.’

Internal attributions Behavior reflects the person, ‘The boss yells at everyone ... because he is a hostile person.’

Attributional Biases Fundamental Attribution Error (or Correspondence Bias) Overestimate internal factors (i.e., blame people) more than external factors (i.e., circumstances) Actor-Observer Bias More aware of external influences on our own behaviour

Fundamental Attribution Error (or Correspondence Bias)

Overestimate internal factors (i.e., blame people) more than external factors (i.e., circumstances)

Actor-Observer Bias

More aware of external influences on our own behaviour

Attributions Observed Behaviour Internal (Dispositional) Explanation External (Situational) Explanation

Attitudes Valenced (+/-) beliefs & feelings towards people, objects, & events, e.g., George W. Bush? Guns? Recreational drug use? Do attitudes  behaviour ?

Valenced (+/-) beliefs & feelings towards people, objects, & events, e.g.,

George W. Bush?

Guns?

Recreational drug use?

Do attitudes  behaviour ?

Attitudes & Behaviour Behaviour Attitudes Situation

When do Attitudes Predict Behaviour? Attitudes are implicit (unconscious). Situational demands are low. Attitudes are strong & based on personal experience. Attitudes are specific & relevant to behaviour. Conscious/aware of attitudes. Environmental reinforcement matches attitude. Important others share the same attitude.

Attitudes are implicit (unconscious).

Situational demands are low.

Attitudes are strong & based on personal experience.

Attitudes are specific & relevant to behaviour.

Conscious/aware of attitudes.

Environmental reinforcement matches attitude.

Important others share the same attitude.

Behaviour also influences Attitude Behaviour Attitudes Situation

e.g., Foot-in-the-door Role playing “ What we do, we gradually become.” Behaviour also influences attitude

e.g.,

Foot-in-the-door

Role playing

“ What we do, we gradually become.”

Foot-in-the-door Technique IV: 1 st request: “Sign a petition supporting safe driving?” vs. no request ~ 2 weeks later… DV: “Can we place this large, ugly ‘Drive Safely’ sign in your front yard?” Those who had signed the petition were 3 x more likely to agree to the 2nd request. - Freedman & Fraser (1966)

Foot-in-the-door Technique Foot-in-the-door technique as used by Scientology Time Magazine, 1991

(Action  Belief)   Distress Distress   (Action or Belief) (Action = Belief)   Distress Cognitive Dissonance (Festinger)

(Action  Belief)   Distress

Distress   (Action or Belief)

(Action = Belief)   Distress

I don't believe in sex before marriage (attitude), but I just had sex before marriage (behaviour). I believe that speeding increases the risk of car accidents (attitude) yet speed on a daily basis (behaviour). Cognitive Dissonance

I don't believe in sex before marriage (attitude), but I just had sex before marriage (behaviour).

I believe that speeding increases the risk of car accidents (attitude) yet speed on a daily basis (behaviour).

Cognitive Dissonance Model Two inconsistent cognitions (e.g., an attitude and a counter- attitudinal behaviour) State of dissonance Motivation to reduce dissonance Attitude change UNLESS No dissonance No attitude change Change or justify counter- attitudinal behaviour

Social Influence Conformity Obediance Group influence

Conformity

Obediance

Group influence

Social Influence Questions How we influence each other? How are we affected by pressures to conform and obey? How are we affected by group interaction? How do groups affect our behavior?

How we influence each other?

How are we affected by pressures to conform and obey?

How are we affected by group interaction?

How do groups affect our behavior?

Social Influence The greatest contribution of social psychology is its study of attitudes, beliefs, decisions, and actions and the way they are moulded by social influence .

The greatest contribution of social psychology is its study of attitudes, beliefs, decisions, and actions and the way they are moulded by social influence .

Conformity Willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality. Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality.

Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Conformity Solomon Asch studies.

Solomon Asch studies.

Asch’s Conformity Studies (1950’s) Subjects were asked to judge line lengths while working in a group 7 subjects; the 6th was real, rest were confederates. Confederates consistently gave obviously wrong answers The subject often conformed and gave the same wrong answer On average, 37% of participants conformed. Some never caved.

Subjects were asked to judge line lengths while working in a group

7 subjects; the 6th was real, rest were confederates.

Confederates consistently gave obviously wrong answers

The subject often conformed and gave the same wrong answer

On average, 37% of participants conformed.

Some never caved.

Conditions That  Conformity Feelings of incompetence, insecurity, low self-esteem. Group size 3+. Group is unanimous (lack of dissension). Group status desirable & attractiveness. Group observes one’s behavior. No prior commitment to response. Culture strongly encourages respect for social standard.

Feelings of incompetence, insecurity, low self-esteem.

Group size 3+.

Group is unanimous (lack of dissension).

Group status desirable & attractiveness.

Group observes one’s behavior.

No prior commitment to response.

Culture strongly encourages respect for social standard.

Reasons for Conformity Normative Social Influence A person’s desire to gain approval or avoid rejection. Respecting normative behavior, because price may be severe if not followed. Informational Social Influence Group may provide valuable information. When the task is difficult or you are unsure, it makes sense to listen to others.

Normative Social Influence

A person’s desire to gain approval or avoid rejection.

Respecting normative behavior, because price may be severe if not followed.

Informational Social Influence

Group may provide valuable information.

When the task is difficult or you are unsure, it makes sense to listen to others.

Obedience People comply to social pressures. But how would they respond to outright command? Milgram designed a study that investigated the effects of authority on obedience. Stanley Milgram (1933-1984)

People comply to social pressures. But how would they respond to outright command?

Milgram designed a study that investigated the effects of authority on obedience.

Milgram’s Study

Milgram’s Studies 63% complied with administration of shocks Degree of obediance influenced by: Physical proximity of authority figure Status of authority figure Depersonalisation of victim Lack of defiant role models

63% complied with administration of shocks

Degree of obediance influenced by:

Physical proximity of authority figure

Status of authority figure

Depersonalisation of victim

Lack of defiant role models

Milgram’s Study Depending on subtle changes in conditions, compliance varied b/w 0 & 93%

Zimbardo’s Prison Study (1970’s) Subjects played either prisoners or guards. Prisoners were arrested, fingerprinted, dressed, and referred to by number. Guards were dressed and given control over prisoners. Subjects became their roles in action, thought and feeling.

Subjects played either prisoners or guards.

Prisoners were arrested, fingerprinted, dressed, and referred to by number.

Guards were dressed and given control over prisoners.

Subjects became their roles in action, thought and feeling.

Resistance ~  a third of individuals resisted social coercion (Milgram). One dissenter can have a disproportionate effect on reducing the compliance of others. (e.g., Asch)

~  a third of individuals resisted social coercion (Milgram).

One dissenter can have a disproportionate effect on reducing the compliance of others. (e.g., Asch)

Group Influence Social facilitation Social loafing Deindividuation Group polarisation Groupthink

Social facilitation

Social loafing

Deindividuation

Group polarisation

Groupthink

Social Relationships Prejudice Antisocial Aggression Conflict Prosocial Behaviour

Prejudice

Antisocial

Aggression

Conflict

Prosocial Behaviour

Social Relationships Questions What causes us to harm, help, or to fall in love? How can we transform aggression into compassion?

What causes us to harm, help, or to fall in love?

How can we transform aggression into compassion?

Social Relations Social psychology teaches us how we relate to one another from: Prejudice, aggression, and conflict to Attraction, altruism, and peacemaking.

Social psychology teaches us how we relate to one another from:

Prejudice, aggression, and conflict to

Attraction, altruism, and peacemaking.

Prejudice “ Prejudgement”: Unjustifiable (usually -ve) attitude toward a group and its members – often towards a different cultural, ethnic or gender group. Works at the conscious and [more so] the unconscious level. More like a knee-jerk response than a conscious decision.

“ Prejudgement”: Unjustifiable (usually -ve) attitude toward a group and its members – often towards a different cultural, ethnic or gender group.

Works at the conscious and [more so] the unconscious level.

More like a knee-jerk response than a conscious decision.

Prejudice Components Beliefs (stereotypes) Emotions (hostility, envy, fear) Predisposition to act (to discriminate)

Beliefs (stereotypes)

Emotions (hostility, envy, fear)

Predisposition to act (to discriminate)

Prejudice Roots Social inequalities – haves vs. have-nots Social divisions – in- vs. out-groups (in-group bias) Emotional scapegoating – blaming, emotional outlet (+FAE)

Social inequalities – haves vs. have-nots

Social divisions – in- vs. out-groups (in-group bias)

Emotional scapegoating – blaming, emotional outlet (+FAE)

We are “cognitive misers”, so we use categorisation to simplify and organise our perceptual worlds.  Stereotypes Generalised (often exaggerated) beliefs about a group of people.  Potential for prejudice  Potential for aggression/conflict Categorisation

We are “cognitive misers”, so we use categorisation to simplify and organise our perceptual worlds.

 Stereotypes Generalised (often exaggerated) beliefs about a group of people.

 Potential for prejudice

 Potential for aggression/conflict

Physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt or destroy. Emerges from the interaction of: Biology Genetic Neural Biochemical Experience Aversive events e.g., misery, temp, frustrate Operant conditioning Social learning Scripts Aggression

Physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt or destroy.

Emerges from the interaction of:

Biology

Genetic

Neural

Biochemical

Experience

Aversive events e.g., misery, temp, frustrate

Operant conditioning

Social learning

Scripts

Aggression

Perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas. Conflicting parties, each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior  “ Social Trap ”: Win-Lose Lose-Win, or Lose-lose. Game Theory

Perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.

Conflicting parties, each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become caught in mutually destructive behavior  “ Social Trap ”:

Win-Lose

Lose-Win, or

Lose-lose.

Game Theory

Game Theory

Game Theory

Proximity (mere exposure effect) Attractiveness Similarity Cost-benefits Attraction

Proximity (mere exposure effect)

Attractiveness

Similarity

Cost-benefits

Passionate Aroused state of absorption (arousal + cognition) Companionate Deep affection & caring Love

Passionate Aroused state of absorption (arousal + cognition)

Companionate Deep affection & caring

Unselfish, intentional behavior that is intended to benefit welfare of others. Behaviours which have no obvious gain for the provider Behaviours which have obvious costs for the provider (e.g. time, resources) Is there really altruism? Altruism is often for self-benefit e.g., power, status, reward, psychological gain. What matters in judging the act is the actor's intended outcomes. Altruism

Unselfish, intentional behavior that is intended to benefit welfare of others.

Behaviours which have no obvious gain for the provider

Behaviours which have obvious costs for the provider (e.g. time, resources)

Is there really altruism?

Altruism is often for self-benefit e.g., power, status, reward, psychological gain.

What matters in judging the act is the actor's intended outcomes.

Equity / Reciprocity Give to relationships in proportion to what we receive (Social Exchange Theory) Social responsibility norm Reciprocal altruism Natural selection favors animals that are altruistic if the benefit to each is greater than the cost of altruism Altruism

Equity / Reciprocity

Give to relationships in proportion to what we receive (Social Exchange Theory)

Social responsibility norm

Reciprocal altruism

Natural selection favors animals that are altruistic if the benefit to each is greater than the cost of altruism

Diminished sense of personal responsibility to act because others are seen as equally responsible. Bystanders are less likely to help in presence of more people (e.g. part of a large crowd) 75% help when alone vs. 53% in presence of others "Diffusion of responsibility" Bystander Effect

Diminished sense of personal responsibility to act because others are seen as equally responsible.

Bystanders are less likely to help in presence of more people (e.g. part of a large crowd)

75% help when alone vs. 53% in presence of others

"Diffusion of responsibility"

Superordinate goals Communication Graduated & Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction (GRIT) Peacemaking

Superordinate goals

Communication

Graduated & Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction (GRIT)

Lecture Web Pages http://ucspace.canberra.edu.au/display/Psy102/Social+Psychology http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_social_psychology/Lecture Reading Myers (2007) Ch 18 Social Psychology

http://ucspace.canberra.edu.au/display/Psy102/Social+Psychology

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_social_psychology/Lecture

Reading

Myers (2007) Ch 18 Social Psychology

References Myers, D. G. (2001). Social Psychology (Ch. 18). In D. G. Myers (2001). Psychology (6th ed.) (pp. 643-688). New York: Worth. Myers, D. G. (2007). Social Psychology (Ch. 18). In D. G. Myers (2007). Psychology (8th ed.) (pp. 723-771). New York: Worth.

Myers, D. G. (2001). Social Psychology (Ch. 18). In D. G. Myers (2001). Psychology (6th ed.) (pp. 643-688). New York: Worth.

Myers, D. G. (2007). Social Psychology (Ch. 18). In D. G. Myers (2007). Psychology (8th ed.) (pp. 723-771). New York: Worth.