Social Psychology Unit 14 Fritz Heider The Psychology

Social Psychology Unit 14

§ Fritz Heider The Psychology of Interpersonal Relations (1958) § Attribution: How people interpret and explain casual relationships in the social world Attribution Theory § We have a desire to understand why things happen § By observing behaviors we try to make inferences about intentions and responsibility § Actor-observer effect: Making attributions about behavior depending on whether they are performing it themselves or observing someone else doing it

SITUATIONAL § We uses when discussing own NEGATIVE behavior § Blaming the situation (because humans usually don’t hold themselves accountable) § Analyzing the person’s action with regards to the situation he/she is in Answering that “WHY” Question § Ex: Late work/missing assignments= genuine issue such as a family/personal issue DISPOSITIONAL § We use this when observing someone else’s NEGATIVE behavior § Blaming the person (because as humans its usually easier to “point fingers”) § A person’s behavior is influenced by internal characteristics § Ex: Late work/missing assignments= Lazy & irresponsible and never finishes work on time

§ Agreeing to a small request leads to Foot-in-thedoor agreeing to a larger request § Can be used in both positive (charitable, donations, product sales) and negative/unethical situations

§ The presence of others influence our behaviors § Triplett found that when in a group, people Social facilitation are more likely to work harder (reeling a fishing rod) when other people are engaging in the same behavior § However, on harder tasks, sometimes the opposite is true…more people, less harder § Most likely response: when being observed (friendly and familiar), well –learned tasks more quickly, unmastered tasks less quickly and accurately

§ People in a group feel less Social Loafing accountable and thus worry less about what others think § Contributions are dispensable § “Free Riders” in group work….

DEINDIVIDUATION THEORY § When individuals join crowds or large groups, the psychological state of deindividuation is aroused. § This is due to the diminished awareness of self and individuality. § Large groups allows an individual to avoid responsibility Deindividuation for his/her actions because a degree of anonymity is provided…thus one becomes more impulsive, irrational, aggressive, and violent. § Example: § Football (soccer) hooliganism

Prejudice vs. Discrimination § Prejudice: an unjustifiable (and usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members. Ex: “White people are evil. ” Prejudice vs. discrimination § Discrimination: involves treating a group differently because of their class or other category. Ex: Blacks could not eat at certain restaurants and stay at certain hotels because of their race prior to Civil Rights Movement. § Prejudice is a THOUGHT…discrimination is a BEHAVIOR.

Us vs. Them § Ingroup: “Us”---people who one shares a common identity. We are North Meck Vikings. Ingroup vs. Outgroup § Outgroup: “Them”---those perceived as different or apart of one’s ingroup. They are Hopewell Titans. § Ingroup bias: the tendency to favor one’s own group. Ex: Might not like certain people just because they go to Hopewell OR band people may not like jocks and vice versa.

What impacts Attraction? § Proximity: Geographic nearness § Greater availability to meet, familiarity Proximity § MERE EXPOSURE EFFECT: The phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increase liking of them. § Studies have shown that we are more attracted to things/people that we have seen more than once.

§ Physical attractiveness: APPEARANCE plays a major role…unfortunately as humans we are superficial! § Predicts frequency of dating, feelings of popularity, and Physical Attractiveness initial impressions of their personality. § Attractive people are PERCIEVED to be healthier, happier, more sensitive, more successful, and more socially skilled, however not more honest or compassionate. (Eagly et al. , 1991)

§ Similarity: Humans tend to have healthier relationships with those that are similar (have similar interests, personalities, etc. ) Similarity § Friends and couples are far more likely to share common attitudes, beliefs and interests § In “real life” opposites retract NOT attract.

§ Both sexes: Universal traits of attraction Buss (1989) § Health § Youth § Reproductive capacity § Specific traits: § Smooth skin § Good muscle tone § Lustrous hair § Full lips § Applicable to all humans and aren’t culturally specific

§ https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=169 N 81 x. Aff. Q Additional Resources § 5 senses involved in attraction § https: //www. discovery. com/playlists/scie nce-of-sex-appeal-videos § Science of sex attractions videos

PASSIONATE LOVE § 1. Emotions have two factors: Physical arousal plus cognitive appraisal § 2. Arousal from any source can enhance one emotion or another depending how we interrupt & label the arousal Romantic Love § Produces children COMPANIONATE LOVE § Maturing of love, a deep affectionate attachment § Allows children to be raised and cared for, for a long duration § Cultures that value this, have lower divorce rates

Triangular Theory of Love (Robert Sternberg, 1988)

Communication is the key! § Social penetration theory: Close relationships are formed by a gradual process of self-disclosure. § Closeness will develop as the couple proceed from superficial conversations to intimate levels; this is associated with attraction. Communication § Leads to self-disclosure: Sharing facts about one’s life with a loved one including inner thoughts, feelings and emotions. § “I don’t know if I am qualified enough to get the new position I applied for. ”

§ Disclosing information about yourself makes both strangers and friends like you more and leads to selfvalidation (the feeling of being truly known and ACCEPTED by the listener. ) Collins & Miller (1994) § 1. ) People who disclose more intimate information about themselves are more liked than those that do not. § 2. ) People tend to disclose more personal information to those they like. § 3. ) As people disclose more information to a person, they like that person more (attraction grows) § Disclosure is crucial for establishing and maintaining relationships!

§ Latane’ & Darley(1968) began research after Bystander effectmurder (1964) to understand the Kitty Genovese why some people do not help others…thus bystanderism was coined (The presence of others seems to determine whether or not others will intervene. ) Bystander Effect § 3 factors cause individuals to either help or not: § 1. ) Diffusion of Responsibility (“someone else will help”) § 2. ) Pluralistic Ignorance (what is everyone else doing? ) § 3. ) Evaluation apprehension § Individual bystanders are aware that other people are present and may be afraid of being evaluated negatively if they react (fear of messing up/social blunders)

§ Human relationships are based on a subjective cost-benefit analysis § When benefits (financial reward, esteem, Social Exchange Theory affection, avoidance of failure) outweigh the potential costs (humiliation, pain, financial loss) we are more likely to help