Social Psychology
Introduction to Psychology
Fall 2024
Social Psychology
Forming Impressions
§ First impressions are often based on:
§ Physical appearance.
§ Non-verbal expressiveness.
§ Prejudice refers to unjustifiable attitudes toward a group.
§ Includes beliefs, emotions, and predispositions toward actions.
§ Prejudice is a negative attitude, whereas discrimination is a
negative behavior.
§ Stereotypes are generalized beliefs about a group of people.
§ Stereotypes create biases in our perceptions.
§ An Illusory Correlation is a perceived but non-existent
correlation.
1
In-Group vs. Out-Group
§ Through our social identities, we associate ourselves with some
groups and contrast ourselves with others.
§ This group identification typically promotes an in-group bias, or
a favoring of one’s own group.
Attribution
Behaviors
Internal Dispositions External Situations
§ Fundamental Attribution Error: Overestimating the influence of
internal attributions and underestimating the influence of
situations.
Physical Attractiveness
§ Attractive people are…
§ Perceived as being healthier, happier, more sensitive, more
successful, and as having better social skills.
§ Not seen as more compassionate or honest.
§ More likely to enjoy occupational success.
§ Beauty is in the eye of the culture.
§ Attractiveness also depends on our feelings about the person.
§ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ro28nT9rg4
2
Similarity & Reciprocity
§ Similarity:
§ We tend to be attracted to those who are similar to us.
§ Friends and couples tend to share common attitudes, beliefs
and interests.
§ Similarity breeds content; dissimilarity often fosters disfavor.
§ Reciprocity:
§ We like people who show us they like us.
§ We tend to see others as liking us more if we like them.
Attitudes
§ Attitudes are feelings, often influenced by our beliefs, that
predispose our reactions to objects, people, and events.
Cognitive Affective Behavioral
Component Component Component
Attitudes Behavior
§ When our attitudes and actions do not coincide, we experience
cognitive dissonance.
CONFORMITY & OBEDIENCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDAbdMv14Is
3
Group Pressure & Conformity
Adjusting behavior or thinking toward some
group standard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sno1TpCLj6A
Obedience
Stanley Milgram Phil Zimbardo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_LKzEqlPto
