Psychology of Adjustment PSY100

Social Thinking, Influence, and

Intergroup Relations

Objectives

• Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:– Define attribution and explain how the fundamental attribution

error and the self-serving bias affect our attributions– Describe the factors which influence our impressions of others– Define impression management and self-monitoring– List some basic characteristics of persuasive messages– Define conformity, obedience and compliance, and describe

well-known studies and findings about these concepts– List strategies for resisting persuasion, compliance and unjust

authority– Define and relate the following concepts: social identity, in-

group, out-group, ethnocentrism– Describe the reasons why people may develop prejudices– Discuss strategies for improving interethnic relations

Social Thinking

• Making Attributions– Attributions

• Why people behave the way they do

– Fundamental Attribution Error• Overestimate traits• Underestimate situation

– Self-Serving Bias• Exaggerate positive beliefs• Attribute failures to others

Social Thinking, continued

• Forming Impressions– Importance of a first impression– Stereotyping

• Generalizations about a group’s characteristics• Inaccurate perceptions

– Attitudes• Evaluations of people, objects, ideas

– Impression management• Self-presentation

– Self-monitoring

Social Thinking, continued

• Changing Attitudes– The Communicator

• Trustworthiness• Attractiveness• Likeability

– The Message• Emotional• Rational

– The Medium• Television thought to be most powerful

– The Target• Age• Attitude strength

Social Influence

• Conformity– Overview

• Change in behavior• Coincide with standard

– Factors that Contribute to Conformity• Normative social influence • Informational social influence

– Confidence– Group perception

• Unanimity of the group• Prior commitment• Personal characteristics• Cultural values

Social Influence, continued

• Obedience– Comply with explicit demands

• Compliance– Reciprocation

• Door-in-the-face strategy

– Commitment and consistency• Foot-in-the-door strategy

– Social proof• Bystander effect

– Liking– Authority– Scarcity

Intergroup Relations

• Groups and Their Functions– Group size– Satisfy personal needs– Reward us– Provide information– Raise self-esteem

• Group Identity– Types of Social Identity

• Ethnic and religious• Political• Vocations and avocations• Personal relationships• Stigmatized groups

– Social Identity Theory• Ethnocentrism

Intergroup Relations, continued

• Prejudice and Discrimination– Defining Prejudice

• Negative attitude toward a group

– Defining Discrimination• Negative action toward a group

– Sources of Prejudice• Personality• Competition between groups• Self-esteem• Cognitive processes• Cultural learning

– Modern Racism• Aversive

Intergroup Relations, continued

• Immigration– Growing ethnic minorities– Uncommon Stressors

• Language• Cultural struggle

– Improving Interethnic Relations• Task-oriented cooperation• Intimate contact

– Acknowledge Diversity• Put yourself in their shoes

Summary

• Making Attributions• Forming Impressions• Changing Attitudes• Conformity• Obedience• Compliance• Prejudice and Discrimination