Final OVERVIEW Review

PSY 321

Major Lessons & Practical Issues of Social Psychology

(not to be covered on exam)

Major Lessons of Social Psychology

1.) Situations exert a much more powerful influence on behavior than we realize.

Examples of the Power of the Situation, and our

Failure to Recognize It

• Persuasion in Advertising• Obedience to Authority• Bystander Nonintervention• Social Facilitation• Stereotype Threat• Proximity & Attraction• The Fundamental Attribution Error• Self-fulfilling Prophecies

Major Lessons of Social Psychology

1.) Situations exert a much more powerful influence on behavior than we realize.

2.) People see themselves (and everything associated with the self) in a very positive light.

Phenomena That Demonstrate Self-Enhancement

• Self-enhancement

• Ingroup favoritism

• Name-letter effect

• Similarity & attraction

Major Lessons of Social Psychology

1.) Situations exert a much more powerful influence on behavior than we realize.

2.) People see themselves (and everything associated with self) in a very positive light.

3.) Thought tends to be more rationalizing than rational.

Things that People Rationalize

• Their own behavior– Cognitive dissonance– Actor-observer bias

• The status quo– Just world beliefs

• Status advantages– Social dominance orientation

• Group differences– Stereotyping

Some Practical Lessons from Social Psychology

(not to be covered on exam)

6: “There’s a sucker bornevery minute”

• Don’t underestimate the effects that everyday advertising can have on you

5: Violence begets Violence

• Limit the amount of exposure your children have to violent media, including video games, movies, and TV.– Social learning theory– Research on effects of violence in media and video

games on aggression

Before violent movie

After violent movie

4: Interact with Outgroups

• When you interact with people outside of your group– Recognize they may have similar thoughts and

feelings as your thoughts and feelings– Stereotypes can be automatic – Shared goals decrease prejudice– Contact decreases prejudice

3: If someone needs help, find help!

• Don’t let these things get in the way of getting help in an emergency:– Diffusion of responsibility

– Fear of embarrassment

– Time pressure

– Bad mood

– Good mood

• It’s better to err on the safe sideKitty Genovese

2: People who do crazy/dumb/rude things aren’t necessarily crazy/dumb/rude

– The fundamental attribution error

– Bottom Line: When evaluating and responding to others, consider the power of the situation

1: Question Authority!!!

Thanks for a great first semester.

Good luck on the test!