4.3 Vocab: Psychology of Social Situations

Group Polarization

• When group discussions lead individuals to adopt more extreme positions.

• A phenomenon where group members become more agreeable after discussions.

• The tendency for groups to make decisions that are more cautious than individuals would.

• A process where individuals become less extreme in their views after group discussions.

Median

• The average of a data set.

• The value that appears most frequently in a data set.

• The middle value in a data set.

• The range of values in a data set.

Conformity

• Adjusting behavior or thinking to match a group.

• A psychological condition characterized by extreme anxiety.

• The process of learning through observation and imitation.

• A method of decision-making that involves group consensus.

Altruism

• Selfless concern for the well-being of others.

• A desire for personal gain at the expense of others.

• Indifference to the suffering of others.

• A form of selfishness disguised as kindness.

Social Roles

• Expected behaviors associated with a particular position in society.

• Random actions taken by individuals in a group.

• Personal preferences that define individual identity.

• Cultural norms that dictate social interactions.

Normative Social Influence

• Conforming to a group to be liked or accepted.

• Making decisions based on personal beliefs.

• Ignoring group pressure to maintain individuality.

• Following rules without question.

Obedience

• Following direct orders from an authority figure.

• Making independent decisions without influence.

• Questioning authority before taking action.

• Ignoring instructions from superiors.

Door-in-the-Face Technique

• Making a small request that is likely to be accepted, followed by a larger request.

• Making a large request that is likely to be rejected, followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

• Making a request that is neither too large nor too small, ensuring acceptance.

• Making multiple requests simultaneously to increase the chances of acceptance.

Groupthink

• A phenomenon where group harmony leads to poor decision-making.

• A strategy for effective teamwork and collaboration.

• A method for enhancing individual creativity in groups.

• A technique for resolving conflicts within a team.

Peripheral Route Persuasion

• Persuasion based on logical reasoning and facts.

• Persuasion based on superficial cues, like attractiveness or emotions.

• Persuasion that requires deep cognitive processing.

• Persuasion that focuses on the credibility of the source.