Social Psychology The study of how we think about, influence and relate to one another.

Social Thinking How do we think about one another?

Social Psychology Today’s class: –How you think about people –How you explain their behavior –How attitudes and actions impact one another

Attribution Theory The idea that we give a casual explanation for someone's behavior. We credit that behavior either to the situation or…. To the person’s disposition. Was my friend a jerk because she had a bad day or is just a bad person?

Fundamental Attribution Error The tendency to underestimate the impact of a situation and overestimate the impact of personal disposition. How do you view your teacher’s behavior? You probably attribute it to their personality rather than their profession.

Attribution At Work

The Effects of Attribution Social Effects Political Effects Workplace Effects

Fundamental Attribution Error

Actor-observer bias: –Attributing others’ behavior to disposition but your own behavior to situational factors Self-serving bias: –Crediting your own successes to disposition, but attributing your own failures to the situaiton

Attitudes A belief or feeling that predisposes one to respond in a particular way to something. How might different attitudes respond to this picture?

Attitudes Mere Exposure Effect Central Route v. Peripheral Route

Do our attitudes guide our actions? Only if…. External pressure is minimal. We are aware of our attitudes. The attitude is relevant to the behavior.

Attitudes

More often, our actions affect our attitudes.

Compliance Strategies Foot-in-the-door phenomenon Door-in-the-face phenomenon Norms of reciprocity

Zimbardo Prison Study Role playing affects attitudes. What do you think happened when college students were made to take on the roles of prison guards and inmates?

What happens when we become aware that our attitudes don’t match or actions?

Cognitive Dissonance Theory People want to have consistent attitudes and behaviors….when they are not they experience dissonance (unpleasant tension). Usually they will change their attitude. You have a belief that cheating on tests is bad. But you cheat on a test!!! The teacher was really bad so in that class it is OK.