What is social psychology? The scientific study of the ways in which the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of an individual are influenced by the real or imagined behavior of others.

Social Cognition impression formationimpression formation attributionattribution interpersonal attractioninterpersonal attraction

Impression Formation schemataschemata primacy effectprimacy effect self-fulfilling propheciesself-fulfilling prophecies stereotypesstereotypes

Schemata The use of schemata speeds information processing.The use of schemata speeds information processing. Schematic processing aids in encoding and recall of personal information.Schematic processing aids in encoding and recall of personal information.

Primacy Effect The theory that early information about someone weighs more heavily than later information in influencing one’s impression of that person.The theory that early information about someone weighs more heavily than later information in influencing one’s impression of that person.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies The process in which a person’s expectation about another elicits behavior from the second person that confirms the expectation.The process in which a person’s expectation about another elicits behavior from the second person that confirms the expectation.

Stereotypes A special type of schema about members of a social category.A special type of schema about members of a social category. Stereotypes may contribute to self-fulfilling prophecies.Stereotypes may contribute to self-fulfilling prophecies.

Attribution Theory The theory that addresses the question of how people make judgments about the causes of behavior.The theory that addresses the question of how people make judgments about the causes of behavior. Behavior is typically explained as being the result of either internal or external factors.Behavior is typically explained as being the result of either internal or external factors.

3 Types of Information Used to Determine Causality distinctiveness: uniqueness of circumstancesdistinctiveness: uniqueness of circumstances consistency: degree to which behavior is typical of the individual in similar circumstancesconsistency: degree to which behavior is typical of the individual in similar circumstances consensus: degree to which behavior in this circumstance is typical of most peopleconsensus: degree to which behavior in this circumstance is typical of most people

Biases in Attributions fundamental attribution errorfundamental attribution error defensive attributiondefensive attribution just-world hypothesisjust-world hypothesis

Fundamental Attribution Error The tendency of people to overemphasize personal causes for other people’s behavior and to underemphasize personal causes for their own behavior.The tendency of people to overemphasize personal causes for other people’s behavior and to underemphasize personal causes for their own behavior.

Defensive attribution Sometimes referred to as the self-serving bias.Sometimes referred to as the self-serving bias. Our successes are attributed to internal factors,Our successes are attributed to internal factors, whereas our failures are attributed to external factors.whereas our failures are attributed to external factors.

Just World Hypothesis An attribution error based on the assumption that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people.An attribution error based on the assumption that bad things happen to bad people and good things happen to good people.

Factors Involved in Interpersonal Attraction proximity: How close two people live to each other.proximity: How close two people live to each other. physical attractiveness: We tend to ascribe a host of positive qualities to physically attractive individuals.physical attractiveness: We tend to ascribe a host of positive qualities to physically attractive individuals.

Factors Involved in Interpersonal Attraction similarity: We tend to be attracted to people who share our attitudes, interests, values, and beliefs.similarity: We tend to be attracted to people who share our attitudes, interests, values, and beliefs. exchange: We are attracted to those individuals with whom we exchange rewards.exchange: We are attracted to those individuals with whom we exchange rewards.

Exchange equity: We prefer to have equitable (equal give and take) relationships.equity: We prefer to have equitable (equal give and take) relationships. gain-loss theory: We prefer increases in positive evaluation by others to steady positive evaluation.gain-loss theory: We prefer increases in positive evaluation by others to steady positive evaluation.

Factors Involved in Interpersonal Attraction intimacy: The quality of genuine closeness and trust achieved in communication with another person.intimacy: The quality of genuine closeness and trust achieved in communication with another person. self-disclosure: The revealing of personal experiences and opinions.self-disclosure: The revealing of personal experiences and opinions.