attribution theory
suggests how we explain someone's behavior-by crediting either the situation or the person's disposition
fundamental attribution error
the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition.
attitude
feelings, often based on our beliefs, that predispose us to respond in a particular way to objects, people, and events.
foot-in-the-door phenomenon
the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later with a larger request
cognitive dissonance theory
the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent.
conformity
adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
normative social influence
influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.
informational social influence
influence resulting from one's willingness to accept others' opinions about reality.
social facilitation
stronger responses on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others
social loafing
the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.
deindividuation
the loss of self-awareness and self-restaint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.
group polarization
the enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion within a group.
groupthink
the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.
prejudice
an unjustifiable attitude toward a group and its members.
stereotype
a generalized belief about a group of people.
discrimination
unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group or its members.
ingroup
us"- people with whom one shares a common identity.
outgroup
them" those perceived as different or apart from one's ingroup.
ingroup bias
the tendency to favor one's own group
scapegoat theory
the theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.