Social psychology
The branch of psychology that studies the effects of social variables and cognitions on individual behavior and social interactions.
Social context
The combination of people, the activities and interactions among people, the setting in which behavior occurs, and the expectations and social norms governing behavior in that setting.
Situationism
The view that environmental conditions influence people's behavior as much as or more than their personal dispositions do.
Social role
One of several socially defined patterns of behavior that are expected of persons in a given setting or group.
Social norm
A group's expectations regrading what is appropriate and acceptable for its members' attitudes and behaviors.
Asch effect
A form of conformity in which a group majority influences individual judgements.
Conformity
The tendency for people to adopt behaviors, attitudes, and opinions of other members of a group.
Diffusion of responsibility
Dilution or weakening of each group member's obligation to act when responsibility is perceived to be shared with all group members.
Social reality
An individual's subjective interpretation of other people and of relationships with them.
Reward theory of attraction
A social-learning view that says we like best those who give us maximum rewards at minimum cost.
Matching hypothesis
The prediction that most people will find friends and mates that are perceived to be of about their same level of attractiveness.
Expectancy-value theory
A theory in social psychology that people decide whether to pursue a relationship by weighing the potential value of the relationship against their expectation of success in establishing the relationship.
Cognitive dissonance
A highly motivating state in which people have conflicting cognitions, especially when their voluntary actions conflict with their attitudes.
Fundamental attribution error (FAE)
The tendency to emphasize internal causes and ignore external pressures; more common in individualistic cultures than in collectivistic cultures.
Self-serving bias
An attributional pattern in which one takes credit for success but denies responsibility for failure.
Prejudice
A negative attitude toward an individual based solely on his or her membership in a particular group.
Discrimination
A negative action taken against an individual based solely on his or her membership in a particular group.
In-group
The group with which an individual identifies.
Social distance
The perceived difference or similarity between oneself and another person.
Out-group
Those outside the group with which an individual identifies.
Scapegoating
Blaming an innocent person or a group for one's own troubles.
Social facilitation
An increase in an individual's performance because of being in a group.
Social loafing
A decrease in performance because of being in a group.
Deindividuation
Occurs when group members lose their sense of personal identity and responsibility and the group "assumes" responsibility for their behavior.
Group polarization
When individuals in a group have similar, though not identical, views, their opinions become more extreme.
Groupthink
An excessive tendency to seek concurrence among group members.
Romantic love
A temporary and highly emotional condition based on infatuation and sexual desire.
Triangular theory of love
A theory that describes various kinds of love in terms of three components: passion (erotic attraction), intimacy (sharing feelings and confidences), and commitment (dedication to putting this relationship first in one's life).
Violence and aggression
Terms that refer to behavior that is intended to cause home.
Cohesiveness
Solidarity, loyalty, and a sense of group membership.
Mutual interdependence
A shared sense that individuals or groups need each other in order to achieve a common goal.
Terrorism
The use of violent, unpredictable acts by a small group against a larger group for political, economic, or religious goals.