Attribution Theory & Person Perception
After getting a promotion, Maria believes it is due to her hard work and intelligence (attribution).
What is a dispositional attribution?
A person who strongly values environmental sustainability continues to frequently purchase single-use plastic products for convenience. Over time, instead of changing their behavior, they begin to argue that “individual actions don’t really impact the environment” and that “companies are the real problem anyway.”
What is cognitive dissonance?
During an emergency, multiple bystanders fail to help because each assumes someone else will act.
What is diffusion of responsibility/the bystander effect?
A therapist emphasizes unconditional positive regard and encourages a client to accept themselves fully to foster growth.
What is the humanistic theory of personality?
A student studies hardest when moderately stressed but performs poorly when extremely anxious or completely relaxed.
What is arousal theory?
Jordan fails an important exam and says, “The test was unfair and the teacher didn’t prepare us.” However, when Jordan’s friend fails, Jordan says, “They’re just not smart enough for this class.”
What is the actor-observer bias?
A person believes that “people get what they deserve,” and uses this belief to justify inequality.
What is the just-world phenomenon?
After agreeing to put a small sign in their yard, a homeowner later agrees to install a large, intrusive billboard supporting the same cause.
What is the foot-in-the-door technique?
A student athlete keeps a detailed weekly training schedule, tracks nutrition macros without reminders, and continues practicing drills on their own even after team practice ends. When preparing for exams, they start studying a week in advance and break material into structured daily goals without being prompted. They have this trait.
What is conscientiousness?
A student chooses a challenging course because they are genuinely interested, while another takes it only to improve their college application.
What is intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation?
Two employees receive identical negative feedback. One believes they can improve through effort, while the other believes the feedback reflects an unchangeable flaw.
What is locus of control?
A hiring manager unknowingly favors candidates who share similar backgrounds and assumes they are more qualified.
What is an implicit attitude?
During a class activity, students are asked to give answers aloud. One student is unsure of the correct answer but notices that every other student before them has given the same (incorrect) response. The student goes along with the group, especially because the answers are public and the rest of the class appears unanimous.
What is conformity?
A student channels frustration from a poor test grade into intense training for a sport.
What is sublimation?
A person must choose between two equally appealing colleges but feels significant stress about making the decision.
What is Lewin's approach-approach motivational conflict?
During the first week of school, a student believes that their classmates will not like them. As a result, the student avoids eye contact, rarely participates in conversations, and keeps interactions brief. Over time, classmates stop attempting to engage with the student and perceive them as unfriendly.
What is self-fulfilling prophecy?
A high school athlete claims that “all students in the drama club are basically the same,” describing them as having identical personalities and interests. However, the athlete readily recognizes and appreciates the differences among members of their own sports team.
What is out-group homogeneity bias?
A jury deliberation becomes increasingly extreme in its final decision after group discussion, even though initial opinions were more moderate.
What is group polarization?
A student who feels guilty about not studying for an upcoming quiz tells friends that “everyone is probably just as unprepared and panicking as I am,” even though classmates have been actively reviewing material and expressing confidence.
What is projection?
After smiling during a social interaction, a person begins to feel happier, even if they were initially in a neutral mood.
What is the facial-feedback hypothesis?
After receiving a raise, an employee initially feels satisfied. However, upon learning that several coworkers received larger raises, the employee becomes dissatisfied and resentful, despite earning more than before.
What is relative deprivation?
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, a person continues to deny that the earth is round and only seeks out information that supports their original belief (have to name 2 concepts).
What is belief perseverance + confirmation bias?
A teenager begins to adopt the attitudes and behaviors of their peer group to fit in, even when those behaviors conflict with their personal beliefs.
What is normative social influence?
A student submits a lab report and later receives a brief comment from the teacher that says, “See me after class.” Even though no grade or additional context is given, the student immediately becomes anxious, assumes the worst possible outcome, and has difficulty focusing for the remainder of the school day while repeatedly thinking about potential consequences.
What is neuroticism?
After receiving unexpectedly strong feedback on a presentation, a typically quiet student feels confident and begins brainstorming multiple future project ideas and collaborating more freely in class.
What is the broaden-and-build theory?