Social Behavior
What is obedience?
Changing behavior because someone in authority tells you to.
What are cultural norms?
A group’s shared norms for how people should behave.
What is intelligence?
The ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.
What is homeostasis?
This theory states that behavior is motivated by the desire to maintain internal balance.
What is perception?
The process of organizing and interpreting sensory information.
What is cognitive dissonance?
The discomfort felt when attitudes and behaviors don’t match.
What is social identity?
A person’s sense of belonging to racial, ethnic, or cultural groups.
What is Sternberg’s triarchic theory?
A theory proposing that intelligence includes analytical, creative, and practical components.
What is the James‑Lange theory?
This theory suggests that emotions occur when the body reacts first, followed by emotional awareness.
What is sensory adaptation?
A decrease in sensitivity after constant exposure to a stimulus.
What is deindividuation?
Loss of self‑awareness when in a group, often leading to impulsive behavior.
What is discrimination?
Unequal treatment of individuals based on group membership.
What is validity?
A test that measures what it claims to measure demonstrates this quality.
What is the hypothalamus?
The biological drive that regulates hunger and eating behavior.
What is the vestibular system?
The sensory system responsible for balance and spatial orientation.
What is the fundamental attribution error?
The tendency to attribute others’ behavior to personality rather than the situation.
What is gender socialization?
The idea that gender differences are shaped by societal expectations and roles.
What is eugenics?
Historically, intelligence tests were misused to justify this discriminatory practice.
What is self‑determination theory?
This theory argues that humans are motivated by the need to feel competent and connected.
What is a perceptual illusion?
A false perception or misinterpretation of a real stimulus.
What is group polarization?
When group discussion strengthens the group’s original opinion.
What is psychological research on intergroup relations?
Research that examines how stereotypes and bias affect minority and majority groups.
What is cognitive development or IQ performance?
Environmental factors such as schooling, nutrition, and stimulation influence this aspect of intelligence.
What is the sociocultural perspective on emotion?
The idea that emotions are influenced by culture, gender norms, and display rules.
What are agonists and antagonists?
Drugs that mimic or block neurotransmitters at the synapse.