Social Cognition
When we attribute others' successes to luck but our own to skill, what cognitive bias is this?
Self-serving bias
In Milgram's study, what technique did the experimenter use to increase obedience by increasing shocks in small increments?
foot-in-the-door" techniqu
According to Freud, which part of personality operates on the reality principle and mediates between the id and superego?
Ego
Name one internal factor and one external factor that can influence motivation
(Internal) biological need, genetic predisposition, cognition / (External) incentives, cultural norms, social pressures
Which hormone, released by fat cells, primarily signals satiety (fullness) to the brain?
leptin
A person habitually explains negative events as permanent, pervasive, and personal. What is this explanatory style?
Pessimistic explanatory style
What is it called when individuals exert less effort in a group because they feel their personal responsibility is diffused?
social loafing
Carl Rogers believed unconditional acceptance is vital for healthy development. What did he call this?
unconditional positive regard
Describe the core idea of the facial feedback hypothesis.
Facial movements can influence our emotional experience (e.g., smiling can make you feel happier)
Which hormone, primarily released by an empty stomach, stimulates appetite?
ghrelin
What is the phenomenon where mere repeated exposure to a stimulus increases our liking for it?
mere exposure effect
Name two conditions that make "groupthink" more likely to occur.
(Any two) High group cohesion, strong directive leadership, insulation from outside opinions, high stress, lack of norms for procedure.
Transforming unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors (like channeling aggression into sports) is which defense mechanism?
Sublimation
According to the broaden-and-build theory, how do positive emotions differ from negative ones in their effect on cognition and action?
Positive emotions broaden thought-action repertoires and build resources; negative emotions narrow focus.
Anorexia nervosa is often characterized by a distorted perception. What do individuals with this disorder typically misperceive?
Their own body weight or shape.
When our expectations about others lead us to behave in ways that make those expectations come true, what is this called?
Self-fulfilling prophecy
How does the "door-in-the-face" compliance technique differ from "foot-in-the-door" in the order of requests?
Door-in-the-face starts with a large request, then retreats to a smaller one. Foot-in-the-door starts with a small request, then makes a larger one.
In the Big Five model, which trait dimension involves imagination, curiosity, and appreciation for art?
Openness to experience
While emotional expression may be universal, what is the term for the culture-specific rules that govern how and when emotions are displayed?
display rules
How does bulimia nervosa typically differ from anorexia nervosa in terms of body weight?
Individuals with bulimia nervosa are often within a normal weight range or above, whereas those with anorexia nervosa are significantly underweight.
How does relative deprivation arise from social comparison? Explain using upward and downward comparison.
Relative deprivation is the perception that one is worse off than others. It typically stems from upward comparison (comparing oneself to those better off). Downward comparison (to those worse off) can reduce feelings of deprivation.
Explain two psychological reasons why the "bystander effect" occurs.
1. Diffusion of responsibility (thinking others will help). 2. Social influence/pluralistic ignorance (looking to others' inaction to define the situation as a non-emergency).
Compare how social-cognitive and trait theories of personality primarily explain the cause of behavior.
Social-cognitive theories focus on the interaction between personal factors (cognition), behavior, and the environment. Trait theories focus on describing and categorizing stable, internal dispositions that cause behavior.
What is the difference between James-Lange theory and Cannon-Bard Theory about emotion?
James-Lange: Emotions are the result of our bodily reactions
Cannon-Bard: Physiological arousal and emotional experience occur at the same time but independently
A student argues, "The rise in eating disorders is purely caused by social media promoting unrealistic body images." Using your understanding of biopsychosocial factors, critique this single-cause explanation. What important influences might it overlook?
It overlooks genetic predispositions, neurobiological factors (e.g., regulation of serotonin), comorbid psychological conditions (e.g., anxiety, perfectionism), and family dynamics, reducing a complex disorder to a single social factor.