Social Psychology
What 3 forces cause us to conform to what others are doing?
Social contagion, the chameleon effect, social norms
True or false: Most people who have depression attempt suicide.
False
In what stage of sleep does dreaming occur?
REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep
True or false: "Nature" is usually a better explanation for behavior than "nurture".
False--nature and nurture are not in competition. Instead, they interact.
Give 2 reasons why we might go along with something we know is wrong.
Authority figure is close, its coming from a prestigious institution, the victim is distant, we have no role model for defiance, we have been convinced to do gradually worse things over time (foot-in-the-door technique)
Risk factor
What's the difference between depressant and stimulant drugs?
Depressants slow down the central nervous system, leading to reduced neural activity, relaxation, and impaired judgment (e.g., alcohol, benzodiazepines). Stimulants increase neural activity, boosting alertness, energy, and mood (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, cocaine).
Why do we mean by “nature-nurture interaction”?
Nature–nurture interaction means that genetic factors and environmental influences work together to shape behavior and development. Genes may create certain potentials or tendencies, but experiences determine how and whether those tendencies are expressed.
What social psychology phenomenon does the case of Kitty Genovese illustrate?
The bystander effect
Give 2 pros and 2 cons of diagnosis
Pros: access to care, feels validating, allows research and communication between therapists
Cons: stigma and discrimination, risk of over-pathologizing normal stress, can create a self-fulfilling prophecy
Inattentional blindness is the failure to notice a visible object or event because your attention is focused on something else.
What are 3 areas related to behavior (discussed in class) in which men and women show differences?
Aggression patterns, level of social dominance, and level of social connectedness
What is social exchange theory and how does it influence behavior?
Social exchange theory proposes that people make decisions in relationships by weighing the potential rewards (like approval, support, or benefits) against the potential costs (such as effort, time, or conflict). According to the theory, individuals tend to act in ways that maximize rewards and minimize costs.
What do we mean when we say depression is an "internalizing disorder"?
Depression involves directing distress inward—such as sadness, withdrawal, and negative thoughts—rather than outward behaviors like aggression or rule-breaking
What do we mean by "parallel processing"?
Parallel processing refers to the brain’s ability to handle multiple streams of information at once, and it happens on both conscious and unconscious tracks. The unconscious track processes routine information automatically—like recognizing patterns or guiding well-practiced actions—while the conscious track handles deliberate, effortful processing.
What’s the difference between a "tight" culture and a "loose" culture and how might this affect people's behavior?
“Tight” cultures have strong social norms and low tolerance for deviance, so people tend to behave in more controlled, rule-following ways. “Loose” cultures have more flexible norms and greater tolerance for differences, so people are more likely to act freely and express individuality.
How does the Asch line study contribute to our understanding of how conformity works?
That people will often conform to a group’s clearly incorrect answer due to social pressure, demonstrating the powerful influence of normative social influence on behavior
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and how is it useful in treating depression?
It's a type of therapy that helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, and is useful in treating depression by reducing distorted thinking and encouraging healthier actions and coping strategies
Describe 2 theories of why we dream
Freud’s wish fulfillment: dreams = disguised desires.
Information processing: helps us organize daily experiences, consolidate learning.
Activation-synthesis: neural activity spreads up the brainstem activity sparks random images; brain tries to make sense of them → dream story
Cognitive development: dreams simulate reality and draw on our concepts and knowledge; act as "workspace" for trying new behaviors safely
Neurocognitive function: Cognitive functions (e.g., memory, emotion, perception, imagination) running in an unusual brain state, dreaming is like our mind ‘wandering’ but we’re just asleep
What is the role of genetic variation in human evolution, and how does it create human diversity?
Genetic variation is differences in DNA that arise from mutation and reproduction; it drives evolution by allowing natural selection to favor certain traits. Some variations improve survival or reproduction, so they become more common over generations. Others persist simply by chance, adding to the diversity within a population.