Attitudes + Actions
A belief or feeling that predisposes someone to respond in a particular way to a person, object, or situation.
What is Attitude?
The overgeneralized belief that all members of a particular group share certain characteristics.
What is Stereotype?
People with whom an individual shares a common identity are called this.
What is In-group?
Searching for evidence that supports what you already believe while overlooking contradictory evidence.
What is Confirmation bais?
People often use stereotypes to simplify social information and reduce demands on their mental resources. What term describes those mental demands?
What is Cognitive load?
Automatic evaluations of people or things that occur without conscious awareness.
What is Implicit attitude/bias?
A student dislikes everyone from a rival school even though they have never met most of them.
What is Prejudice?
A student favors members of their own club over equally qualified students from another club.
What is In-group bias?
Continuing to believe something even after the evidence that originally supported it has been discredited.
What is Belief perseverance?
A student believes members of another group are all alike and then begins treating each of them as though they have identical personalities. Identify the bias and explain how it could contribute to prejudice.
What is Out-group homogeneity bias? Assuming members of an outside group are all alike can encourage overgeneralizations and reinforce stereotypes.
Maya believes school dances are a waste of time, but after attending one, she tells everyone they are actually fun. Which theory could explain this change?
What is Cognitive dissonance theory?
A manager refuses to interview a qualified applicant solely because the applicant belongs to a particular group.
What is Discrimination?
Someone assumes all students at another high school have the same personality, even though they recognize differences among students at their own school.
What is Out-group homogeneity bias?
A student assumes that a classmate who failed an exam must not have studied because people generally get the outcomes they deserve.
What is Just-world phenomenon?
A teacher consciously believes that all students are equally capable. However, without realizing it, the teacher consistently calls on certain students more often and assumes they will give better answers. What psychological concept could explain this difference between the teacher's conscious beliefs and automatic evaluations?
What is Implicit attitudes/bais?
Two people tell others a boring task was enjoyable. One is paid $1 and the other $20. According to Festinger and Carlsmith, which person is more likely to report enjoying it afterward and why?
Who is the person paid $1, because they have less external justification for lying?
After losing a competition, a team blames a particular group of students for everything that went wrong, despite having no evidence.
What is Scapegoat theory?
A person believes their own culture's traditions and values are inherently superior to those of every other culture.
What is Ethnocentrism?
Alex searches only for favorable reviews of a phone. When a trusted positive review is revealed to be fake, Alex still insists the phone is the best. Identify both psychological concepts.
What is...
Confirmation bias: Alex selectively searches for reviews supporting the original belief.
Belief perseverance: Alex maintains the belief even after the supporting evidence is discredited.
A student who strongly opposes cheating helps a friend cheat on a quiz. Later, they convince themselves that helping a friend is more important than following the rules. Explain the psychological process involved.
What is Cognitive dissonance? The student's behavior conflicts with their original beliefs, creating discomfort. They reduce that discomfort by changing their attitude to justify their actions.
After purchasing an expensive jacket she regrets, Leila convinces herself it is worth every penny. Identify the theory and explain the conflict she is resolving.
What is Cognitive dissonance theory. Leila changes her attitude to justify her purchase and reduce the discomfort of regretting her decision?
An employer assumes that younger workers are irresponsible, feels irritated whenever they apply, and refuses to hire them. Identify the stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination.
What is...
Stereotype: Believing younger workers are irresponsible.
Prejudice: Having negative feelings toward younger applicants.
Discrimination: Refusing to hire younger workers.
A student joins a new sports team and quickly develops a strong sense of belonging with their teammates. They begin referring to students on other teams as "outsiders."
What is Out-group bias?
Two students receive the same failing grade. One student is known for frequently missing class, while the other has perfect attendance. A classmate insists that both students must have deserved their grades without considering any other circumstances.
What is Just-world phenomenon?
A coach assumes that a new player will perform poorly. As a result, the coach gives the player less practice time, fewer opportunities, and little encouragement. The player's performance eventually declines, seemingly confirming the coach's original assumption.
What is Self-fulfilling prophecy?