Chapter 1

Question 1

What is social psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of the feelings, thoughts, and
behaviors of individuals in social situations.
OR
The scientific attempt to understand and explain how the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual or perceived feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of others.

Question 2

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Answer 2

The tendency to underestimate situational influences on behavior and to overestimate the influence of personal dispositions.

Question 3

Our construals are often _____ and _____.

Answer 3

automatic, non-conscious

Question 4

What are the 5 big ideas of chapter 1?

Answer 4

1. Situations are powerful
2. We often fail to appreciate the power of the situation
3. We don’t see situations and people as they are
4. People have a need to belong
5. The best way to understand social behavior is to use the scientific method