Explain some flaws in the study of psychology
Individualistic - We overemphasize the importance of the individual and minimise the importance of social context.
Biological reduction-ism - Tendency to reduce social/psychological factors to being biologically caused
Over-reliance on experimental methods - Lack of understanding of the flaws in experiments.
What would be an intervention strategy with Group Think?
Since the cause of this state is social (something about the interactions within the group caused this) then we would need to change the social process so group cohesiveness isn’t so highly valued. This could maybe look like including a discussion about cons.
Who was Charles Tolman?
Charles Tolman was one of the first social psychologists and he believed that people were not a social. People are fundamentally social beings.
- People are not just influenced or have an influence on…there are other things to consider. He started studying the cause and consequence of sociality.
Define social psychology
Put simply, how we influence others and how they influence us. Or, studying our feelings, thoughts, and behaviours in social contexts. To understand people, we have to look at how they interact with others.
What is group think?
Everyone wants to keep everyone else happy, so decisions are made on this basis. No one is willing/allowed to speak a contradictory view.
What are causal attributions?
This is how we place cause and make sense of events.
What are attributions?
Attributions are an inference about the cause of a person’s behaviour. They are tricky, complex, social, and can have really important consequences.
What is group polarisation?
When the group makes decisions that are more extreme than the opinions that the individuals hold. This usually happens when everyone in the group begins with the same initial tendencies.
Why are attributions important?
Attributions we make often influence what we do next. Most of the attributions we make are unconscious.
What would an intervention strategy for Group Polarisation be?
Again, this problem occurs due to the social process (something about how group members interacted with each other) so we need to change the dynamics of the group. Having someone with contradictory views is valuable as well as making sure everyone feels free to state their opinion.
What is co variation?
Co variation is the idea that a behaviour is linked to a situation. For example, if someone wears boots when it snows and doesn’t wear boots any other time, then their behaviour is linked to that situation.
What is the covariant model?
It was developed by Harold Kelley in 1967 and explains how people determine the causes of behaviour - either attributing it to internal dispositions or external situations.
Give the three factors of the covariant model.
Consensus: Extent towards which other people behave the same way toward the stim as the actor. (Does everyone act this way in this situation? High - Yes, low - No)
Consistency: Extent toward which behaviour between actor and stim is same across people, situations, and time. (Does the person always behave this way in this situation over time? High - same behaviour over time, low- behaviour is unpredictable in this situation
Distinctiveness: Extent to which a particular actor behaves the same way in the same situations. (Does the person behave differently in different situations? High - behaviour is unique to this situation, low- person behaves this way in many situations
What is aggression?
A behaviour who’s intent is to harm, not just physically. (Far broader than violence.)
What is the frustration-aggression hypothesis?
Animals (or people) agress only when their goal is thwarted. (Excusatory definition)
Negative affect theory?
(In Psychology, affect means emotion). A negative affect may cause aggression. You feel bad and then act with aggression. This definition fails to look at social contexts. (Rat shocking study.)
Sex and violence?
Studies have shown that being biologically male is the best predictor of aggression. Males have more testosterone and it inhibits the function of the frontal brain that is involved in inhibitory responses. Males are also more likely to be violent when status or dominance is threatened.
Geography and violence?
Studies have shown that aggression varies by geographical location. Apparently the south is more violent. But there are probably other factors at play, such as culture.
What is the Conflict tactic scale and why is it flawed?
It is a scale used to measure how people handle conflict in close relationships. It supports category thinking and causes us to base conclusions on labels rather than on the actual data and situation we are faced with. (For example, in one case, violence was defined and name-calling and punching…two very different responses.)
Importance of social responses to violence?
Our responses to violence is critical as it can influence whether a person will commit the same act again. People are less likely to be violent if they feel or are faced with negative consequences for their actions. If there are no consequences, they may not feel the need to stop.
Different responses to victims of violence and how that impacts their behaviour?
If there is a negative social response, for example the victim is blamed for what occurred, they may not report future infractions. But, if there is a positive social response, for example, they receive help and support, they are more likely to report future violence.
What is a group?
A collection of people who have something in common.
What is prejudice?
A positive or negative evaluation of another person based on their group membership.
What is discrimination?
A positive or negative behaviour toward another person based on their group membership.
