Define attitude.
A learnt, stable and relatively enduring evaluation of a person, object, event or idea that can affect an individual’s behaviour
Attitudes can be explicit or implicit.
What are explicit attitudes?
- Openly stated attitudes
- Behave in a way that reflects this attitude
Example: Attitude: Exercise is good for my health; Action: Visit the gym daily.
What are implicit attitudes?
- Involuntary
- Uncontrollable
- Sometimes unconscious
Example: Attitude: Moths are harmless; Action: A person screams upon seeing a moth.
What is cognitive dissonance?
An unpleasant feeling of psychological tension that comes when we perceive that our attitudes are inconsistent with our behaviour
People experience cognitive dissonance when they behave in a way that contradicts their attitude.
Who proposed the social identity theory?
Henry Tajfel
States that we use groups to form our social identity and groups are a source of pride and self-esteem.
What are the three components of social identity theory?
- Social categorisation
- Social identification
- Social comparison
These components help us understand how group membership influences identity.
Describe the method used in Tajfel et al.’s (1970) study.
- 64 schoolboys from Bristol, aged 14–15
- Shown paintings by Klee and Kandinsky
- Group assignment was random
Boys allocated points to members of their own group (in-group) or the other group (out-group), showing in-group favoritism.
What is situational attribution?
The assumption that behaviour is the result of external factors
This contrasts with dispositional attribution.
What is dispositional attribution?
The assumption that behaviour is due to personal or internal factors
This contrasts with situational attribution.
What is the fundamental attribution error?
The tendency to overestimate dispositional factors and underestimate situational factors
Investigated by Ross et al. (1977) using a quiz game experiment.
Define confirmation bias.
How we process information to protect our beliefs
This bias affects how we interpret information.
Define self-serving bias.
How we explain outcomes to protect our self-esteem
This bias influences how we attribute successes and failures.
What is a stereotype?
A widely held but oversimplified idea of a particular type of person or thing
Stereotypes can be explained using the tri-component model of attitudes.
Distinguish between prejudice and discrimination.
- Prejudice: An unfounded negative attitude towards a group
- Discrimination: The behaviour that results from prejudice
Prejudice can be based on social differences.
What is sexism?
Prejudice and discrimination based on an individual’s sex
It involves thinking people should act or behave in a particular way due to their sex.
What is ageism?
Prejudice and discrimination based on age
Typically directed towards youth or the elderly, but not restricted to a specific age group.
According to Latané & Darley (1968), what are the cognitive and decision-making steps involved in helping behavior?
- Noticing the event
- Interpreting the event as an emergency
- Accepting personal responsibility
Helping behavior is not automatic and depends on these steps.
In the seizure experiment, how did participants’ responses differ when they were alone compared to when they were in groups?
Participants were quicker to act when alone than in groups
This highlights the impact of group dynamics on intervention.
What is prosocial behavior?
Behavior that benefits other people and society in general
It is also referred to as helping behavior.
List the personal characteristics that influence prosocial behavior.
- Empathy
- Mood
- Competence
- Altruism
These characteristics can affect an individual’s likelihood to help others.
What are some factors that influence antisocial behavior?
- Groupthink
- Diffusion of responsibility
- Audience inhibition
- Social influence
- Cost–benefit analysis
Antisocial behavior is harmful to others and the community.
What does the general aggression model (GAM) explain?
How personal factors, situational factors, and cognitive processes interact to influence aggression
It shows aggression results from individual characteristics and situational triggers.
How can media influence aggression?
- Advertising
- Video games
- Social media
These mediums can shape perceptions and behaviors related to aggression.
According to Leventhal & Krate, what is physical attractiveness a measure of?
Reproductive fitness
It signals the ‘quality’ of a person’s genes.
