Crash Course Social Psychology

What does social psychology focus on?

• The influence of personality traits on behavior

• The impact of cognitive functions on individual actions

• How situations influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors among people

• The study of mental disorders and their treatment

What is the fundamental attribution error?

• Assuming that people's actions are always consistent with their beliefs

• Underestimating the impact of personality traits on behavior

• Overestimating the impact of personality and underestimating the situation in explaining behavior

• Believing that situational factors are the sole drivers of human behavior

What phenomenon suggests that agreeing to a small request increases the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request later?

• Foot-in-the-door phenomenon

• Central route persuasion

• Peripheral route persuasion

• Cognitive dissonance

What was a key finding from the Stanford Prison Experiment?

• Cognitive dissonance is easily resolved in high-stress environments

• Situational factors can override individual differences in personality

• Personality traits are the best predictors of behavior in prison-like conditions

• All individuals have an inherent tendency towards cruelty in positions of power

According to cognitive dissonance theory, what do individuals experience when their thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors are inconsistent?

• A sense of relief

• Increased confidence in their beliefs

• Discomfort or tension

• A change in personality