Psychology 001 Introduction to Psychology Christopher Gade, PhD Office: 621 Heafey Office hours: F 3-6 and by apt. Class WF 7:00-8:30 Heafey 650

In Class Activity For the next five minutes, we will split the class into halves and have you write mini- essays. I’ll detail the specifics now. For the next five minutes, we will split the class into halves and have you write mini- essays. I’ll detail the specifics now.

The world of social psychology Social psychologists examine the world from a number of angles. Their goal is to study the interaction of people with and within their environment. This can be done in a number of different ways. Social psychologists examine the world from a number of angles. Their goal is to study the interaction of people with and within their environment. This can be done in a number of different ways. The next few classes will cover some of the major perspectives taken by social psychologists in today’s world. The next few classes will cover some of the major perspectives taken by social psychologists in today’s world. Forming perceptions of others Forming perceptions of others Developing opinions and changing these opinions Developing opinions and changing these opinions The influence of others on us and the group The influence of others on us and the group The effects of influence on society and its extremes The effects of influence on society and its extremes

Forming perceptions of others There are a number of critical questions that are raised when discussing the formation of perceptions. There are a number of critical questions that are raised when discussing the formation of perceptions. When are these perceptions formed? When are these perceptions formed? Do we form perceptions of groups in the same way that we form perceptions of individuals? Do we form perceptions of groups in the same way that we form perceptions of individuals? Can and how do we change these perceptions? Can and how do we change these perceptions? Are our perceptions of others formed in the same way as our perceptions of ourselves? Are our perceptions of others formed in the same way as our perceptions of ourselves?

When are our perceptions of others formed? Primacy effect – the first information learned about someone influences us more that later information Primacy effect – the first information learned about someone influences us more that later information This means that first impressions are very important. This means that first impressions are very important. Why is this the case? Why is this the case? Self-fulfilling prophecies – expectations that change one’s own behavior in such a way as to increase the probability of the predicted event. Self-fulfilling prophecies – expectations that change one’s own behavior in such a way as to increase the probability of the predicted event. The beautiful people example The beautiful people example The Pygmalion effect The Pygmalion effect 11:50-13:50 11:50-13:50

Stereotypes and Prejudices In the same way that we form perceptions of individuals, we also form perceptions of groups. In the same way that we form perceptions of individuals, we also form perceptions of groups. Stereotypes – a generalized belief or expectation about a group of people. Stereotypes – a generalized belief or expectation about a group of people. Stereotypes can be both bad and good. Stereotypes can be both bad and good. Stereotypes are often beneficial and necessary. Stereotypes are often beneficial and necessary. Prejudice – an unfavorable attitude toward a group of people. Prejudice – an unfavorable attitude toward a group of people. Prejudices can be based on almost anything imaginable and be learned in a very short period of time. Prejudices can be based on almost anything imaginable and be learned in a very short period of time. 5:47-11:48 5:47-11:48 Discrimination – unequal treatment of different groups. Discrimination – unequal treatment of different groups.

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How do we detect and overcome prejudices? Some implicit measures have been used to get at prejudices that are not seen as socially acceptable. Some implicit measures have been used to get at prejudices that are not seen as socially acceptable. IAT (we already discussed this in the last section of class) IAT (we already discussed this in the last section of class) Despite the predominance of prejudices in our society, researchers have contended that there are ways to reduce the influences of prejudices in our society. Despite the predominance of prejudices in our society, researchers have contended that there are ways to reduce the influences of prejudices in our society. More exposure More exposure Common goals Common goals Robber’s cave example Robber’s cave example

So how do we form perceptions of others and ourselves? Attributions - the set of thought processes we use to assign causes to behavior. Attributions - the set of thought processes we use to assign causes to behavior. Internal attributions – explaining behaviors based on the internal characteristics of the person in question. Internal attributions – explaining behaviors based on the internal characteristics of the person in question. External attributions – explaining behaviors based on the situation and surrounding environment. External attributions – explaining behaviors based on the situation and surrounding environment.

Attribution tendencies we have when describing the behavior of others? Fundamental attribution error – our tendency to attribute behaviors to internal attributions when looking at the behaviors of others. Fundamental attribution error – our tendency to attribute behaviors to internal attributions when looking at the behaviors of others. Pro/Anti-Castro essay example Pro/Anti-Castro essay example Differences amongst cultures Differences amongst cultures 1:50-5:00 1:50-5:00

Is our attribution tendencies different for ourselves? Actor-observer effect – the tendency to make internal attributions for others, while making external attributions for ourselves. Actor-observer effect – the tendency to make internal attributions for others, while making external attributions for ourselves. This actor effect can be found in the descriptions of familiar others as well. This actor effect can be found in the descriptions of familiar others as well. Self/Family Member/Walter Cronkite example Self/Family Member/Walter Cronkite example Self-serving bias – the tendency to attribute personal failures to the situation, while attributing personal successes to the ourselves. Self-serving bias – the tendency to attribute personal failures to the situation, while attributing personal successes to the ourselves.

So what have we learned? How and when perceptions of others are formed. How and when perceptions of others are formed. The shortcomings of and ways to reduce the pervasiveness of these perceptions. The shortcomings of and ways to reduce the pervasiveness of these perceptions. Our attribution tendencies of ourselves and others. Our attribution tendencies of ourselves and others.

In the next class… Attitudes, persuasion, and conformity. Attitudes, persuasion, and conformity. Note: there’s additional information about attraction and altruism in the book, if you’re interested, read about it. Note: there’s additional information about attraction and altruism in the book, if you’re interested, read about it.