This comprehensive guide covers the key vocabulary terms for AP Psychology Module 8, focusing on social psychology. Understanding these terms is crucial for success in your AP Psychology course and the upcoming exam. We'll break down each term, providing clear definitions and relevant examples to solidify your understanding.
Core Concepts in Social Psychology
This section covers the foundational concepts that underpin many of the specific terms you'll encounter in Module 8.
Social Psychology: The scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. This broad field encompasses a wide range of topics, from individual biases to group dynamics.
Attribution Theory: This theory explains how we interpret and explain the causes of our own and others' behavior. We make attributions based on available information, sometimes leading to errors in judgment.
Fundamental Attribution Error: The tendency to overemphasize dispositional factors (personality traits) and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior. For instance, assuming someone is inherently lazy if they're late, without considering potential traffic issues.
Self-Serving Bias: The tendency to attribute our successes to internal factors (our abilities) and our failures to external factors (bad luck). This protects our self-esteem.
Key Social Influences and Behaviors
This section delves into the specific behaviors and influences explored in Module 8.
Conformity: Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard. Asch's conformity experiments famously demonstrated the power of group pressure.
Obedience: A type of conformity where individuals follow direct commands, usually from an authority figure. Milgram's obedience experiments highlight the surprising extent to which people obey authority, even when it conflicts with their conscience.
Social Facilitation: The improved performance of simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others. The opposite, social impairment, occurs with complex or unfamiliar tasks.
Social Loafing: The tendency for people to exert less effort when working together in a group than when working alone. The larger the group, the greater the loafing.
Deindividuation: The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity. This can lead to impulsive and sometimes antisocial behaviors.
Group Polarization: The enhancement of a group's prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group. Discussions can make already-existing attitudes more extreme.
Groupthink: The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. This can lead to poor decisions.
Bystander Effect: The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present. Diffusion of responsibility plays a significant role.
Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. People often reduce this dissonance by changing their beliefs or behaviors to align.
Stereotypes: Overgeneralized beliefs about a group of people. These can be positive, negative, or neutral, but they often lead to prejudice and discrimination.
Prejudice: An unjustifiable (and usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members. Prejudice involves stereotyped beliefs, negative feelings, and a predisposition to discriminatory action.
Discrimination: Unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members. This is the behavioral component of prejudice.
Scapegoat Theory: The theory that prejudice offers an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame.
Just-World Phenomenon: The tendency for people to believe the world is just and that people therefore get what they deserve and deserve what they get. This can lead to blaming victims.
Applying the Concepts
Understanding these terms is the first step. To truly master the material, apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, news events, or historical examples. Consider how these psychological principles influence everyday interactions and societal issues. Practice explaining different social behaviors using the vocabulary you've learned.
By thoroughly understanding these key terms and their applications, you'll be well-prepared for the AP Psychology exam and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of human social behavior. Remember to consult your textbook and class notes for further clarification and examples.
