Social Psychology - Revision history

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Social Psychology

2026-04-25T01:58:01Z

BloomWiki: Social Psychology

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:58, 25 April 2026
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			<div style="background-color: #4B0082; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
	{{BloomIntro}}		{{BloomIntro}}
	Social Psychology is the scientific study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It bridges the gap between sociology (the study of groups) and psychology (the study of the individual). By exploring concepts like conformity, prejudice, attraction, and group dynamics, social psychology reveals how the social environment "shapes" who we are. It shows that we are not isolated islands of logic, but deeply social creatures whose actions are often driven by the need for belonging, social status, and consensus.		Social Psychology is the scientific study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It bridges the gap between sociology (the study of groups) and psychology (the study of the individual). By exploring concepts like conformity, prejudice, attraction, and group dynamics, social psychology reveals how the social environment "shapes" who we are. It shows that we are not isolated islands of logic, but deeply social creatures whose actions are often driven by the need for belonging, social status, and consensus.
			</div>

	== Remembering ==		__TOC__

			<div style="background-color: #000080; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Remembering</span> ==
	* '''Social Psychology''' — The study of how individuals are influenced by their social environment.		* '''Social Psychology''' — The study of how individuals are influenced by their social environment.
	* '''Attribution Theory''' — How we explain the causes of behavior (Internal vs. External).		* '''Attribution Theory''' — How we explain the causes of behavior (Internal vs. External).
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	* '''Bystander Effect''' — The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.		* '''Bystander Effect''' — The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.
	* '''Altruism''' — Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.		* '''Altruism''' — Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.
			</div>

	== Understanding ==		<div style="background-color: #006400; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
	Social psychology is built on the power of the '''Situation'''.		Social psychology is built on the power of the '''Situation'''.

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	'''In-group/Out-group Bias''': We naturally divide the world into "Us" and "Them." We view our own group as diverse and good, and the other group as "all the same" (Out-group Homogeneity) and suspicious. This is the root of most social conflict.		'''In-group/Out-group Bias''': We naturally divide the world into "Us" and "Them." We view our own group as diverse and good, and the other group as "all the same" (Out-group Homogeneity) and suspicious. This is the root of most social conflict.
			</div>

	== Applying ==		<div style="background-color: #8B0000; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Applying</span> ==
	'''Modeling the 'Bystander Effect' (Diffusion of Responsibility):'''		'''Modeling the 'Bystander Effect' (Diffusion of Responsibility):'''
	<syntaxhighlight lang="python">		<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
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	: '''Public Health''' → Using "Social Norms" messaging (e.g., "9 out of 10 students don't binge drink") to reduce risky behavior.		: '''Public Health''' → Using "Social Norms" messaging (e.g., "9 out of 10 students don't binge drink") to reduce risky behavior.
	: '''Legal System''' → Understanding how "Eyewitness Testimony" can be altered by social pressure or leading questions.		: '''Legal System''' → Understanding how "Eyewitness Testimony" can be altered by social pressure or leading questions.
			</div>

	== Analyzing ==		<div style="background-color: #8B4500; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Analyzing</span> ==
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+ Social Loafing vs. Social Facilitation		\|+ Social Loafing vs. Social Facilitation
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	'''The Fundamental Attribution Error''': When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When ''we'' are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.		'''The Fundamental Attribution Error''': When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When ''we'' are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.
			</div>

	== Evaluating ==		<div style="background-color: #483D8B; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Evaluating</span> ==
	Evaluating social psychological research:		Evaluating social psychological research:
	# '''The Replication Crisis''': Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science.		# '''The Replication Crisis''': Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science.
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	# '''Ecological Validity''': Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis?		# '''Ecological Validity''': Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis?
	# '''Demand Characteristics''': Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?		# '''Demand Characteristics''': Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?
			</div>

	== Creating ==		<div style="background-color: #2F4F4F; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Creating</span> ==
	Future Frontiers:		Future Frontiers:
	# '''Online Social Dynamics''': How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases?		# '''Online Social Dynamics''': How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases?
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	[[Category:Sociology]]		[[Category:Sociology]]
	[[Category:Social Science]]		[[Category:Social Science]]
			</div>

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Social Psychology

2026-04-23T14:37:22Z

BloomWiki: Social Psychology

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 23 April 2026
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	== Evaluating ==		== Evaluating ==
	Evaluating social psychological research: ~~(1)~~ '''The Replication Crisis''': Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science. ~~(2)~~ '''Ethics''': Studies like Milgram's would be impossible today due to the psychological stress they caused participants. ~~(3)~~ '''Ecological Validity''': Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis? ~~(4)~~ '''Demand Characteristics''': Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?		Evaluating social psychological research:
			# '''The Replication Crisis''': Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science.
			# '''Ethics''': Studies like Milgram's would be impossible today due to the psychological stress they caused participants.
			# '''Ecological Validity''': Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis?
			# '''Demand Characteristics''': Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?

	== Creating ==		== Creating ==
	Future Frontiers: ~~(1)~~ '''Online Social Dynamics''': How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases? ~~(2)~~ '''Social Neuropsychology''': Using fMRI to see which brain regions (like the anterior cingulate) fire when we feel "socially rejected." ~~(3)~~ '''AI as a Social Actor''': Do humans treat robots/AI with the same social rules as other humans (The "Media Equation")? ~~(4)~~ '''Collective Intelligence''': Designing social systems (like prediction markets) that harness "The Wisdom of Crowds" while avoiding "Groupthink."		Future Frontiers:
			# '''Online Social Dynamics''': How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases?
			# '''Social Neuropsychology''': Using fMRI to see which brain regions (like the anterior cingulate) fire when we feel "socially rejected."
			# '''AI as a Social Actor''': Do humans treat robots/AI with the same social rules as other humans (The "Media Equation")?
			# '''Collective Intelligence''': Designing social systems (like prediction markets) that harness "The Wisdom of Crowds" while avoiding "Groupthink."

	[[Category:Psychology]]		[[Category:Psychology]]
	[[Category:Sociology]]		[[Category:Sociology]]
	[[Category:Social Science]]		[[Category:Social Science]]

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Social Psychology

2026-04-23T14:28:09Z

BloomWiki: Social Psychology

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 23 April 2026
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	'''The Three Pillars of Social Influence''':		'''The Three Pillars of Social Influence''':
	1. '''Conformity (Asch's Line Study)''': People will often say something they know is wrong just to fit in with a group.		1. '''Conformity (Asch's Line Study)''': People will often say something they ''know'' is wrong just to fit in with a group.
	2. '''Obedience (Milgram's Shock Study)''': Ordinary people can be coerced into performing harmful acts by an authority figure. This research was driven by the desire to understand the Holocaust.		2. '''Obedience (Milgram's Shock Study)''': Ordinary people can be coerced into performing harmful acts by an authority figure. This research was driven by the desire to understand the Holocaust.
	3. '''Roles (Stanford Prison Experiment)''': Phillip Zimbardo showed that people will quickly adopt the behaviors of a "role" (e.g., guard or prisoner) even if it contradicts their true personality. (Note: This study is now highly controversial and partially debunked).		3. '''Roles (Stanford Prison Experiment)''': Phillip Zimbardo showed that people will quickly adopt the behaviors of a "role" (e.g., guard or prisoner) even if it contradicts their true personality. (Note: This study is now highly controversial and partially debunked).
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	\|}		\|}

	'''The Fundamental Attribution Error''': When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When we are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.		'''The Fundamental Attribution Error''': When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When ''we'' are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.

	== Evaluating ==		== Evaluating ==

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Social Psychology

2026-04-23T14:22:12Z

BloomWiki: Social Psychology

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:22, 23 April 2026
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	== Understanding ==		== Understanding ==
	Social psychology is built on the power of the Situation.		Social psychology is built on the power of the '''Situation'''.

	The Three Pillars of Social Influence:		'''The Three Pillars of Social Influence''':
	1. Conformity (Asch's Line Study): People will often say something they know is wrong just to fit in with a group.		1. '''Conformity (Asch's Line Study)''': People will often say something they know is wrong just to fit in with a group.
	2. Obedience (Milgram's Shock Study): Ordinary people can be coerced into performing harmful acts by an authority figure. This research was driven by the desire to understand the Holocaust.		2. '''Obedience (Milgram's Shock Study)''': Ordinary people can be coerced into performing harmful acts by an authority figure. This research was driven by the desire to understand the Holocaust.
	3. Roles (Stanford Prison Experiment): Phillip Zimbardo showed that people will quickly adopt the behaviors of a "role" (e.g., guard or prisoner) even if it contradicts their true personality. (Note: This study is now highly controversial and partially debunked).		3. '''Roles (Stanford Prison Experiment)''': Phillip Zimbardo showed that people will quickly adopt the behaviors of a "role" (e.g., guard or prisoner) even if it contradicts their true personality. (Note: This study is now highly controversial and partially debunked).

	Cognitive Dissonance (Leon Festinger): When we act in a way that doesn't match our values, we feel "itchy" inside. To stop the itch, we either change our behavior or (more often) change our values to justify the behavior. "I know smoking is bad, but it helps me relax."		'''Cognitive Dissonance (Leon Festinger)''': When we act in a way that doesn't match our values, we feel "itchy" inside. To stop the itch, we either change our behavior or (more often) change our values to justify the behavior. "I know smoking is bad, but it helps me relax."

	In-group/Out-group Bias: We naturally divide the world into "Us" and "Them." We view our own group as diverse and good, and the other group as "all the same" (Out-group Homogeneity) and suspicious. This is the root of most social conflict.		'''In-group/Out-group Bias''': We naturally divide the world into "Us" and "Them." We view our own group as diverse and good, and the other group as "all the same" (Out-group Homogeneity) and suspicious. This is the root of most social conflict.

	== Applying ==		== Applying ==
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	\|}		\|}

	The Fundamental Attribution Error: When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When we are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.		'''The Fundamental Attribution Error''': When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When we are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.

	== Evaluating ==		== Evaluating ==
	Evaluating social psychological research: (1) The Replication Crisis: Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science. (2) Ethics: Studies like Milgram's would be impossible today due to the psychological stress they caused participants. (3) Ecological Validity: Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis? (4) Demand Characteristics: Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?		Evaluating social psychological research: (1) '''The Replication Crisis''': Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science. (2) '''Ethics''': Studies like Milgram's would be impossible today due to the psychological stress they caused participants. (3) '''Ecological Validity''': Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis? (4) '''Demand Characteristics''': Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?

	== Creating ==		== Creating ==
	Future Frontiers: (1) Online Social Dynamics: How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases? (2) Social Neuropsychology: Using fMRI to see which brain regions (like the anterior cingulate) fire when we feel "socially rejected." (3) AI as a Social Actor: Do humans treat robots/AI with the same social rules as other humans (The "Media Equation")? (4) Collective Intelligence: Designing social systems (like prediction markets) that harness "The Wisdom of Crowds" while avoiding "Groupthink."		Future Frontiers: (1) '''Online Social Dynamics''': How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases? (2) '''Social Neuropsychology''': Using fMRI to see which brain regions (like the anterior cingulate) fire when we feel "socially rejected." (3) '''AI as a Social Actor''': Do humans treat robots/AI with the same social rules as other humans (The "Media Equation")? (4) '''Collective Intelligence''': Designing social systems (like prediction markets) that harness "The Wisdom of Crowds" while avoiding "Groupthink."

	[[Category:Psychology]]		[[Category:Psychology]]
	[[Category:Sociology]]		[[Category:Sociology]]
	[[Category:Social Science]]		[[Category:Social Science]]

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Social Psychology

2026-04-23T13:34:13Z

BloomWiki: Social Psychology

New page

{{BloomIntro}}
Social Psychology is the scientific study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It bridges the gap between sociology (the study of groups) and psychology (the study of the individual). By exploring concepts like conformity, prejudice, attraction, and group dynamics, social psychology reveals how the social environment "shapes" who we are. It shows that we are not isolated islands of logic, but deeply social creatures whose actions are often driven by the need for belonging, social status, and consensus.

== Remembering ==
* '''Social Psychology''' — The study of how individuals are influenced by their social environment.
* '''Attribution Theory''' — How we explain the causes of behavior (Internal vs. External).
* '''Fundamental Attribution Error''' — The tendency to overestimate personality and underestimate the situation when judging others' behavior.
* '''Conformity''' — Adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
* '''Compliance''' — Changing behavior in response to a direct request.
* '''Obedience''' — Changing behavior in response to a command from an authority figure.
* '''Cognitive Dissonance''' — The mental discomfort felt when holding two conflicting beliefs or when behavior contradicts beliefs.
* '''Groupthink''' — When the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.
* '''Social Facilitation''' — Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.
* '''Social Loafing''' — The tendency for people to exert less effort when working in a group toward a common goal.
* '''Deindividuation''' — The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity (e.g., riots).
* '''Prejudice''' — An unjustifiable (and usually negative) attitude toward a group and its members.
* '''Stereotype''' — A generalized belief about a group of people.
* '''Bystander Effect''' — The tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.
* '''Altruism''' — Unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

== Understanding ==
Social psychology is built on the power of the **Situation**.

**The Three Pillars of Social Influence**:
1. **Conformity (Asch's Line Study)**: People will often say something they *know* is wrong just to fit in with a group.
2. **Obedience (Milgram's Shock Study)**: Ordinary people can be coerced into performing harmful acts by an authority figure. This research was driven by the desire to understand the Holocaust.
3. **Roles (Stanford Prison Experiment)**: Phillip Zimbardo showed that people will quickly adopt the behaviors of a "role" (e.g., guard or prisoner) even if it contradicts their true personality. (Note: This study is now highly controversial and partially debunked).

**Cognitive Dissonance (Leon Festinger)**: When we act in a way that doesn't match our values, we feel "itchy" inside. To stop the itch, we either change our behavior or (more often) change our values to justify the behavior. "I know smoking is bad, but it helps me relax."

**In-group/Out-group Bias**: We naturally divide the world into "Us" and "Them." We view our own group as diverse and good, and the other group as "all the same" (Out-group Homogeneity) and suspicious. This is the root of most social conflict.

== Applying ==
'''Modeling the 'Bystander Effect' (Diffusion of Responsibility):'''
<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
def probability_of_help(num_bystanders):
"""
As the number of people increases, the 'felt'
responsibility of each individual decreases.
P(help) = 1 / (1 + k * (N-1))
"""
k = 0.5 # coefficient of apathy
if num_bystanders < 1: return 0

prob = 1 / (1 + k * (num_bystanders - 1))
return prob

# The 'Kitty Genovese' phenomenon
for n in [1, 2, 5, 10, 50]:
p = probability_of_help(n)
print(f"Bystanders: {n:2d} | Prob of any one person helping: {p*100:4.1f}%")
# This shows why you should point to ONE specific person in an emergency.
</syntaxhighlight>

; Real-World Applications
: '''Marketing''' → Using "Social Proof" (reviews, testimonials) to encourage buying.
: '''Conflict Resolution''' → Using "Superordinate Goals" (common threats) to make opposing groups work together.
: '''Public Health''' → Using "Social Norms" messaging (e.g., "9 out of 10 students don't binge drink") to reduce risky behavior.
: '''Legal System''' → Understanding how "Eyewitness Testimony" can be altered by social pressure or leading questions.

== Analyzing ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Social Loafing vs. Social Facilitation
! Phenomenon !! Task Type !! Result !! Cause
|-
| Facilitation || Easy / Well-learned || Better Performance || Arousal / Presence of others
|-
| Interference || Hard / New || Worse Performance || Evaluation Apprehension
|-
| Loafing || Group Project || Less Effort || Diffusion of Responsibility
|}

**The Fundamental Attribution Error**: When a coworker is late, we think they are "lazy" (Internal). When *we* are late, we think "the traffic was terrible" (External). Analyzing these "attributional biases" is key to reducing organizational conflict and improving interpersonal relationships.

== Evaluating ==
Evaluating social psychological research: (1) **The Replication Crisis**: Many famous social psych studies have failed to replicate in recent years, leading to a "reforming" of the science. (2) **Ethics**: Studies like Milgram's would be impossible today due to the psychological stress they caused participants. (3) **Ecological Validity**: Does a "lab study" with college students (WEIRD samples) really tell us how people act in a real-world crisis? (4) **Demand Characteristics**: Did the participants act that way because they thought it's what the researcher wanted?

== Creating ==
Future Frontiers: (1) **Online Social Dynamics**: How do algorithms create "Echo Chambers" and "Polarization" by exploiting our natural in-group biases? (2) **Social Neuropsychology**: Using fMRI to see which brain regions (like the anterior cingulate) fire when we feel "socially rejected." (3) **AI as a Social Actor**: Do humans treat robots/AI with the same social rules as other humans (The "Media Equation")? (4) **Collective Intelligence**: Designing social systems (like prediction markets) that harness "The Wisdom of Crowds" while avoiding "Groupthink."

[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Sociology]]
[[Category:Social Science]]