Exam 1: What Is Social Psychology
"People who do crazy things are not necessarily crazy." Explain the meaning of this statement and how it is relevant to a social-psychological perspective on understanding social behavior. What are some of the drawbacks of explaining unpleasant behavior by labeling it as sadistic or crazy?
The statement "People who do crazy things are not necessarily crazy" suggests that individuals who engage in unusual or extreme behavior may not have a mental illness or be inherently irrational. Instead, their actions may be influenced by a variety of social, cultural, and situational factors. From a social-psychological perspective, this statement is relevant because it emphasizes the importance of considering the context in which behavior occurs and the influence of social norms, peer pressure, and other external factors on individual actions.
Labeling unpleasant behavior as sadistic or crazy can have several drawbacks. First, it can oversimplify complex psychological and social dynamics, leading to a lack of understanding of the underlying causes of the behavior. This can perpetuate stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental illness or those who engage in unconventional behavior. Additionally, labeling behavior as sadistic or crazy can lead to a dismissal of the role of social and environmental factors in shaping behavior, which can hinder efforts to address the root causes of such behavior and prevent future occurrences.
Furthermore, using these labels can also lead to a lack of empathy and compassion towards individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues or facing difficult circumstances. It can also perpetuate a sense of "us versus them" mentality, further dividing individuals and communities.
In conclusion, the statement "People who do crazy things are not necessarily crazy" highlights the need to consider the broader social and psychological context when trying to understand and address unpleasant behavior. By moving away from simplistic labels and instead focusing on the complex interplay of individual, social, and environmental factors, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of human behavior and work towards creating a more empathetic and supportive society.
According to the hindsight bias you would predict which of the following results?
B
In your own words, what is Aronson's definition of social psychology? Give an example of behavior that social psychologists would be interested in studying.
Aronson's definition of social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations. It focuses on understanding how people are influenced by the presence of others and how they perceive and interact with the social world around them.
An example of behavior that social psychologists would be interested in studying is conformity. Conformity is the tendency for individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors in order to fit in with a group. Social psychologists would be interested in understanding the factors that influence conformity, such as group size, unanimity, and social norms. They would also study the impact of conformity on individual decision-making and behavior in various social situations.
The circumstances surrounding the Abu Ghraib prison in which American soldiers abused Iraqi detainees resembles the situation in Zimbardo's prison study. Generalizing from this study, the guards' behaviors could be explained as a result of:
Describe three advantages that professional social psychologists have over amateurs.
According to "Aronson's first law," people who do crazy things:
Our tendency to overestimate our powers of prediction once we know the outcome of a given event is known as:
In his or her attempts to understand human social behavior, the professional social psychologist has the advantage of being able to:
You and a friend are watching the news and hear a report about a murder in New York City, witnessed by dozens of bystanders-none of whom attempted to help the victim or even telephone the police. Your friend expresses utter disgust at this incident, remarking "People who live in big cities have no compassion for others. They lack fundamental decency-all they care about is themselves." Your friend's remark best reflects:
Is social psychology simply common sense? Why or why not? Why is it important to conduct scientific investigations of hypotheses about social behavior?
In Zimbardo's prison study, how were subjects assigned the role of prisoner or guard?
After the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Joe tells Mary that he knew all along Barack Obama would be elected. This is an example of:
Explaining unpleasant behavior by labeling people "crazy" or "sadistic":
Aronson uses the example of Seymour's advice to his younger brother, Buddy, from a short story by Salinger, to suggest that:
Aronson maintains that "one of the by-products of excessive caution is excessive self-consciousness." In the context of conducting research, this statement means that:
What does Aronson mean when he says that science is a "self-corrective enterprise"?
Aronson invokes James' notion of a "leap of faith" to argue that:
According to Darwyn Linder, which of the following is NOT a function of journals in science?
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