Social Relations Notes

Social Relations

• Prejudice
• Unjustifiable attitude toward a group of people
• Usually involves stereotypes (Generalized belief about a group of people)
• Social Inequalities
• Ingroup: “Us”- People with whom one shares a common identity
• Outgroup: “Them”- Those perceived as different than one’s group
• Ingroup Bias: The tendency to favor one’s own group

• Scapegoat Theory
• The theory that prejudice provides an outlet for anger by providing someone to blame
• Just-World Phenomenon
• Belief that those who suffer deserve their fate
• Aggression
• Any physical or verbal behavior intended to hurt or destroy
• In the US we are much more likely to be murdered compared to most other developed nations
• Frustration-Aggressive Principle:
• The blocking of an attempt to achieve some goal
• Creates anger which generates aggression
• Hotter the weather, more aggression and crimes
• Can be learned to be aggressive or gentle, but they can be difficult to change
• Conflict
• A perceived incompatibility of actions, goals or ideas
• Attraction
• Factors of Attraction:
• Proximity- Geographic Nearness
• Mere Exposure Effect- Repeated exposure to something breeds liking
• Reciprocal Liking- You are more likely to like someone who likes you
• Except in Elementary School
• Similarity- Opposites do not attract
• Similarity breeds content
• Birds of the same feather do flock together
• Liking Through Association- Classical Conditioning can play a part in attraction
• May confuse nice waitress with good food at restaurant
• Physical Attraction
• The Hotty Factor- Physically attractiveness predicts dating frequency (they date more)
• They are perceived as healthier, happier, more honest and successful than less attractive counterparts
• Beauty and Culture
• Love
• Passionate Love: An aroused state of intense positive absorption of another
• Compassionate Love: The deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined
• What makes Compassionate Love work?
• Equity: Equality
• Self-Disclosure: Ability to talk with spouse about anything
• Altruism: Unselfish regard for the welfare of others
• Bystander Effect- Willing to help if there are other bystanders around
• Social Exchange Theory
• The idea that our social behavior is an exchange process, which we maximize benefits and minimize cost
• Peacemaking
• Give people superordinate (shared) goals that can only be achieved through cooperation