HomeCategoriesPsychology

Psychology

The science of mind and behavior — cognitive processes, personality, development, social dynamics, and clinical concepts.

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Total terms
9
Subcategories
2 min
Avg. read time
41 terms
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Actor-Observer Bias
This bias refers to the tendency to attribute our own actions to external factors while attributing others' actions to their character. It highlights how perspective influences our understanding of behavior.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
A
Aggression
Aggression is a behavior intended to harm another person or cause damage. It can be physical or verbal and often arises from frustration or perceived threats.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
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Altruism
A selfless concern for the well-being of others defines altruism. It involves actions taken to help others without expecting anything in return.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
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Asch Conformity Experiment
The Asch Conformity Experiment is a study that demonstrates how individuals often conform to group opinions, even when they are clearly incorrect. Conducted by Solomon Asch in the 1950s, it reveals the power of social influence on individual decision-making.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
A
Attitude
Attitude is a person's way of thinking or feeling about something, which can influence their behavior. It is shaped by experiences, beliefs, and emotions, and can be positive, negative, or neutral.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
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Attitude Change
A change in attitude refers to a shift in a person's feelings, beliefs, or evaluations about a particular topic, person, or situation. This change can occur due to new information, experiences, or persuasive communication.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
A
Attribution Theory
Attribution Theory is a psychological concept that explains how people interpret and understand the causes of behavior and events. It focuses on whether individuals attribute outcomes to internal factors, like personality, or external factors, like the situation.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
B
Bystander Effect
The Bystander Effect is a social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present. This occurs because people assume someone else will take action, leading to a diffusion of responsibility.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
C
Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas. This discomfort often leads individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce the inconsistency.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
C
Conformity
Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms or expectations. It often occurs in social settings where individuals feel pressure to fit in or be accepted by others.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
D
Deindividuation
Deindividuation is a psychological state where individuals lose self-awareness and feel less accountable for their actions, often leading to behavior that is inconsistent with their personal norms. This phenomenon typically occurs in group situations, where anonymity and a sense of belonging can overpower individual identity.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
D
Discrimination
Discrimination refers to the unfair treatment of individuals based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability. It involves making judgments or decisions that disadvantage certain groups while favoring others. This behavior can manifest in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and social interactions.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
E
Elaboration Likelihood Model
The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) explains how people process persuasive messages. It suggests that there are two main routes to persuasion: the central route, which involves careful thinking, and the peripheral route, which relies on superficial cues.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
E
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves recognizing emotions and responding with care and compassion.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
F
Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis
The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis suggests that frustration can lead to aggressive behavior. When people feel blocked from achieving their goals, they may respond with anger or aggression as a way to cope with that frustration.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
F
Fundamental Attribution Error
The Fundamental Attribution Error is a tendency to overemphasize personal characteristics and underestimate situational factors when explaining someone else's behavior. This cognitive bias can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments about others.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
I
In-Group / Out-Group
The terms 'In-Group' and 'Out-Group' refer to social groups that people identify with and those they do not. In-Group members share common characteristics or interests, while Out-Group members are seen as different or outside that shared identity.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
I
Informational Influence
Informational influence is a social phenomenon where individuals change their beliefs or behaviors based on the information provided by others. It occurs when people look to others for guidance, especially in uncertain situations.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
I
Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal attraction refers to the positive feelings and preferences we have towards other people. It encompasses the reasons why we are drawn to certain individuals, whether for friendship, romance, or social connections.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
L
Liking
Liking is a positive feeling or affection towards someone or something. It often influences social interactions and relationships, playing a key role in how people connect with each other.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
M
Milgram Experiment
The Milgram Experiment is a psychological study that explores how far people will go in obeying authority figures, even when asked to perform actions that conflict with their personal conscience. Conducted by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s, it revealed the surprising extent to which individuals are willing to follow orders, even if it means harming others.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
N
Normative Influence
This concept refers to the influence that others have on an individual's behavior, primarily to gain social acceptance or avoid rejection. People often conform to the expectations of a group to fit in, even if it goes against their personal beliefs.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
O
Obedience
It is the act of following orders or instructions from an authority figure. People often comply with requests or commands, even if they conflict with their personal beliefs.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
P
Persuasion
Persuasion is the process of influencing someone’s beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors through communication. It involves various techniques to convince others to see things from a different perspective or to take action.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
P
Prejudice
Prejudice refers to an unjustified or negative attitude towards a person or group based on their characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. It often involves stereotypes and can lead to discrimination and social conflict.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
P
Propinquity
This term refers to the physical or psychological proximity between individuals, which can increase the likelihood of forming friendships or romantic relationships. Propinquity suggests that people who are closer to each other in space or social situations are more likely to connect and develop relationships.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
P
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial behavior refers to actions intended to benefit others, such as helping, sharing, or showing kindness. These behaviors are important for building social connections and fostering community well-being.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
R
Reciprocal Liking
This concept refers to the tendency for people to like others who show that they like them back. It plays a significant role in forming friendships and romantic relationships.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
R
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is a social principle where people feel compelled to return favors or kindnesses. It plays a crucial role in building relationships and maintaining social harmony.
BeginnerSocial Psychology1 min
S
Scarcity Principle
The Scarcity Principle is a psychological concept stating that people are more likely to desire something if they perceive it as limited or rare. This principle influences decision-making and behavior, often leading to increased demand for scarce items.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Self-Perception Theory
This theory suggests that people develop their attitudes and beliefs by observing their own behavior and the context in which it occurs. Essentially, individuals infer their feelings and thoughts from how they act and the situations they find themselves in.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Self-Serving Bias
This bias refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors while blaming external factors for their failures. It reflects a way people protect their self-esteem and maintain a positive self-image.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Similarity
Similarity refers to the degree to which two or more things share common characteristics. In psychology, it plays a crucial role in how people form relationships and social connections based on shared traits or experiences.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Facilitation
A psychological phenomenon where people perform better on tasks when they are in the presence of others. This effect occurs especially for simple or well-practiced tasks.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Identity Theory
This theory explains how people categorize themselves and others into groups, which influences their behavior and attitudes. It highlights the importance of group membership in shaping individual identity and social dynamics.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Influence
Social influence is the way people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are affected by others. It can occur through direct interactions or through social norms and expectations.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Loafing
Social loafing is a phenomenon where individuals put in less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone. This behavior often occurs because people feel less accountable in a team setting.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Proof
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where people look to the actions and opinions of others to guide their own behavior. It often occurs in situations where individuals are uncertain about what to do, leading them to follow the crowd.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Social Psychology
A branch of psychology that studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others. It explores how individuals interact within groups and the impact of social contexts on behavior.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford Prison Experiment was a psychological study conducted in 1971 that examined the effects of perceived power in a simulated prison environment. It involved college students taking on the roles of guards and prisoners, leading to unexpected and extreme behaviors. The experiment highlighted the impact of situational factors on human behavior.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min
S
Stereotype
A stereotype is a widely held but oversimplified belief about a particular group of people. It often involves attributing certain characteristics or behaviors to all members of that group, regardless of individual differences.
BeginnerSocial Psychology2 min