Social Psychology

Is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by other people.

Scientific explanations that connect and organize existing observations.

The theoretical viewpoint that searches for the causes of social behavior in influences from larger social groups.

A rule or expectation for appropriate socail behavior.

The beliefs, cutoms, habits, and language shared by the people living in a particular time and place.

A theoretical viewpoint that searches for the causes of social behavior in the physical and psychological predispositions that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

The process by which characteristics that help animals survive and reproduce are passed on to their offsprings.

A characteristic that is well designed for survival and reproduction in a particular environment.

A theoretical viewpoint that focuses on past learning experiences as determionants of a person's social behaviors.

A theoretical viewpoint that focuses on the mental processes involved in paying attention to, interpreting, and remembering social experiences.

1. Social behavior is goal oriented. People interact with one another to achieve some goal or satisfy some inner motivation. 2. Social behavior represents a continual interaction between the person and the situation.

Features or characteristics that individuals carry into social situations.

Environmental events or circumastances outside the person.

1. To establish social ties 2. To understand ourselves and others 3. To gain and maintain status 4. To defend ourselves and those we value 5. To attract and retain mates

A researcher's prediction about what he or she will find.