Midterm 1: Introduction
Social psychology
The scientific attempt to understand how the feelings, behaviours and thoughts of an individual can be influenced by the real or imaginary existance of others.
"Hell is other people"
Other's don't just influence what we do, but who we are.
The idea that there is no self-perception independent from the influence of others, that our own identity are determined from how others see us.
Reasons why social psychology needs to be studied
1. A lot of social psychology is counter-intuitive and goes against logic thought.
2. There are a lot of underlying, unconcious proccesses that could influence behaviour.
Affective forcasting and its corresponding concept
The prediction of what we might feel after a certain event that guides what we do as we go with the decisions that we think will bring us the most happiness.
However, we are often wrong and this is often not the case.
Concept: psychology is counter-intuitive
The Ultinatium Game and its concepts
People are given money to share with someone else. If the other party accepts, they can keep the money. Logically, it is best to agree to the agreement no matter the amount offered but people often reject it if they are offered less than half.
Concept: psychology is often counter-intuitive
How people vote and its corresponding concept
People should be making their decisions on voting logically, but it is found that people who are more easily disgusted tend to vote conservatively. If studied why, it could greatly impact voting patterns and behaviour.
Basic logic of evolution
Variation: there are different types of traits. Some are better than others.
Competition: individuals fight for the right of survival and reproduction.
Heredity: traits gets passed down to children.
Parental Investment Theory and its corresponding concept
The idea that the sex for whom it takes more effort to be a parent will be the choosier sex when it comes to mating because they have to committ more on their offspring so they want to make sure it inherits the best genes for survival.
True for humans as well as other animals.
Corresponding concepts: evolution impacts social psychology.