MCAT BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (8): Social
Processes, Attitudes, and Behavior
Michelangelo phenomenon - ANS-The concept of self is made up of both the
intrapersonal self, the ideas an individual has regarding his own abilities, traits, and
beliefs; AND, the interpersonal self, the manner in which others influence creation of the
ideal self.
social action (Weber) - ANS-actions and behaviors that individuals are conscious of and
performing because others are around them
social facilitation - ANS-people tend to perform better on simple tasks when in the
presence of others
-idea that people natural exhibit a performance response when they know they are
being watched
Yerkes-Dodson law of social facilitation - ANS-being in presence of others will
significantly raise arousal which ENHANCES ability to perform tasks one is already
good at (SIMPLE tasks) and HINDERS performance of less familiar tasks (COMPLEX
tasks)
deindividuation - ANS-a social phenomenon that occurs in group settings, individual
behavior is extremely different, provides anonymity and causes a loss of individual
identity
antinormative behavior - ANS-behavior against the norm, can be caused by
deindividuation
-more likely to act in a manner that is inconsistent with normal self
(ex. violent behavior in crowds)
bystander effect - ANS-individuals are less likely to intervene and help when others are
present
- likelihood and timeliness of response is inversely related to the number of bystanders
a) less likely to notice danger in groups (rude to watch strangers)
b) people take cues from others, no response makes individual less likely to perceive
the situation as an emergency
c) degree of responsibility fee by bystander is less
, social loafing - ANS-the tendency of individuals to put in less effort when in a group
setting than individually
(ex. group project, carrying heavy object)
peer pressure - ANS-social influence placed on an individual by a group of people or
another individual
peers - ANS-individuals who are equals within a social group
-important in adolescence for determining lifestyle, appearance, and social activities
identity shift effect - ANS-when an individual's state of harmony is disrupted by a threat
of social rejection, the individual will often conform to the norms of the group
-internal conflict -> identity shift to adopt the standard of the group as their own
cognitive dissonance - ANS-the simultaneous presence of two opposing thoughts or
opinions
-internal state of discomfort: anxiety, fear, anger or confusion
social interaction - ANS-behavior between two or more people who take one another
into account
a) group processes
b) establishment of culture
group polarization - ANS-the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more
extreme than any member would have made alone
-riskier or more cautious decisions are made
-individuals in a group form opinions that are more extreme than if they were making the
decision alone
(at individual level)
***policy making, violence, terrorism, jury deliberation
risky shift - ANS-groups tend to make riskier decisions than individuals
choice shift - ANS-tendency for groups to make decisions that appear more extreme
than the decisions group members would have made on their own (at group level)
Groupthink - ANS-social phenomenon in which desire for harmony or conformity results
in a group of people coming to an incorrect or poor decision
Processes, Attitudes, and Behavior
Michelangelo phenomenon - ANS-The concept of self is made up of both the
intrapersonal self, the ideas an individual has regarding his own abilities, traits, and
beliefs; AND, the interpersonal self, the manner in which others influence creation of the
ideal self.
social action (Weber) - ANS-actions and behaviors that individuals are conscious of and
performing because others are around them
social facilitation - ANS-people tend to perform better on simple tasks when in the
presence of others
-idea that people natural exhibit a performance response when they know they are
being watched
Yerkes-Dodson law of social facilitation - ANS-being in presence of others will
significantly raise arousal which ENHANCES ability to perform tasks one is already
good at (SIMPLE tasks) and HINDERS performance of less familiar tasks (COMPLEX
tasks)
deindividuation - ANS-a social phenomenon that occurs in group settings, individual
behavior is extremely different, provides anonymity and causes a loss of individual
identity
antinormative behavior - ANS-behavior against the norm, can be caused by
deindividuation
-more likely to act in a manner that is inconsistent with normal self
(ex. violent behavior in crowds)
bystander effect - ANS-individuals are less likely to intervene and help when others are
present
- likelihood and timeliness of response is inversely related to the number of bystanders
a) less likely to notice danger in groups (rude to watch strangers)
b) people take cues from others, no response makes individual less likely to perceive
the situation as an emergency
c) degree of responsibility fee by bystander is less
, social loafing - ANS-the tendency of individuals to put in less effort when in a group
setting than individually
(ex. group project, carrying heavy object)
peer pressure - ANS-social influence placed on an individual by a group of people or
another individual
peers - ANS-individuals who are equals within a social group
-important in adolescence for determining lifestyle, appearance, and social activities
identity shift effect - ANS-when an individual's state of harmony is disrupted by a threat
of social rejection, the individual will often conform to the norms of the group
-internal conflict -> identity shift to adopt the standard of the group as their own
cognitive dissonance - ANS-the simultaneous presence of two opposing thoughts or
opinions
-internal state of discomfort: anxiety, fear, anger or confusion
social interaction - ANS-behavior between two or more people who take one another
into account
a) group processes
b) establishment of culture
group polarization - ANS-the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more
extreme than any member would have made alone
-riskier or more cautious decisions are made
-individuals in a group form opinions that are more extreme than if they were making the
decision alone
(at individual level)
***policy making, violence, terrorism, jury deliberation
risky shift - ANS-groups tend to make riskier decisions than individuals
choice shift - ANS-tendency for groups to make decisions that appear more extreme
than the decisions group members would have made on their own (at group level)
Groupthink - ANS-social phenomenon in which desire for harmony or conformity results
in a group of people coming to an incorrect or poor decision
