Social Psychology – Myers
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Social Psychologists explore human connections by scientifically studying how we think about, influence,
and relate to one another
attribution theory the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or
the person's disposition
fundamental attribution error the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate
the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
central route persuasion -attitude change path in which interested people focus on the arguments and
respond with favorable thoughts
-less superficial and more thoughtful --> more durable and more likely to influence
behavior
peripheral route persuasion attitude change path in which people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a
speaker's attractiveness
foot-in-the-door phenomenon the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later
with a larger request
role a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the
position ought to behave
Zimbardo Prison Study -In one famous laboratory study, male college students volunteered to spend time in
a simulated prison
-Some he randomly designated as guards; he gave them uniforms, billy clubs, and
whistles and instructed them to enforce certain rules. The remainder became
prisoners; they were locked in barren cells and forced to wear humiliating outfits
-After a day or two in which the volunteers self-consciously "played" their roles, the
simulation became real—too real. Most of the guards developed disparaging
attitudes, and some devised cruel and degrading routines. One by one, the
prisoners broke down, rebelled, or became passively resigned, causing Zimbardo to
call off the study after only six days
cognitive dissonance theory the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are
inconsistent. For example, when our awareness of our attitudes and of our actions
clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes
chameleon effect Unconsciously mimicking others' expressions, postures, and voice tones helps us
feel what they are feeling.
conformity adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
normative social influence influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
2026 | Study Guide,
Practice Questions,
Answers, Rationales &
Exam Review | Complete
Ethics Study Guide
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, Social Psychologists explore human connections by scientifically studying how we think about, influence,
and relate to one another
attribution theory the theory that we explain someone's behavior by crediting either the situation or
the person's disposition
fundamental attribution error the tendency for observers, when analyzing another's behavior, to underestimate
the impact of the situation and to overestimate the impact of personal disposition
central route persuasion -attitude change path in which interested people focus on the arguments and
respond with favorable thoughts
-less superficial and more thoughtful --> more durable and more likely to influence
behavior
peripheral route persuasion attitude change path in which people are influenced by incidental cues, such as a
speaker's attractiveness
foot-in-the-door phenomenon the tendency for people who have first agreed to a small request to comply later
with a larger request
role a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the
position ought to behave
Zimbardo Prison Study -In one famous laboratory study, male college students volunteered to spend time in
a simulated prison
-Some he randomly designated as guards; he gave them uniforms, billy clubs, and
whistles and instructed them to enforce certain rules. The remainder became
prisoners; they were locked in barren cells and forced to wear humiliating outfits
-After a day or two in which the volunteers self-consciously "played" their roles, the
simulation became real—too real. Most of the guards developed disparaging
attitudes, and some devised cruel and degrading routines. One by one, the
prisoners broke down, rebelled, or became passively resigned, causing Zimbardo to
call off the study after only six days
cognitive dissonance theory the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are
inconsistent. For example, when our awareness of our attitudes and of our actions
clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes
chameleon effect Unconsciously mimicking others' expressions, postures, and voice tones helps us
feel what they are feeling.
conformity adjusting one's behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard
normative social influence influence resulting from a person's desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
